Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We are in the midst of an exciting series on exploring relevant research findings from Teleios! See all of our research on our website (www.teleiosresearch.com).

In a past survey about salvation, we received 244 responses. We asked what someone must believe to be a Christian, and how they explain this to others. Wow, we received some amazing answers!

Last week we discussed what extra beliefs many people add to salvation. This week let us explore how people share the gospel. When asked ‘What is sharing the Gospel?’ the answers were:

• Verbally telling a nonbeliever the specific message of salvation – 39%
• Living as a good example – 35%
• Encouraging others – 9%
• Inviting others to church – 7%
• Praying for others – 8%

Fortunately, directly sharing the plan of salvation was the most popular (39%), but as you can see there were many other answers.

We are fortunate that our gracious God has entrusted to us to be involved in other people’s lives by telling them they can spend eternity with God. What a wonderful truth to impart to others!

However, we have to tell them! If you discover a good recipe or sport site on the internet or social media, and are excited about it, do you verbally tell someone else or text them to let them know? My guess is you do not depend on a wordless lifestyle that would somehow magically transmit to your friends information about your new favorite site. You must verbally relay this message specifically, of course.

Unfortunately, people cannot interpret our lifestyle, as important as this is for a framework in sharing the gospel. Romans 10:15-17 is very clear, that for person to come to faith, they must hear the explicit plan of salvation and believe. Here is a simple direct ‘ready to use’ gospel message.

1. Man sinned.
2. God is just, requiring a punishment for sin.
3. But out of love God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who by dying on the cross, provided forgiveness of sins in taking man’s deserved punishment.
4. Therefore, by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and belief in His resurrection, man can gain eternal life.

Teleios examined why people are resistant to sharing the explicit plan of salvation at a Midwest bible-believing Church. We found the most common reason was not only social rejection, but also not knowing how to say the gospel itself.

In the hundreds of Bible studies we’ve been blessed to teach no student could tell us clearly the gospel, even non-succinctly. This not only prevented them from sharing with others, but also at times caused doubt in their own minds because they could not coherently tell themselves that they were forgiven and really saved.

Unfortunately, the hesitancy sharing the gospel is one of the greatest hurdles of believers advancing in their knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-10). Further, this hesitancy is associated often with fear on one side while creating internal guilt on the other side. This self-defeating battle is unfortunate as sharing the gospel does not need to be this way. It is actually quite easy and next week we’ll discuss exactly how to do it!

Thank you for joining us today. I consider it a privilege that you would read my blog.

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We continue our exciting series exploring relevant research findings from Teleios!

Teleios recently completed a survey of visitors to the Instagram site, GodsHolyScriptures. We had 224 participants: 93% were adolescents (< 18) and millennials (18-34), 60% evangelicals and 60% female. We asked them what they must believe to be a Christian. Wow, we received some amazing answers!

The good

Fortunately, almost all participants agreed that salvation was by faith through grace based on Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice for our sins on the cross (87%). Furthermore, most (60%) believed their salvation was secure after their belief through faith; all very scriptural, YAY! (Romans 10:9-11; Ephesians 2:4-10; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Peter 1:4-5; John 10:28-30).

The bad

However, high percentages of our participants also added in some extra biblical requirements for being saved, which are not mentioned in biblical salvation texts. The non-biblical additions to salvation were (percent agreeing with statement):

• Believe in the trinity (i.e., Father, Son and Holy Spirit) – 87%
• Believe heaven and hell are real places – 78%
• Believe the devil is real – 65%
• Believe in creation – 64%
• Believe every word of the Bible – 58%

Although our participants are admirable in their zeal, when sharing the gospel, we should be careful not to add burdens that God does not Himself mention. For salvation a person simply needs to believe in the sacrifice of Christ for their sins and His resurrection by faith.

Then upon belief, a person is regenerated by the Spirit to become a new person in Christ. They will then grow in orthodoxy, accepting the issues listed in the Table, by the help of the Spirit as they study and grow in biblical knowledge.

The ugly

Further, the participants also frequently added in some extra-biblical requirements for salvation, including being anti-abortion and water baptized (40% each). Again, these are important topics but have nothing to do with our salvation. Christ alone and His glorious sacrifice is sufficient to save us.

