Effects of Occupational Stress on the Performance of Pastors of Friends Church (Quakers), Nairobi County, Kenya

The shortage of the Pastors within Friends church, Nairobi County, Kenya vis a vis the demand for their effective and efficient services puts a lot of pressure on them, considering the fact that they act as vital links between the Christians and the government. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of occupational stress on the performance of the pastors. The study used a descriptive survey design and simple random sampling method. Questionnaires, interview guides and observation check-lists were employed as research instruments to collect data. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The theoretical framework was based on Welford Performance and demand theory which stipulates that whenever there is a departure from optimum demand which an individual is not able to cope with, stress emerged. An individual's performance is, therefore, less than maximum efficiency when the individual experiences either too high or too low levels of demand. The results of the study showed that there was a relationship between working hours and pastor’s delivery of ministerial services. The results indicated that pastors work load had a bearing on delivery of civic functions. Study findings revealed that lack of community support, church wellness programs and individual approach increased stress levels experienced by the pastors. The study recommendations were that there is need for the church to deal adequately with challenges faced by pastors in order to avoid occupational stress.