An investigation of the factors associated with spiritual maturity of Southern Baptist African American adults
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a significant relationship between teaching methods used in African American churches and the adults' openness to spiritual maturity. A sample of 359 African American adults in Southern Baptist churches in the state of Tennessee were surveyed using a demographic addendum and the Christian Spiritual Participation Profile (CSPP; Thayer, 2004). Both statewide and regional analyses were conducted for West, Middle, and East Tennessee. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, ANOVAs, Pearson's r correlations, and linear regression analysis. It was concluded that there was not a statistically significant difference in depth of participation in each spiritual development mode based on gender for the statewide analysis. There were significant differences among the age groups in their depth of participation in the four spiritual development modes for the statewide analysis. There were also significant differences among adults with different levels of education in their depth of participation in the spiritual development modes for the state of Tennessee. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the type and number of teaching methods to which adults were exposed and their depth of participation in each spiritual development mode. Finally, the linear combination of type and number of teaching methods to which the participants were exposed were statistically significant predictors of depth of participation in all 10 of the spiritual disciplines indicated in the CSPP for the statewide analysis. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that further studies be conducted in larger populations and samples. A similar study should be conducted in a region of the country other than the Bible belt. Christian educators and pastors should consider how worship services and other learning opportunities can be organized intentionally to include a variety of methodologies suitable to the learning needs of congregants.
Subject Area
Religion|Black studies|Religious education|Curriculum development|African American Studies
Recommended Citation
Chandra Bennett,
"An investigation of the factors associated with spiritual maturity of Southern Baptist African American adults"
(2008).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI3320198.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3320198