We have a wonderful Savior who has provided the amazing gift of salvation. For those who already have believed to salvation, He then graciously causes us to grow. Don’t make it hard for others! It is God who causes young believers to stand, not us (Romans 14:4).

Join us again next week as we continue to explore what one must do be saved and assured of salvation. We will continue the amazing findings of Teleios research and the advantages of the scripture.

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We recently started an exciting series about the compelling research findings from Teleios!

Teleios completed a survey about baptism. We had 189 participants, of whom: 61% were <18 years; 74% evangelicals; and 50% from the southeast or Midwest USA. In total 86% believed that they were saved by grace alone and 40% believed they could not lose their salvation.

We asked them if they had been baptized and the method. We also inquired as to what baptism signified. Although we have never seen data, in speaking with young people they often appear confused over the significance of baptism and what scripture says about it.

When asked how they were baptized, here are the top 4 answers and some associated meanings:

• Immersed as an adult (32%) – Strong differences in the rite of baptism exist across denominations. Immersion baptism, which perhaps most closely represents the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, is preferred strongly by Baptists. They believe generally the rite should be performed after salvation when the convert is old enough to make a responsible decision. Many Christians believe it symbolizes primarily a commitment to God by the new believer which was true also in or survey (20%).
• Sprinkled as a child (23%) – This form of baptism is preferred by several traditional denominations and is generally believed to convey either:
  • Forgiveness of the sin nature, and prior sins, allowing for a fresh start and working towards salvation, combined with grace (Catholic viewpoints)
  • Salvation in infants too young to make a decision for Christ. This protection lasts to the time of the age of responsibility (Presbyterian viewpoints).
  • Commitment by parents to raise a child in a Godly manner leaving the responsibility to the child to be saved and baptized as an adult (various individual churches).
• Never been baptized (19%) – Although this group might be seen as disobedient by Christians, the epistles, which contain the injunctions to the church, do not command water baptism. Water baptism is seen as an example at least once (Acts 8), and maybe more early in the book of Acts (speculative). In Scripture, it was performed in almost exclusively among early Jewish Christians early in the church. Of course, salvation itself is by grace alone with no added works required (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit at Salvation (15%) – This choice is closest to the meaning of baptism in the Epistles. The apostle Paul explained that spiritual baptism ‘identified’ us (βαπτιζω, baptizoo) in the death and life of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Baptism represents the regeneration by the spirit to a new person who can serve our Lord. This regeneration appears to occur at salvation accompanied by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6: 2-9; Colossians 2:11-13; Ephesians 2:4-7). Indeed, 68% of the participants in our survey believed baptism represented the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Titus 3:5).

The rite of baptism is a very controversial topic and often elicits strong emotions from people who believe one way or another. We have tried to comment in a scripturally-based and transcultural manner. Christians are free to water baptize out of faith in the method that they wish to demonstrate their commitment to our blessed Savior.

Join us again next week as we continue to look at the fascinating results of Teleios research and what they tell us about the truth of scripture and our Christian culture.

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We have been reviewing the exciting research findings from Teleios!

Teleios recently completed a survey of visitors to the Instagram account, Instapray, mostly all comprised of youth (<18 years) and millennials (18-34 years) and 77% self-identified evangelicals. We had 884 participants and asked them questions about their Christian lifestyle, and how church affected their wellbeing.

Amazingly, the church’s influence on wellbeing did not differ between youth and millennials (P=0.09).

What helped wellbeing the most? Participants could select up to 3 choices from a list of 12 items. Please find more complete results at https://teleiosgrant.com/influence-church-wellbeing/.

Well this is encouraging!

• Prayer (59%) – Prayer is a cornerstone of our Christian walk allowing us to come directly before God, unafraid and give our petitions to him for ourselves and others. By prayer also we praise God and thank Him (Hebrews 10:20-22; Philippians 4:6). The assembled church might assist prayer by acting as a guide to our supplications to God, a more expansive prayer experience and promoting prayer in our lives.
• Spiritual growth (56%) – Participants generally recognized the church helps them in their Christian lives and helps them become mature believers.
• Praise and worship (54%) – Praise of our gracious God for His righteous character and actions is essential for a healthy Christian Life. Praise allows us to remind ourselves that God’s thoughts and goals are greater than ours. God deserves our praise (Hebrews 13:15; Psalms 147-150).

