Spiritual Leadership: Achieving Positive Health Outcomes in African-American Christian Churches

Spiritual Leadership: Achieving Positive Health Outcomes in African-American Christian Churches by Cynthia Bracey MS, Regis University, 2006 MPH, Tulane University, 1986 BSN, The Ohio State University, 1980 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University February 2017 Abstract In the United States, African-American residents are an underserved population with evidence of higher health disparities than those associated with any other race, contributing to escalating health care costs. Despite the absence of health promotion and wellness training, pastors in predominately Black churches accept the responsibility for addressing more than the spiritual needs of their church members. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory research study was to explore the perspectives of AfricanAmerican Christian pastors on giving health guidance and their lived experiences as health promotion advocates. A total of 10 African-American Christian pastors were voluntarily recruited from 3 southern U.S. states using both purposeful and theoretical sampling strategies. Interviewing was the main data collection method. Social cognitive theory along with grounded theory were used to examine the interactions based on participants’ points of view, and inductive analysis was also used. The results indicated that pastors have knowledge of their congregational members’ health challenges and goals and have achieved positive health outcomes. The pastors also agreed that seminary should incorporate more information on health and wellness into the curriculum. These findings suggest that pastors, who are faith-based resources outside of health careIn the United States, African-American residents are an underserved population with evidence of higher health disparities than those associated with any other race, contributing to escalating health care costs. Despite the absence of health promotion and wellness training, pastors in predominately Black churches accept the responsibility for addressing more than the spiritual needs of their church members. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory research study was to explore the perspectives of AfricanAmerican Christian pastors on giving health guidance and their lived experiences as health promotion advocates. A total of 10 African-American Christian pastors were voluntarily recruited from 3 southern U.S. states using both purposeful and theoretical sampling strategies. Interviewing was the main data collection method. Social cognitive theory along with grounded theory were used to examine the interactions based on participants’ points of view, and inductive analysis was also used. The results indicated that pastors have knowledge of their congregational members’ health challenges and goals and have achieved positive health outcomes. The pastors also agreed that seminary should incorporate more information on health and wellness into the curriculum. These findings suggest that pastors, who are faith-based resources outside of health care systems, need to be educated, equipped, guided, and groomed as health leaders to assist efforts to reduce or eliminate health care disparities. Members of the clergy, their church members, and surrounding community residents would all benefit from the knowledge, understanding, and development of skills to change their unhealthy lifestyle habits and effective selfmanagement of chronic diseases to achieve positive health outcomes. Spiritual Leadership: Achieving Positive Health Outcomes in African-American Christian Churches by Cynthia Bracey MS, Regis University, 2006 MPH, Tulane University, 1986 BSN, The Ohio State University, 1980 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health Walden University February 2017 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation with a heart full of love for the person who fostered the desire to serve others, my late grandfather, Reverend Henry Bracey and the person who had the faith I could reach this goal, my late mother, Sarah Ann Bracey. My deepest regret is that they are not here physically to celebrate this achievement; however, I am grateful for the presence of their spirit and cherished memories. I also dedicate this dissertation to all faith leaders and their faith-based organizations that are working hard to lead their members and surrounding community residents to health. May God continue to give you the strength, resources, and wisdom to sustain your efforts to build healthier communities. Acknowledgments I first give thanks to our Heavenly Father, source of strength and help who orders my steps. I was so honored to meet and work with all the pastors who participated in this study and the opportunity to praise God with their church family. I truly appreciate the loving support, guidance, and prayers of my pastor, Reverend Dr. Taijuan O. Fuller, and Beauty Spot Missionary Baptist Church family. Completion of this educational journey would not have been possible without the patience, time, guidance, support, and commitment of my doctoral committee, Dr. NaaSolo Tettey, Dr. Magdeline Aagard, and Dr. Egondu Onyejekwe. This committee, along with other faculty members and Dr. Elisabeth Johnson-Kallos, editor, demonstrated that teaching comes from the heart and they utilized every opportunity to increase my level of knowledge and understanding of this process. I am most grateful for the love, support, encouragement, and prayers from family, friends, and community. My brother, Reverend Dr. John Duckworth, assisted my efforts to understand seminary preparation and the multiple roles of a pastor. My two sons, K. Martai and Bracey, grandsons Jordan and Noah, niece and nephews Gabrielle, John Jr, and Nicholas provide the daily motivation and drive to build healthier communities. Lastly, I must recognize the constant support and love my father, Eddie Bracey, provided from the beginning to the end of this process.