Lessons learned through a partnership with Marshallese faith-based organizations to screen for hypertension and diabetes

Faith-based organizations and professional development: A case for practical theology? The question discussed in this article is: “in what ways can perspectives from practical theology contribute to the study of professional development within faith-based organizations? To an swer this question, I present my critical reading of the report, När tilliten prövas: En studie av studieförbundet Ibn Rushd samhällsbidrag (2019) and the results are analyzed utilizing per spectives from practical theology. My method is theory-testing critical reading where I search for and present concepts in the report concerning 1) What is said of religion in the relationship between religion and society in the report? 2) Which perspectives are raised in the report con cerning stakeholders, staff, and visitors/participants behavior? Finally, using perspectives from practical theology, I outline two answers addressing what professional development in faith based organizations is and how practical theology can contribute in this field. Firstly, I propose that professional development in faith-based professions occurs when one’s own and other’s expression of intentional religion is perceived as one of many positive assets from the onset. Practical theology has the resources to both study and develop knowledge in these processes. Secondly, I claim that practical theology has resources to identify and utilize lessons learned from other professions with clear religious identities. Their experiences should be of interest for actors dealing with similar challenges and for society in general. Professional development in faith-based organizations is a case for practical theology.

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A Mixed-methods Pilot Study of Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency Among Faith-based Organizations

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x14000120 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 127-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Valerie M. Muller ◽

Rita V. Burke ◽

Bridget M. Berg ◽

Ann C. Lin ◽

Jeffrey S. Upperman

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Social Services ◽

Disaster Preparedness ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Publication Type ◽

Frequency Distributions ◽

Faith Based ◽

Faith Based Organizations

AbstractIntroductionFaith-based organizations represent a source of stability and are an established presence in a community. They frequently serve their community following disasters. They are not formally included or identified as a disaster resource; thus, there is an opportunity to increase the effectiveness with which faith-based organizations prepare for and respond to disasters.ProblemThis pilot study aimed to assess perceptions of the level of disaster preparedness and resiliency among faith-based organizations as a first step in understanding how to improve disaster preparedness and resiliency among these organizations and their communities.MethodsSurvey and semi-structured interviews were conducted with six faith-based organizations, one with a leader and one with a staff member. Frequency distributions of survey questions were obtained. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was supported by analytical software, ATLAS. ti.ResultsResults of the survey indicated strong social networks among congregation and community members. However, half of the members indicated that they did not socialize often with other races and other neighborhoods. Additionally, trust of other groups of people was generally low. Themes that emerged from qualitative analysis were: (1) perceived disaster preparedness and resiliency; (2) barriers to community preparedness and resiliency; (3) lessons learned from past disasters; (4) social services and networks; and (5) willingness to be prepared.ConclusionsThe results suggest that there is a need for interventions to improve disaster preparedness and resiliency among faith-based organizations.MullerV, BurkeR, BergB, LinA, UppermanJ. A mixed-methods pilot study of disaster preparedness and resiliency among faith-based organizations. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(2):1-7.

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Teen Pregnancy Prevention and African American Faith-Based Organizations: Lessons Learned from the Southern Nevada Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project

Journal of Public Health Issues and Practices ◽

10.33790/jphip1100127 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Teen Pregnancy ◽

Pregnancy Prevention ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Teen Pregnancy Prevention ◽

Faith Based ◽

Southern Nevada ◽

Prevention Project ◽

Faith Based Organizations

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Connecting with Community and Facilitating Learning through the Little Rock Congregations Study

Metropolitan Universities ◽

10.18060/23990 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 22-43

Author(s):

Rebecca Glazier ◽

Gerald Driskill ◽

Kirk Leach

Keyword(s):

Community Engagement ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Urban Setting ◽

Political Activity ◽

Little Rock ◽

Community Institutions ◽

Faith Based ◽

Anchor Institutions ◽

Faith Based Organizations ◽

The University

Places of worship play important roles as anchor institutions that promote community engagement and motivate political activity. Universities, particularly in urban settings, can also serve as anchor institutions that connect communities. Yet, there is often a gulf between the two, to the detriment of the broader community. In this article, we present the Little Rock Congregations Study (LRCS) as an approach to community engagement with faith-based organizations in an urban setting. This research project, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, involves an interdisciplinary team focused on understanding and improving the community engagement of congregations in the city of Little Rock since 2012. We present qualitative and quantitative data to illustrate the benefits of our approach, including research results returned to community organizations, greater visibility of the university in the community, student involvement in research and with faith-based organizations, and substantive findings that inform the greater body of knowledge and our own community. Through more than eight years of community-based work on the LRCS we provide six key lessons learned for researchers and students building relationships with religious leaders that can help bridge the gulf between these two key community institutions.

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