But there is still room for growth …

• Emotional support (38%) – This finding is heartening in that young believers look to the church, perhaps specifically to the church leadership or their trusted Christian friends and colleagues, to help them through life with sympathy and advice. Access for young Christians, desiring support from believing peers, is an important function of the church.
• Comfortable and pleasing worship surroundings (35%) – I suspect that this finding is important not just in young people but for many older congregants as well. Indeed, a beautiful church, often combined with stirring music and liturgy combine to create an awe inspiring and encouraging ambiance.

Nonetheless, as Christians, we are commanded to take our Christian lifestyle beyond the mountaintop experience of a church service, or a faith-based conference, and practice our faith on a daily basis. Over time, scripture tells us that we should become confident in our relationship with God through knowledge and understanding; emotionally stable, making correct decisions between right and wrong, as well as teaching others (Hebrews 5:11-14; Colossians 1:27-2:3; Colossians 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:15-19).

Our Christian walk comprises generally of: prayer, praise, bible-based fellowship, learning scripture and teaching others scripture and the gospel (Acts 2:42,47). These practices promote our growth by the power of the Spirit to the maturity God desires for us (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:18).

The above list from our survey is encouraging in the emphasis of spiritual growth, prayer and praise in young church attendees. However, the amazing finding is that Christian youth have the same desires for their church experience as the millennial generation. It appears the Holy Spirit has used parents as well as church members, leaders and teachers to help form the next generation of believers to carry forth God’s great work. Thanks be to God!

Please join me next week as we continue to explore the church and wellbeing. Thank you for reading my blog.

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for visiting today. We have been covering the exciting research findings from Teleios!

Anxiety is a very common condition and is often defined as intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations (1). Anxiety is most unpleasant! Further, this condition is associated with a higher incidence of depression, suicide and substance abuse (2-4).

Fortunately, pharmaceutical treatments exist to help reduce anxiety, as well as non-pharmaceutical based therapies such as: herbals, meditation, yoga, psychological counseling, exercise, and refraining from drugs/alcohol and healthy sleep habits (5-7).

In addition, religious-based activities have been shown to alleviate stress and anxiety (8-11) and might be an important adjunct to other therapies. We reviewed recently the medical literature to determine the effect of religious practice on anxiety.

We found, in almost every study, that: religion in general, religious training, spirituality, faith, prayer, and church-based social support were associated with reduced anxiety (stress). In many instances depression was helped as well. These effects were observed in both otherwise healthy individuals and in various patient populations.

Importantly, the great majority of studies were performed in historically Christian countries.

Why would religion, in this case in primarily Christian countries, assist anxiety? The reasons are not known specifically, however, we speculate the following:

• The belief in the care of an almighty God taking a personal interest in a person’s psychological suffering (accessed through: prayer, worship, and religious training) might give comfort and hope.
• God’s direct intervention to assist the condition.
• The hope of an eternal life that surpasses the suffering on this earth might also give psychological comfort.
• Socialization with others of the same faith, inside or outside a place of worship, might provide a distraction from a person’s anxiety as well as a reminder of their religion’s teachings.

Christianity is unique among religions in that it assures access to God by faith alone in Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross (grace). In contrast, non-Christian religions, non-Bible believing denominations, and Christian cults perceive access to God by a system of works or a works/grace mixture. Such differences might make an important difference in a person’s psychological health based on their perceived acceptance by God.

The medical literature tends not to differentiate religions, or the extent of adherence to a particular religion, on the psychological impact of the individual. Future research should explore different religious tenants and their impact on mental health.

Our review suggests that religious practice and belief, as shown primarily in Christian countries, may assist individuals suffering with anxiety. Further research will hopefully provide better understanding of religious practices across cultures to enhance how clinicians can use this important aspect of patients’ lives to help treat their patients.

Thanks be to our glorious God that He has made us in wisdom, cares for us and helps us with our infirmities. Thank you for joining me today and come again next week as we continue the fruitful exploration of how Scripture helps us.

