The role of praise and worship activities in spiritual well‐being: perceptions of a Pentecostal Youth Ministry group

Abstract

The present study explores the role of ‘praise and worship’ activities in the spiritual well‐being of a select group of Pentecostal youth. Forty youth members completed an adapted version of the Spiritual Well‐being Scale (SWBS) and a questionnaire. In addition to ranking ‘praise and worship’ activities, they were asked about the roles that Involvement in the youth group, Praise and worship activities and Music in the youth group play in their experience of spiritual well‐being. On the praise and worship activities, they ranked ‘Prayer’ as the most important activity with keeping ‘Silence’ as least important. Their youth group involvement offered personal and spiritual ‘guidance and growth’ while the praise and worship activities helped them cope with difficulties. Music was experienced as uplifting and transforming. A ‘sense of connection’ was a common response emerging from their involvement in the group, in praise and worship, and the music. The implications of the findings for youth development are offered.

Keywords:

• Pentecostal youth
• praise and worship
• music