A Missed Possibility: A Study of the Influence of Church Participation on Health Indicators Related to Shalom in Canadian Children

This thesis arises from my participation in an interdisciplinary study involving theology and health. This mixed methods study aims to improve understanding of the relationship between church involvement and an integrative, holistic understanding of health in children. Its purpose was to determine how participation of young Canadians (age 10 - 15) in the Christian church correlated with various indicators of child/adolescent health. Children involved in religious groups reported lower participation in risk behaviours, higher prosocial behaviours, but poorer levels of more holistic measures of health. These findings raise both theological and practical issues regarding how the church understands itself and lives out its mission. They suggest an emphasis on teaching about behaviours and morality rather than an understanding of the deeply integrative nature of the Christian life. This analysis is grounded in the theological assumption that good behaviour is not an end in itself but a response to a life-giving relationship with a dynamic, living God. In this thesis, I suggest that by thoughtfully challenging the current paradigms prominent in children’s ministry, the church has the potential to have a more meaningful and holistic impact on the lives of the children in our communities. The possible implications of these findings to breathe new life into the often-tired structures of the church are enormous. Grounded in Trinitarian theology, this thesis presents practical ways forward for children’s ministry in the church.Doctor of Ministry (DMin