Corporate Social Responsibility: Experience of the Redeemed Christian Church of God North America (RCCGNA)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is defined as the responsibility of an organization or company towards the community, employees, stakeholders, environment, and society as a whole. Companies demonstrate this responsibility through educational, community, and social welfare programs, and by reducing hazards caused by pollution and industrial waste. In return, the organization’s prestige and branding is improved as the community is strengthened.

The church is rapidly becoming engrossed in strictly spiritual crusade, and the complexities of the contemporary church often breeds systemic neglect for the poor and structural decay for the community. The art of active, liberal demonstration of a church’s commitment to the cry of the poor in one’s community and giving back to the cities in the spirit of corporate social responsibility has been traded for a menu of church – only spiritual cuisine. The portion that is reserved for the underprivileged in the society and ethical reciprocity to the environment is been wasted under the excuse of ignorance and unresponsiveness on the part of the church. This dissertation examines the apparent irresponsiveness of RCCGNA towards corporate social responsibility, advocates the urgency for its inclusiveness as a church tradition, and recommends how CSR can be used as a mechanism for community integration and growth.