1. Anxiety, Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/basics/definition/con-20026282
2. Beesdo K et al. Incidence of social anxiety disorder and the consistent risk for secondary depression in the first three decades of life. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2007;64:903-12.
3. Gould MS, et al. Psychopathology associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among children and adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1998;37:915-23.
4. Smith JP, Book SW. Anxiety and substance use disorders: A review. Psychiatr Times 2008; 25:19-23.
5. Sarris J, et al. Complementary medicine, exercise, meditation, diet, and lifestyle modification for anxiety disorders: A review of current evidence. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; 809653.
6. Bystritsky A, et al. Current diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders. P T 2013;38:30-8,41-4,57.
7. Anxiety Treatment, Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20024562
8. Hamilton JB, et al. Reading The Bible for guidance, comfort, and strength during stressful life events. Nurs Res 2013;62:178-84.
9. Krause N. Gratitude toward God, stress, and health in late life. Res Aging, 2006;28:163-83.
10. Paukert AL, et al. Integration of religion into cognitive-behavioral therapy for geriatric anxiety and depression. J Psychiatr Pract 2009;15:103-12.
11. Berry D. Does religious psychotherapy improve anxiety and depression in religious adults? A review of randomized controlled studies. Int J Psychiatr Nurs Res 2002;8:875-90.

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We have been covering the exciting research findings from Teleios! We recently performed a survey evaluating how Christians make decisions, and how they decide is associated with personal wellbeing as well as adherence to the Christian walk. In total, 858 people participated; of whom 51% were students, 67% female, 77% evangelical and 20% ex-US nationals. The average age was 23 ± 10 years.

How Christians make decisions

The respondents indicated they most often make spiritual and secular based decisions by taking a step of faith based on the Bible, although less so with secular decisions (63 and 51% respectively), waiting for guidance from the Holy Spirit (58 and 45% respectively) or asking someone with experience on the topic (37 and 40% respectively).

Once a decision has been determined, 87% of participants pray for reassurance from God, while 59% took an action based on faith. However, 30% participants struggle with their decision, not being sure if it was correct.

Most believed their decision-making was either pleasing to God, or to the Spirit, or made in faith (about 55% for each selection) while about 20% for indicated their choices might be emotional or self-seeking. Participants thought God helped them make decisions by having a plan for their life (63%) while almost as many believed He led them based on the Bible (53%).

Effect on personal wellbeing

Personal wellbeing did not differ statistically among responses for spiritual decisions, but for secular decisions those who used wisdom from prior biblically based experience reported higher wellbeing (4.9) The rating scale was 0 – 6 with the higher number indicates the better score.

After a decision had been made those who generally acted based on their faith, or knowledge of God’s Word, noted higher wellbeing (4.7). Further, those who believed that God uses prayer to guide their decisions indicated higher wellbeing (4.8).

Effect of adherence to the Christian life

For those who were adherent to the Christian lifestyle (prayer, praise, fellowship, outreach and Bible study) most relied on biblically based wisdom and experience in determining decisions (4.2). After they decided, they most often sought reassurance from a mentor, or believed their decision was biblically based (score of 4.2). They typically believed God uses the Bible to lead them (4.2).

Summary

The findings of our survey suggest that Christians generally take decisions seriously basing their choices on what they perceive to be input from God, the Bible or the Spirit. However, those who most closely practiced their Christian walk and who based their decisions on God’s word enjoy better wellbeing than other survey participants.

A fuller description of findings can be found on the website at https://teleiosgrant.com/how-millennial-christians-make-decisions/.

Thanks for joining me today and come again next week as we continue the fruitful exploration of how scripture helps us.

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We have started a series on discovering exciting research findings from Teleios! Today let’s look at the compelling findings of a recent survey Teleios performed that explored the incidence of tares in the church.

A tare is a plant that resembles wheat, but cannot be correctly identified until harvest; so, Jesus’ term means those who appear as a Christian, but really are not true believers. Please read last week’s blog which discussed this fascinating topic.

To investigate the incidence of tares in the church, we performed a survey of users of the Instagram app, Instapray, often visited by young adult Christians. In total, 1526 individuals participated and 73% described themselves as evangelicals. Just over half had at least some college education and the average age was 23.

