CHURCH INVOLVEMENT IN ERADICATION OF EXCESSIVE ALCOHOLCONSUMPTION: A CASE OF THE FULL GOSPEL CHURCH, BARINGOCENTRAL, SUB- COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Excessive consumption of alcohol is a critical issue that affects the lives of many people
including church family members. This puts into question the very beliefs, faith and teachings
of the church on alcohol consumption. The study investigated the involvement of the church in
eradication of excessive alcohol consumption among christian family members, taking the case
of Full Gospel Church in Baringo Central sub- County Baringo County, Kenya. The objective
of the paper is to establish the strategies put by the church to eradicate the consumption of
excessive alcohol among Christian family members. It used a questionnaire to collect data from
participants who include 175 church elders and members and these participants were selected
using sample random procedure. The discussion is fundamentally informed by community
faith-based functional approach and phenomenological method of the church which provides
insights into the mission of the christian church in dealing with community issues that affect
her integrity. The discussion in the study advocates for an ontological turn in regard to
consumption of alcohol; a turn which underlines the notable place of eradication of the
excessive alcohol consumption among christian family members. The study raises candid in
community based issues about christians‟ behavior towards alcohol and respectively how they
can live their faith among societal and secular influences for alcohol consumption, while
advocating for homegrown solutions to the problem. The finding showed that the church is
carrying with an outreach services like guiding and counseling, crusading, preaching and
educating christian family members. The study recommended that the church should commit
herself fully in finding viable ways to evangelize those involved in the menace.