Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Building Capacity Among Laity: A Faith-Based Health Ministry Initiative

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Religion and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A systematic review of topic-specific faith-based health programs determined that health outcomes can be improved though faith-based health interventions. A university research team, in partnership with the Kansas United Methodist Church and a United Methodist philanthropy, facilitated planning and development of a statewide initiative to increase the capacity of laity-led health ministry teams. The purpose of this paper is to describe the processes utilized to design and implement an initiative to increase capacity for laity-led comprehensive health ministry among Kansas United Methodist Church congregations and to share the key elements of the initiative.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abara, W., Coleman, J. D., Fairchild, A., Gaddist, B., & White, J. (2013). A faith-based community partnership to address HIV/AIDS in the Southern United States: Implementation, challenges, and lessons learned. Journal of Religion and Health, 54(1), 122–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C. M. (2004). The delivery of health care in faith-based organizations: Parish nurses as promoters of health. Health Communication, 16(1), 117–128.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baruth, M., & Wilcox, S. (2013). Multiple behavior change among church members taking part in the faith, activity, and nutrition program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 45(5), 428–434. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2013.03.002.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., Saunders, R. P., Hooker, S. P., Hussey, J. R., & Blair, S. N. (2013). Perceived environmental church support and physical activity among black church members. Health Education & Behavior, 40, 712–720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergquist, S., & King, J. (1994). Parish nursing—A conceptual framework. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 12(2), 155–170.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bopp, M., Lattimore, D., Wilcox, S., Laken, M., McClorin, L., Swinton, R., et al. (2007). Understanding physical activity participation in members of an African American church: A qualitative study. Health Education Research, 22(6), 815–826.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, K., Greer-Williams, N., Willis, N., & Hartwig, M. (2013). Barriers to diagnosis and treatment of depression: Voices from a rural African-American faith community. Journal of National Black Nurses’ Association, 24(1), 31–38.8.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Caplan, L., Sawyer, P., Holt, C., & Allman, R. M. (2013). Religiosity and function among community-dwelling older adult survivors of cancer. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 25(4), 311–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caplan, L., Sawyer, P., Holt, C., & Brown, C. J. (2014). Religiosity after a diagnosis of cancer among older adults. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 26(4), 357–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeHaven, M. J., Hunter, I. B., Wilder, L., Walton, J. W., & Berry, J. (2004). Health programs in faith-based organizations: Are they effective? American Journal of Public Health, 94(6), 1030–1036.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • DeHaven, M. J., Ramos-Roman, M. A., Gimpel, N., Carson, J., DeLemos, J., Pickens, S., et al. (2011). The GoodNEWS (Genes, Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness, and Spiritual Growth) Trial: A community-based participatory research (CBPR) trial with African-American church congregations for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors–recruitment, measurement, and randomization. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 32(5), 630–640.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dodani, S., & Fields, J. Z. (2010). Implementation of the fit body and soul, a church-based life style program for diabetes prevention in high-risk African Americans: A feasibility study. The Diabetes Educator, 36(3), 465–472.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drake, B. F., Shelton, R. C., Gilligan, T., & Allen, J. D. (2010). A church-based intervention to promote informed decision making for prostate cancer screening among African American men. Journal of the National Medical Association, 102(3), 164–171.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, C. G. (1994). Religion, the life stress paradigm, and the study of depression. In J. S. Levin (Ed.), Religion in aging and health: Theoretical foundations and methodological frontiers (pp. 78–121). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ferraro, K. F., & Kim, S. (2014). Health benefits of religion among black and white older adults? Race, religiosity, and C-reactive protein. Social Science and Medicine, 120, 92–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graham, T. W., Kaplan, B. H., Comoni-Huntley, J. C., James, S. A., Becker, C., Hames, C. G., et al. (1978). Frequency of church attendance and blood pressure elevation. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1, 37–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gutierrez, J., Devia, C., Weiss, L., Chantarat, T., Ruddock, C., Linnell, J., et al. (2014). Health, community, and spirituality: Evaluation of a multicultural faith-based diabetes prevention program. The Diabetes Educator, 40(2), 214–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harmon, B. E., Blake, C. F., Thrasher, J. F., & Hebert, J. R. (2014). An evaluation of diet and physical activity messaging in African American churches. Health Education & Behavior, 41(2), 216–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, J., Cunningham, A., Woods, W., & Snipes, F. (1986). The Fitness Through Churches project: Description of a community-based cardiovascular health promotion intervention. Hygie, 5(3), 9–12.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holt, C. L., Litaker, M. S., Scarinci, I. C., Debnam, K. J., McDavid, C., McNeal, S. F., et al. (2013). Spiritually based intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening among African Americans: Screening and theory-based outcomes from a randomized trial. Health Education & Behavior, 40(4), 458–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holt, C. L., Tagai, E. K., Scheirer, M. A., Santos, S. L., Bowie, J., Haider, M., et al. (2014). Translating evidence-based interventions for implementation: Experiences from Project HEAL in African American churches. Implementation Science, 9, 66–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, K. H., Linnan, L., Campbell, M. K., Brooks, C., Koenig, H. G., & Wiesen, C. (2008). The WORD (wholeness, oneness, righteousness, deliverance): A faith-based weight-loss program utilizing a community-based participatory research approach. Health Education & Behavior, 35(5), 634–650.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., Smith, T. W., & Kang, J. H. (2015). Religious affiliation, religious service attendance, and mortality. Journal of Religion and Health, 54, 2052–2072. doi:10.1007/s10943-014-9902-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. G. (1992). Aging and god: Spiritual pathways to mental health in midlife and later years. New York: Haworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. International Scholarly Research Network ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730. doi:10.5402/2012/278730.

  • Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Handbook of religion and health. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kosmin, B. A., & Keysar, A. (2009) American religious identification survey (ARIS 2008) summary report. Trinity College Program on Public Values, Hartford, CN. http://commons.trincoll.edu/aris/files/2011/08/ARIS. Accessed May 23, 2014.

  • Kremer, H., & Ironson, G. (2014). Longitudinal spiritual coping with trauma in people with HIV: Implications for health care. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 28(3), 144–154.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster, K. J., Carter-Edwards, L., Grilo, S., Shen, C., & Schoenthaler, A. M. (2014). Obesity interventions in African American faith-based organizations: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 15(S4), 159–176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, D. B., Pattison, E. M., Blazer, D. G., Omran, A. R., & Kaplan, B. H. (1986). Systematic analysis of research on religious variables in four major psychiatric journals, 1978–1982. American Journal of Psychiatry, 143(3), 329–334.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lasater, T., Carleton, R., & Wells, B. (1991). Religious organizations and large-scale health related lifestyle change programs. Journal of Health Education, 22(4), 233–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. S. (1994). Religion and health: Is there an association, is it valid, and is it causal? Social Science and Medicine, 38, 1475–1482.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. S., & Schiller, P. L. (1987). Is there a religious factor in health? Journal of Religion and Health, 26, 9–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot, A. F., Taggart, T., Woods-Jaeger, B. A., Riggins, L., Jackson, M. R., & Eng, E. (2014). Where is the faith? Using a CBPR approach to propose adaptations to an evidence-based HIV prevention intervention for adolescents in African American faith settings. Journal of Religion and Health, 53(4), 1223–1235.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lindley, L. L., Coleman, J. D., Gaddist, B. W., & White, J. (2010). Informing faith-based HIV/AIDS interventions: HIV-related knowledge and stigmatizing attitudes at Project F.A.I.T.H. churches in South Carolina. Public Health Reports, 125(S1), 12–20.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Maggi, L., Ferrara, P. E., Aprile, I., Ronconi, G., Specchia, A., Niqito, C., et al. (2012). Role of spiritual beliefs on disability and health-related quality of life in acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 48(3), 467–473.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, O. L., Marum, F., Mosley, A., Gwon, H. S., Langlieb, A., Everly, G. S., Jr., et al. (2012). Community capacity-building in disaster mental health resilience: A pilot study of an academic/faith partnership model. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 14(2), 112–122.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Newlin, K., Dyess, S. M., Allard, E., Chase, S., & Melkus, G. D. (2012). A methodological review of faith-based health promotion literature: Advancing the science to expand delivery of diabetes education to Black Americans. Journal of Religion and Health, 51(4), 1075–1097.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, J., Atwood, J. R., & Yates, B. (2002). Key elements for church-based health promotion programs: Outcome-based literature review. Public Health Nursing, 19(6), 401–411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1984). The transtheoretical approach: Towards a systematic eclectic framework. Homewood, IL: Dow Jones Irwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rafferty, K. A., Billig, A. K., & Mosack, K. E. (2014). Spirituality, religion, and health: The role of communication, appraisals, and coping for individuals living with chronic illness. Journal of Religion and Health, 54(5), 1870–1885.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, K., Campbell, M., Carr, C., McCarty, F., Wang, T., Periasamy, S., et al. (2004). Body and soul. A dietary intervention conducted through African-American churches. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27(2), 97–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, R. P., Wilcox, S., Barith, M., & Dowda, M. (2014). Process evaluation methods, implementation fidelity results and relationship to physical activity and healthy eating in the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) study. Evaluation and Program Planning, 43, 93–102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seale, J. P., Fifield, J., Davis-Smith, Y. M., Satterfield, R., Thomas, J. G., Cole, B., et al. (2013). Developing culturally congruent weight maintenance programs for African American church members. Ethnicity & Health, 18(2), 152–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solari-Twadell, A. (1999). Health and wholeness. Christian Century, 116, 301–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokols, D. (2002). Translating social ecological theory into guidelines for community health promotion. American Journal of Health Promotion, 10(4), 282–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stokols, D., Allen, J., & Bellingham, R. L. (1996). The social ecology of health promotion: Practical implications for research and practice. American Journal of Health Promotion, 10(4), 247–251.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. (2008). U.S. religious landscape survey. http://religions.pewforum.org/reports Accessed May 23, 2014.

