Teleios recently performed a study evaluating church members’ ratings of
their church and its leadership associated with their personal assessment of
wellbeing (internal data). We performed this study to assist Dr. D. Scott Barfoot,
faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary, with his leadership studies.
The survey was conducted online with 115 volunteers from 6 evangelical
churches in Oklahoma, Texas and California. Participants were mostly evangelical
(97%) and agreed, or strongly agreed, they had good wellbeing (88%). Similar
findings were shown in surrogate markers of wellbeing including: contentment,
peace, joy and purpose. However, there was no control group in our study, so it
is difficult, based on our data, to make firm conclusions regarding evangelical
wellbeing compared to other population groups.
Nonetheless,
other authors have demonstrated that Christian belief generally is associated
with good wellbeing more than in those who do not believe (1,2). The better
wellbeing among Christians is most often linked to church attendance, postulated
to be from socialization (2-6). Additionally, in prior studies a number of other
wellbeing markers have been noted including: forgiveness, gratitude, hope and kindness (7-12).
Teleios also has found that Christians who are more adherent
to their faith, using what we describe as the five tools of maturity (Acts 2:42
and 47; praise, prayer, fellowship, spiritual service and biblical learning)
have better wellbeing than less adherent believers (1,2). This was shown again
in this survey, specifically for biblical fellowship (P=0.013*), but also
showing strong trends, despite the relatively small sample size of the study, for
prayer (P=0.046*), praise (P=0.038*) and studying the Bible (P=0.071).
Why would the 5 tools to maturity help wellbeing?
I believe it may result from the satisfaction and comfort of
the Holy Spirit as we pursue God (Romans 8:16). Further, we know God’s Spirit
matures us to think in a Biblical manner that helps us exclude negative
thoughts and actions (i.e., sin) from our lives (Romans 8:13).
In addition, the Spirit, as we allow (Ephesians 4:29), leads
us and acts on our behalf according to God’s Word (Romans 8:14, 6:17). The joy and
freedom which come from God, help us to be excellent in all our ways, both in
pursuit of God and also in our endeavors for family and professional life
(Galatians 5:22, Colossians 3:16-17, Romans 8:21).
We truly have a remarkable God who provides wisdom not only for
salvation but for our personal lives!
Thank you so much for joining me. Join us again next week as
we continue to discuss the results of this interesting study.
*
after reducing the P value to indicate significance because of multiple tests.
1. MacIlvaine WR, et al.
Association of strength of community service to personal wellbeing. Community
Ment Health J 2014;50:577-82.
2. MacIlvaine WR, et al.
Association of strength of religious adherence to quality of life measures.
Complement Ther Clin Pract 2013;19:251-5.
3. Parsons S, et al. Religious beliefs, practices and treatment adherence among individuals with HIV
in the southern United States. AIDS Subject Care STDS
2006;20:97-111.
4.
Reed P. Spirituality and well-being in
terminally ill hospitalized adults. Res Nurs Health 1987;10:335-44.
5. Keefe F, et al. Living with rheumatoid arthritis: the
role of daily spirituality and daily religious and spiritual coping. J Pain
2001;2:101-10.
6.
Cotton S, et al. Exploring the relationships among spiritual
well-being, quality of life, and psychological adjustment in women with breast
cancer. Psychooncology 1999;8:429-38.
7.
Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an
experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being
in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol.
2003;84:377-89.
8.
Froh JJ, Sefick WJ, Emmons RA. Counting blessings in early
adolescents: an experimental study of gratitude and subjective well-being. J
Sch Psychol. 2008;46:213-33.
9. Forgiveness, gratitude and subjective
well-being among Filipino adolescents. Int J Adv Counsel. 2014;36:262-73.
10.
Krause N, Ellison CG. Forgiveness
by God, forgiveness of others, and psychological well-being in late life. J Sci Study Relig. 2003;42:77–94.
11.
Otake K, et al.
Happy people become happier through kindness: A counting kindnesses
intervention. J Happiness Stud. 2006;7:361-75.
12.
Lu FJ, Hsu Y. Injured athletes' rehabilitation beliefs and subjective
well-being: The contribution of hope and social support. J Athl
Train. 2013;48:92–8.
WC Stewart
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