The key finding in the survey was that while 94% of participant, when prompted by the correct answer, indicated they were saved by grace, while only 16% (78% difference) had the confidence in the knowledge of their salvation to provide a correct answer without a written prompt. Was there a difference in the personal characteristics of this confident group of individuals who indicated without prompting they are saved by grace?

Participants who most confidently identified themselves as saved by grace:

• Adhered more closely to the practice of their faith (prayer, praise, fellowship, outreach, Bible study, sharing the gospel)
• Had greater confidence in the security of their salvation
• Indicated better personal general wellbeing but also specific measures of wellbeing such as: contentment, peace, joy and purpose
• Enjoyed reduced guilt levels

The Teleios survey reflects wonderfully how knowing and believing God’s word can impact a person’s wellbeing. Scripture indicates that our great salvation is by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) and those who understand this well enough to confess it without prompting, as well was believing that it cannot be lost, on average enjoy better wellbeing.

Participants who most confidently identified themselves as saved by grace also indicated they had less feelings of guilt. The reduced guilt levels might have resulted by this group’s better understanding of the complete sufficiency of Christ’s forgiveness and that there is no sin so horrendous for which Christ’s precious sacrifice did not atone. Indeed, what a great Savior we have who provides for us every benefit not only to salvation but also a mentally healthy life!

Summary, this survey suggests that if a young adult who identifies themselves as evangelical can express confidently that they are saved by grace, and actively practice their faith, they may possess higher levels of wellbeing than those who do not. More results from this survey can be found here https://teleiosgrant.com/index.php/gospel-survey/.

Thanks for visiting my blog today. I’ll look for you again next week.

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We have started a series on the exciting research findings from Teleios! Today let us explore the incidence of unbelievers a.k.a. “tares” in the church.

Christ promised in Matthew 13 that there would be tares in the church. A tare is a plant that resembles wheat but cannot be correctly identified until harvest); so, Jesus’ term means those who appear as a Christian, but really are not true believers. Christ indicated tares would be difficult to differentiate from true believers until the end times. Nonetheless, since the church includes unbelievers, we should try our best to discern their identity, so we might help them come to faith (1 John 2-4).

We investigated the potential incidence and effect of tares in the church by surveying users of the Instagram account, Instapray, often visited by young adult Christians. In total, 1526 individuals participated and 73% described themselves as evangelicals. Just over half had at least some college education and the average age was 23.

We evaluated the potential incidence of tares by asking participants how they were saved in a multiple-choice question which included no responses indicating ‘saved by grace’. To answer the question correctly the participant had to choose ‘other’ and supply the correct answer.

The second question then asked respondents if they were ‘saved by grace through faith alone.’ After seeing this, participants could not return to the prior question and change their answer.

Interestingly, in the first question only 25% knew the correct response was not available and supplied an answer under ‘other’. Of these, approximately 60% included some statement regarding being ‘saved by grace or faith without works’, approximately 16% of the total survey population.

In contrast, the second question, which provided the right answer as a choice, was selected by 95% of participants. These two questions created a spread of 16% – 95% (79% difference) between those who could express salvation by grace without a written prompt versus having to read the correct answer.

This is important to pastors and lay teachers because, it suggests at a minimum, a significant percent of people identifying as church attending evangelicals do not clearly and/or confidently understand their salvation; and might be a tare. Additional survey questions found that these potential tares often demonstrated several other attributes:

• Reduced adherence to the Christian faith
• Lower levels of wellbeing
• Greater levels of guilt
• Less favorable opinions of church leadership

Why is this information important? It may explain some of the difficulties in the modern church in accomplishing efficient and effective ministry. We found through our prior surveys that a significant minority of congregants come to church with alternative agendas than a biblically based purpose which include reasons of especially power and self-seeking attention.

If the church considers those with persistent alternative agendas, may not actually be Christian, it might help the leadership know how to help them. They need to hear the gospel! All the attention and approbation in the world will not solve their problem. 1 John 2-4 clearly states those who do not agree with the basic doctrine of Christ, do not show love or obedience, other church membership should lovingly question their salvation.

Thank you for joining me today. We’ll discover more about the Tare survey results in next week’s blog. Please join me then.

