A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis

P1: GCY

Pastoral Psychology [pspy]

Ph254-pasp-481279

March 17, 2004

14:4

Style file version Nov 28th, 2002

Pastoral Psychology, Vol. 52, No. 5, May 2004 ( C 2004)

A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis

Howard W. Stone,1 David R. Cross,2,5 Karyn B. Purvis,3 and Melissa J. Young4

The purpose of the current study was to understand what church members experience during a situational crisis and identify the resources of social support

that are helpful for them. By identifying the degree to which personal religious

beliefs and participation in a particular congregation help people in crisis, this

study sought to provide a foundation from which religious as well as mental health

professionals can understand the psychological benefits of religious involvement.

For the purposes of this research the investigators developed the “Crisis Appraisal

and Coping Interview Protocol.” The research team collected interview data from

26 members of one Southern Baptist congregation within two weeks of a crisis

event. Qualitative analysis identified several key themes that appeared which are

discussed.

KEY WORDS: crisis; social support; religious beliefs; congregation; pastoral care.

All people experience crises from time to time. We reach an edge, an emergency, a moment when we must make a decision, solve a problem, deal with a

significant issue, confront a terrifying or agonizing situation.

In crisis we make elemental choices. Crises force us to recognize that we

are unprotected and naked before others, God, and even ourselves. Crisis ministry

has been part of pastoral care throughout many centuries; indeed, Christians have

learned to expect their pastors to be with them at such times.

A majority of Americans participate in religious services and identify themselves as members of a faith community. Understanding the role that religion plays

1 Howard

W. Stone is Professor of Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Counseling, Brite Divinity...