Congregational Service-Learning Characteristics and Volunteer Faith Development

• Published in: Religious education Vol. 103; no. 3; pp. 369 - 386
• Main Authors: Myers, Dennis R., Wolfer, Terry A., Garland, Diana R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Decatur Taylor & Francis Group 10-06-2008; Routledge; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Age Differences; California; Churches; Community Leaders; Conflict; Consciousness Raising; Correlation; Cultural Pluralism; Ethnicity; Faith; Gender Differences; Individual Development; Louisiana; Michigan; New York; Personal development; Placement; Religious Education; Religious Factors; Service Learning; South Carolina; Spiritual Development; Spirituality; Texas; Volunteers; Louisiana; New York; California; Texas; South Carolina; Michigan
• ISSN: 0034-4087; 1547-3201
• DOI: 10.1080/00344080802053543

A research study surveyed 946 volunteers from congregations who were actively involved in community service, as well as 3,959 other congregational attenders who were not involved in volunteer service, to understand the relationship between service learning and faith development. Findings show that service-learning is powerfully related to a mature faith and to other faith practices such as prayer, Bible study, and worship. Authors explore the characteristics of service-learning that strengthen its contribution to the faith life of volunteers. These findings have important implications for how religious educators and community leaders structure service-learning experiences. The authors conclude that leaders who want to nurture the life of faith need to consider service-learning to be at the core rather than elective in congregational life.
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We are grateful to our colleagues Beryl Hugen, Paula Sheridan, Michael Sherr, and David Sherwood who were our partners in this project. This project was funded by a generous grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc.