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

CHAPTER THREEMETHODOLOGY3.1 IntroductionAfter initial reading, the two congregations chosen for fieldwork belonged to the UnitedReform Church (URC), and the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). The latter, although ithas roots in the 19 th century American Holiness Movement, as detailed in Chapter Fourand contrasted with URC history, is, in its UK embodiment, part of the Black Pentecostalmovement which has developed in Britain since the 1950s. The different Christianreligious cultures of these two congregations were theorized as connecting with the overallethnic and domestic culture of the members, which includes their health and illnessbehaviour. The research strategy focused on the cultural practices of the people and thenature of the healing in the culture environment of the two churches. Even beforebecoming a church member each person would have been brought up in families with theirown understandings of what to do when one becomes ill, when to use folk medicine or themedicine of their ancestors or other villagers and when to seek professional medical help.When they become members of a church all the domestic and folk health and healingpractices continue in some form and become a part of the faith-based healing practicesalthough this may go beyond the teachings of the bible.The researcher is a longstanding church member and also a health professional. She hasrevealed some of her own experiences so the reader can understand from where she is63