RELEVANCE OF BIBLICAL COUNSELLING IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY OF PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS OF ASHANTI REGION

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the relevance of biblical counselling in contemporary

society of Pentecostal churches in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ashanti Region. The

study sought to provide an insight into the effectiveness of biblical counselling.

The methodology used to select participants for the study consisted of stratified

random sampling, proportional ratio, simple random sampling and selection of the

table of random numbers methods.

The Population of the study consisted of thirty-four Pentecostal

denominations with seven hundred branches within Kumasi Metropolis. The

sample consisted of two hundred and thirty respondents from twenty-three

selected branches within nine selected Pentecostal denominations. Pilot-testing of

instrument was done at Ejisu to determine reliability coefficient which was

0 .8526

The main instruments for the research were the questionnaire (Twentyseven

items) and an interview (sixteen items). Five weeks were used to

administer and collect the question and conduct the interview. Statistical Package

for the Social Sciences (S P S S) computer software was used to analyse the data.

84.6% of the respondents attempted the questionnaire and answered correctly.

The studies revealed among other things that majority of the Pentecostal

counsellors do not have formal counselling training and besides most of the

churches do not organise any in-service training for their counsellors. Based on

the findings of the study, it is recommended among other things that the Head of

Regional Denominations should organise refresher courses for their counsellors.