An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

Saving Lives, Our Healthier Nation (Department of Health 1999), The NHS Plan (Department ofHealth 2000) and Legislations such as The NHS and Community Care Act (Department of Health1992). A strategy which takes account of the substance of religious faith and practice rather thanjust seeing it as one extra counselling resource is needed.The findings from the data give a clear indication that church attendees in bothorganizations uses the opportunity to seek healing and use this as complementary tomedical and nursing care. Indicated recommendations are made that more research isneeded, and that the churches, especially the Black Pentecostals, should familiarizethemselves with the discourses and practices of academic research, so that they can presenttheir own contributions fairly and cogently, and understand and engage with critiquesmade by those of other or no faith traditions. Increased interaction between congregationsfrom different ethnic traditions can only improve such understanding.20