  • Thompson, E., Berry, D., & Nasir, L. (2009). Weight management in African-Americans using church-based community interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Journal of National Black Nurses, 20(1), 59–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, J. L., Zoellner, J. M., & Tussing-Humphreys, L. M. (2014). Psychosocial predictors of diet and physical activity in African-Americans: Results from the Delta Body and Soul effectiveness trial, 2010–2011. American Journal of Health Promotion, 28(3), 81–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Timmons, S. M. (2015). Review and evaluation of faith-based weight management interventions that target African American women. Journal of Religion and Health, 54, 798–809.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wheat Ridge Ministries. (2002). www.wheatridge.org/HealthMinistrySelfStudy originally downloaded July 9, 2005; 2014-http://www.wheatridge.org/resources/health-ministry-center/health-ministry-self-study/.

  • Whitt-Glover, M. C., Goldmon, M. V., Karanja, N., Heil, D. P., & Gizlice, Z. (2012). Learning And developing individual exercise skills (L.A.D.I.E.S.) for a better life: A physical activity intervention for black women. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 33(6), 159–1171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Bopp, M., Gethers, O., Huang, P., McClorin, L., et al. (2007). Increasing physical activity among church members: Community-based participatory research. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 32(2), 131–138.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Parrott, A. W., Condrasky, M., Saunders, R., Addy, C. L., et al. (2010). The faith, activity, and nutrition (FAN) program: Design of a participatory research intervention to increase physical activity and improve dietary habits in African American faith communities. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 31(4), 323–335.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, S., Parrott, A., Baruth, M., Laken, M., Condrasky, M., Saunders, R., et al. (2013). The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition program: A randomized controlled trial in African-American churches. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(2), 122–131.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, L., Gorman, R., & Hankerson, S. (2014). Implementing a mental health ministry committee in faith-based organizations: The promoting emotional wellness and spirituality program. Social Work in Health Care, 53(4), 414–434.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Woods, G., Levinson, A. H., Jones, G., Kennedy, R. L., Johnson, L. C., Tran, Z. V., et al. (2013). The living well by faith health and wellness program for African Americans: An exemplar of community-based participatory research. Ethnicity and Disease, 23(2), 223–229.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yanek, L. R., Becker, D. M., Moy, T. F., Gittelsohn, J., & Koffman, D. M. (2001). Project Joy: Faith based cardiovascular health promotion for African American women. Public Health Reports, 116(Suppl 1), 68–81.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yeary, K. H., Cornell, C. E., Turner, J., Moore, P., Bursac, Z., Prewitt, T. E., et al. (2011). Feasibility of an evidence-based weight loss intervention for a faith-based, rural, African American population. Preventing Chronic Disease, 8(6), A146–A158.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, 1010 North Kanas St., Wichita, KS, 67214-3199, USA

    Judy A. Johnston, Kurt Konda & Elizabeth Ablah

Authors
  1. Judy A. Johnston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kurt Konda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elizabeth Ablah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Judy A. Johnston.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Johnston, J.A., Konda, K. & Ablah, E. Building Capacity Among Laity: A Faith-Based Health Ministry Initiative. J Relig Health 57, 1276–1284 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0445-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0445-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation