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Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
Journal Article Review:
A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
James Garner
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
James Garner
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to James Garner
Email: jtgarner4@liberty.edu
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Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
Introduction
Crisis surrounds us and is a part of being alive. Jesus emphasizes this reality, "In the
world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (ESV, 2016, John
16:33b). The article "A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis" examines the real and
effectual benefits of active church membership. How one navigates through a crisis will be
shaped by their worldview and level of engagement within that particular framework.
Summary
The authors of the study we are reviewing are interested in the dynamic of social support
within individuals experiencing a crisis and how one copes within the religious context,
specifically church membership and level of participation as a member of those studied. 30
individuals who had experienced some crisis in the two weeks before this study would be
interviewed. Out of those interviewed, only 26 were reported in this study because of technical
difficulties. Qualifying crisis included: "divorce; loss of job, support person, position or status;
incapacitating accident, illness, or operation (e.g., mastectomy); death of a friend, spouse, or
child; one's own impending death; discovery of marital infidelity; retirement; unwanted
pregnancy; and natural disaster." (Stone, Cross, Purvis, and Young, 2004, p. 410)
The study was carried out over a period of eight months, allowing enough time to pass
for possible resolution of the crisis individuals were facing or, at best, allowing those
experiencing crisis to move towards a point of resolution or to the point of moving forward in
their new reality.
Three significant elements came from the study, "self, acts, and others" (Stone et al.,
2004, p. 412.) One of the findings was that some individuals, although not alone, could cope
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Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
using personal resources. Their ability to meet a crisis in this fashion seems related to a deeper
understanding of self, particularly their relationships with God and others. As crucial as one's
ability to cope individually, the study was conducted to identify the value of social support
among church members experiencing a crisis. Those studied shared multiple things that gave
them the support and help necessary to cope. The ministry of presence and a few other resources
helped people navigate through their particular crisis. Ministry of Presence can have many
forms, from simply sitting with someone to a prepared meal. As seen in this study, the value and
relevance of community is further proof of the validity of scripture and the power of God at work
in the people of God. Highlighted in this study was the ministry of prayer. Whether it was being
prayed over or just the knowledge that someone was praying brought strength and comfort. The
authors also spoke of acts of kindness that functioned both to ease the burden but served as a
reminder that they were not alone. Love was displayed in tangible and relevant ways that
allowed those in crisis to move forward with life.
Interaction
People matter! "Caring for people in crisis, whether undertaken by members of the
congregation, by the clergy, or both, is a core task of ministry" (Stone et al., 2004, p. 419). I
couldn't agree more! Throughout the article, I found myself writing in the margins, amen, or so
true. The church is a place where strength and healing can be found in Christ through his
followers as they minister to one another through prayer, acts of kindness, and simply being
there.
Allowing those in crisis to interview and share their story as they lived out their crisis in
community with other believers gives validity to the study versus faceless questionnaires that
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Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
allow for more reading between the lines. Interviewing allowed those studying to see the effects
that a faith-based community, particularly a Christian community, could offer in helping those in
crisis cope with and move beyond the crisis. The data gathered in this study is a much-needed
resource in equipping and encouraging our churches and their members to do the work God has
called us in ministering to the needs of others. "Jesus' main concern was to alleviate suffering
and meet the needs of people" (Wright, 2011, p. 18). Christians are to be concerned with the
same. We can see from this study that the ministry of presence (social support) aided the
majority of those experiencing the crisis to move forward without seeking professional
psychotherapy. Scripture again is proven not only to be accurate but relevant. Solomon in
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 shares with us the value of community. "Two are better than one because
they have good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him
who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up" (ESV, 2016 Eccl. 4:9-10). Another
aha moment, perhaps for the lay leader, would be the and power of someone other than paid
pastoral staff who would come and minister through prayer or just in presence. (Stone et al.,
2004, p. 417)
Application
"Like a silent conspiracy, we seem to have an unspoken agreement with others not to talk
about our losses" (Wright, 2011, p. 63). The enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy invites
our silence—many people in our churches grief in silence in the dark alone and afraid. Scripture
teaches we were not only created for community but thrive when we are engaged in authentic
community. Grief is our response to a loss in our lives. A teenager in our church has recently
experienced several crises/losses in her life. She is a believer but in unfamiliar territory. Not sure
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Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
what to do, she puts a lid on her emotions and faces multiple crises independently. Her sense to
go this alone has led to even darker thoughts about her life. The crises seem to be growing as she
makes poor decisions, leading to another problem involving her character and relationship with
her parents. She is depressed, feels isolated and alone. She looks for an escape; the pain is too
much; she cuts herself unknowingly to her loving parents, and ultimately a pill bottle in her hand,
she attempts to take her own life. The family had known she was down and sought medical help.
