Faith and Adult Learning

Religion is an important part of the lives of millions of people from numerous cultures and religious denominations. In a recent survey of more than 35,000 Americans by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2008), the U.S. Religious landscape Survey shows that more than 50% of Americans say religion is a very important part of their lives and 92% of American adults believe in the existence of God or some spiritual force. While 54% of respondents surveyed say they attend some form of religious worship services weekly, it was also reported that American adults are involved in activities outside of the worship experience, such as musical events, participating in social activities, volunteering, prayer groups, and religious education. Furthermore, the report revealed that certain groups of various religions traditions attend worship services more frequently than other religious groups. For instance, Jehovah's Witnesses (82%), Mormons (75%), and members of historically-black churches (59%) attended church at least once a week. Elias (1995) noted, "Religious traditions are strongly influenced by the cultural circumstances in which they developed and were refined" (p. 36). As society changes and becomes more complex with greater social and cultural issues, the religious education of adults must also evolve. Today, religious education may not only include spiritual and religious development of the person but also addresses the health and physical well-being of parishioners. Adult religious education has, indeed, changed from the days of long ago where church worshippers knew each other by name and the church was the epicenter of socialization. That was a period during which Sunday school classes were the major form of religious education for adults. With the advent of mega-churches, where congregations number in the thousands and small close-knit ties among worshippers may not be possible, churches and televangelists, such as Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes, hold weekly Bible study sessions and other religious education classes to make the religious education experience more personal. In addition, the use of technology in adult religious education has become an integral part of the adult learner's experiences. With advances such as televangelist ministries, online interactive Bibles, online Bible study groups, Web and podcasts, and independent religious study programs, technology continues to expand the scope of adult religious education around the world. Contemporary worship services use a variety of methods, including music, liturgical dance, mimes, and flag ministries, to better engage learners and encourage them to become active participants in the worship experience. Religious institutions have a long history of providing worshippers with programs to meet the social and religious needs of a diverse group of learners. For example, it is not unusual to find religious institutions providing outreach ministries in the areas of marriage, divorce, wellness, and health. These ministries and services are designed to assist worshippers with living life in a contemporary, post-modern society. In the African American community, the church plays a major role in the spiritual, social, political, and cultural lives of its people. The U.S. Religious Landscape Study notes that 90% of those who identified with traditional black congregations say they "believe in God with absolute certainty" and 85% state religion is a very important part of their lives (Pew Forum, 2008). Therefore, it is only natural for the African American church, like other faith-based institutions, to nurture not only the soul and spiritual development but also address social and political issues, as well as the health and well-being of its worshippers. One of the most critical issues many minority groups face is the disparity in accessing and receiving competent health care services. Rosenbaum, Markus, and Darnell (2000) report the "history of health care discrimination as well as ongoing extensive evidence of racial disparities argues for continued vigilance in the area of health care and civil rights" (p. …