Assessing Intra-Faith Cohesion in Nigeria through Group Communication: The Gombe Community Score Card Project!

Abstract

Commentators on religion often paint intra-faith intolerance with the brush of indoctrination of members. However, there is little data on the real issues responsible for the menace. This quantitative and qualitative survey, “Assessing Intra-Faith Cohesion in Nigeria through Group Communication: The Gombe Community Score Card Project,” the outcome of an intra-faith focus group discussion which was funded by a consortium of The Kukah Centre, Development Initiative for West Africa, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and Care International United Kingdom which the researcher was a facilitator examined the situation between Christian leaders and community members from Jeka Da Fari, Federal Low Cost and Tunfure in Gombe, Gombe State. Using the Community Score Card theoretical framework, it discovered that intra-faith conflicts are caused by poor leadership, prosperity gospel and doctrinal differences. To strengthen infra-faith cohesion, the paper advocated for leadership based on merit, mutual respect and preaching the gospel of salvation. It concluded that ensuring feedback mechanism, equity, justice and synergy between Christian leaders and their flock are indispensable infra-faith tools for Christian unity in Nigeria.