The physician prescribes an anti-depressant. It was those pills she tried to make the pain stop.
The medication prescribed, the parents were later told, is nearly impossible to overdose. This
young woman tells her parents what she attempted a few weeks back, and now they are calling
and asking for advice. What do they do? Their daughter is top of her class, quickly makes
friends. This just does not fit who she is. They did not know all the losses she faced alone, and
although they were aware of a few of the crises, they did not grasp their scope and the weight
that she had been carrying.
Plan of Action
We need to deal with the suicide attempt first and foremost and get her immediate help.
They took her to the ER and, from there, to a treatment center to help her. This is a difficult
decision and one that initially brings more pain to her and her parents. After a few days of
therapy and realizing that she is not alone in her pain comes home. Now it is time for counseling.
The parents seek a female Christian Counselor and begin sessions immediately. This is
important because the parents desire the young woman to find her value and worth again in
Christ. The parents learn of all the losses this young lady faced in her first year of high school
through these sessions. Some losses were known to them, but others were not. Sixteen days in
the hospital, 50 lbs of weight gain because of the medication needed during and afterward,
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Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
bullying because of weight gain, bullying because of hospital stay, loss of a role in the musical
that was just the fall semester. Spring and Summer were no picnics, COVID-19, online classes,
brother's senior graduation postponed, tension and issues among the staff in the church her father
served; she was caught sneaking out, brother moved into college, the very next day her
grandfather suddenly and unexpectedly passes away. The storm was fierce, and she was in a
rowboat facing the waves on her own. Eventually, this emotional tsunami capsized the boat,
desperately trying to stay above water and finally giving up. She just wanted to drift to the
bottom of the sea.
She needed other believers to help not just carry the burden but to find strength in
numbers. She needed to know God was present, and even in our losses, God is at work. She
rediscovered the power of being a part of the church and saw the love displayed towards her in
physical and tangible ways that she would overcome.
So how would I apply this if someone came to me? 1. I would get them immediate help
as related to their suicide attempt. 2. I would do my best to counsel them, identifying and
grieving through the losses. I would incorporate journaling about the losses and then what
moving forward looks like. 3. I would pair them with others that could pour into them. 4. I would
encourage them to share their story, allowing Christ to help others who are riding similar waves.
5. As a pastor, I need to lead our church in the ministry of presence, equipping them to do the
work and the value of our simply being in people's lives, especially in and through crises.
All you read happened, to my daughter, to my sweet, intelligent, outgoing, loving
daughter. As I read the article, I wept. She did not grieve her losses, nor did she realize that
others were willing to come alongside her in prayer and other ways to help. We offered help
repeatedly, but she is fiercely independent.
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Journal Article Review: A Study of Church Members During Times of Crisis
I have permission to share what my daughter experienced as she has not only embraced
this crisis but has allowed God to use her life to speak into others, helping them in theirs.
Reference
Crossway Bibles. (2016). Esv: Study Bible: English standard version.
Stone, H. W., Cross, D. R., Purvis, K. B., & Young, M. J. (2004). A study of church members
during times of crisis. , (5), 405–421. Pastoral Psychology 52
https://doi.org/10.1023/b:pasp.0000020688.71454.3d
Wright, H. N. (2014). The Complete Guide to Crisis and Trauma Counseling: What to do and
say when it matters most! Bethany House.
