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Author

Paul LuFollow

Publication Date

3-2020

Abstract

This project seeks to find ways for the church to engage with those who are mentally ill residing in mental health facilities. The goal is to provide residents with opportunities for spiritual formation and growth. To support this effort, I conducted worship services at two mental health facilities to determine whether taking church to the mentally ill can contribute to creating a Christ-centered community for the mentally ill. The project started with a planning phase emphasizing the specifics for developing an appropriate worship content and approach, including the length of the service, the message, music, and other attributes. Observations, comments, suggestions, and recommendations were collected during the worship services, and updates were incorporated to better serve the worshipers.

The findings suggest the majority of the residents who attended the worship services felt a sense of being in a Christ-centered community. The ability to participate during worship, have input on praise music, share prayer requests, and receive communion created significant value and contributed to the residents’ spiritual formation. One of the most significant findings and reflections is the notion of hospitality. The initial assumption is that the church is offering hospitality to those residing at mental health facilities. Instead, the hospitality is offered by those who are already in this community to the church. Going forward, the hope is to replicate this type of ministry at other mental health facilities and to approach behavioral health authorities to encourage incorporating spiritual components into their mental health programs.

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

First Advisor

Beck, Richard

Document Type

Project

Language

English

Keywords

Mental Illness, Restoration, Healing, Spiritual Formation, Practical Theology, Hospitality, Worship, Marginalized, Community, Outreach, Royale Therapeutic Residential Center, Oceanview Adult Psychiatric Hospital, California

Disciplines

Practical Theology

Comments

This was uploaded by the David Allan Hubbard Library from the Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN). If there are any mistakes in this record, please contact archives@fuller.edu

Upload File

wf_yes

Date Uploaded

5-8-2020

Collection Number

DMin125

File Name

DMin125-0419

Rights

Material is subject to copyright.

Embargo Period

5-8-2020

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