Involving the Faith Community in Teen Pregnancy Prevention

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INVOLVING THE KEY PLAYERS44is a problem, but may have seriousdisagreements about thebest way to solve the problem.Just because congregations sitat one table does not mean theyagree on all things. The natureand depth of these differenceswill affect efforts to unite the faithcommunity on the issue of teenpregnancy. A program’s intentionaleffort to create ongoingdialogue among members of thefaith community will help themstay connected to the work.Recognize the faith community’scontributionAppreciate the efforts made bythe faith community to be apartner in prevention. Acknowledgeits contributions to buildingthose personal “assets” thatreduce the risks for adolescents.Programs should provide publicacknowledgment of the effortsbeing made by their faith communitypartners, and expresspersonal thanks to their partners.Explore additional waysto work togetherThe more programs involve thefaith community, the moreopportunities for additional collaborationwill materialize. Asnew ways open for programsand faith communities to worktogether, programs should beready to explore the openingfrontiers with faith communitypartners with the idea that itshould be good for both.ConclusionThe faith community is a keyconstituent in any community orstate. When a teen pregnancyprevention program initiatesand carries out a partnershipwith a faith community that ischaracterized by positive intention,respect, and carefulattention to cultivating areasof agreement and resolvingpotential areas of disagreement,it has everything to gain.
ReferencesBenson, P.L., Williams, D.L., &Elkin, C.H. (1990). EffectiveChristian education: A nationalstudy of Protestant congregations—A six-denomination report.Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.Blum R., & Rinehart, P.M. (1997).Reducing the risk: Connections thatmake a difference in the lives ofyouth. Minneapolis, MN: Universityof Minnesota Division of GeneralPediatrics and Adolescent Health.(To order, write: Box 721, 420Delaware St., S.E., Minneapolis,MN 55455).Eklin, C.H., & Roehlkepartain, E.C.(February 1992). The faith factor:What role can churches play inat-risk prevention? SourceNewsletter, 8(1), 1.Love, A.A. (1997, December 18).Poll: Americans joiners, not loners.The Washington Post Internet site.National Center for Health Statistics(NCHS). (1995). 1995 NationalSurvey of Family Growth. Washington,DC: National Center for HealthStatistics.Roehlkepartain, E.C., & Scales, P.C.(1995). Youth development in congregations:An exploration of thepotential and barriers. Minneapolis,MN: Search Institute.45Programs mentioned in this chapterAllen Chapel AME ChurchRev. Leon Lipscombe2498 Alabama Ave., SEWashington, DC 20020(202) 889-7296Fax: (202) 889-2198Chicago Fellowship of FriendsSteve and Marlene Pedigo, Co-Pastors515 W. OakChicago, IL 60610(312) 944-4493Church Mentoring NetworkBennie L. Scott, Area MentoringDirector210 N. Community Center3601 N. Broad St.Philadelphia, PA 19140(215) 223-8574Fax: (215) 223-2105Clínica Tpeyac, NuestrosMilagros, and Our Lady ofGuadeloupe Catholic ChurchFlorencia Gonzalez or Virginia Munoz3617 Kalamath St.Denver, CO 80211(303) 458-5302Fax: (303) 433-7452HEART of OKCOklahoma Institute for ChildAdvocacySharon Rodine, Project Director420 N.W. 13th St., Suite 101Oklahoma City, OK 73103(405) 236-5437Fax: (405) 236-1690Email: sjrodine@aol.comTHE FAITH COMMUNITY
Page 1: 7CHAPTERInvolving the Faith Communi
Page 4: FOR MORE ONHANDLING CONFLICTSee Cha
Page 7 and 8: Reach out respectfullyand carefully
Page 9 and 10: training and resource material.They
Page 11 and 12: • becoming full members;• sendi
Page 13: Sustaining a relationship with fait
Page 17 and 18: APPENDIXNine Tips to Help Faith Lea
Page 19 and 20: APPENDIXwithin the context of your
Page 21 and 22: APPENDIX9. Reach out to other faith
Page 23: APPENDIXThe Role of Religious Congr

Involving the Faith Community in Teen Pregnancy Prevention

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