Guest Blog from Katherine, a teacher in the Teleios Bible Study Program

This past February, I had the great joy of being a Bible study teacher with Teleios’ Bible study program. When I was first offered the chance of being a teacher, I was hesitant and a little scared. I felt unqualified and unworthy of leading someone else through the Bible. I was letting my fear and anxiety overcome the potential to change someone’s life. I had several people in my life reminding me that I was indeed capable and qualified, but like all things in my life, it took trust and peace in God that gave me the push I needed. I had to remind myself that this fear and feeling of unworthiness was not coming from my God but from the enemy. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” I had all the resources I needed because I have the Spirit of the Lord dwelling in me.

Once I accepted the opportunity to be a teacher, some of the fear was still there but now I had confidence that God was going to use me for his glory, which is far bigger than my fear. Soon after, I was assigned to my student, and I got to jump right in. With the materials and guidance I received from Teleios, I felt prepared to lead my student through the scriptures.

For the next four weeks, I spent time getting to know my student and introducing her to the four-step inductive method of studying the Bible. After each week, I saw that not only was my student learning something new, but I was as well. One of the most interesting things about studying the Bible with someone is hearing the observations they make that differ from your own. It’s a beautiful reminder that the Word of God can always teach you something new no matter how many times you read it.

By the end of the 4 weeks, I had a new confidence in my worth and qualifications to teach the gospel. Throughout the process, I was reminded that there’s no amount of reading or teaching that can prepare you for the real thing. The best way to learn is through experience. And it was an amazing experience. It has encouraged me to take on a leadership role with my campus ministry as a student discipler. I am so excited to see how God will change my life and others now that I have stepped into this area of ministry.

It’s amazing what God can do in your life if you just simply say yes!

Welcome back to my blog. Thank you for taking time to read it.

We have been discussing the exciting research findings from Teleios! Over the past several weeks we have shown that peer-reviewed medical literature and Teleios scientific studies support improved wellbeing with Christianity in both healthy individuals and those suffering with disease!

Today let us explore meditation versus church attendance. Why do that? The world constantly tries to replace God with something they consider just as good, but consistent with their goals. Their biggest desire is to replace God with the state where everyone is individually tethered to the government for their life’s sustenance.

On a more personal level, the world often encourages the practice of meditation as a help to wellbeing. We see this in advertisements, particularly from drug companies, who wish to depict people in some pastoral setting maintaining some impossible postural stance, supposedly taking the company’s new medicine, and enjoying good wellbeing! Of course, God or prayer would never be considered in such ads.

Further, meditation is frequently used in the medical literature as a secular method to increase wellbeing for patients and at the same time avoid suggesting or endorsing religion.¹ However, surveys show individuals who attend church, at least occasionally, and the vast majority believe God exists. Our culture generally does not live in fields doing slow motion exercises as depicted on drug advertising. Accordingly, we reviewed the medical literature to compare the effect of meditation to church attendance on wellbeing in physically healthy subjects.

Our review included 37 articles and showed that several types of meditation practices, and church attendance of a variety of denominations, provided improved general wellbeing among physically healthy populations (read more details here https://teleiosgrant.com/church-attendance-meditation-wellbeing/).

However, such a simple solution as replacing religion with meditation has several potential problems:

• Meditation is a religiously based practice derived from Hinduism.² Therefore, the practice of meditation does not completely avoid religion.
• The long-term effect of meditation over a person’s lifetime has not been well studied. In contrast, historically, people that attended church their whole lives have done so without known general detrimental clinical effects.
• Meditation only is practiced by approximately 9% of individuals in the United States; whereas church attendance is a foundational institution in American culture, attended by 70% (at least once monthly to yearly).^3,4
• Christian church attendance is associated with other specific findings, not associated with meditation, which might positively contribute to general wellbeing such as:
  • Community service
  • Prayer
  • Socialization
  • Praise
  • Confidence in a positive relationship with God based in a biblical definition of eternal life as a free gift through faith in Christ’s sacrifice.^5-8
• Further, improved wellbeing is associated with adherence to the Christian walk.
  • The articles we reviewed did not differentiate the quality of Christian practice of participants, as church attendance is only one activity. Teleios has shown those who adhere more closely to their Christian faith have improved wellbeing. Accordingly, such practices might lead to improved wellbeing over what meditation would allow. A well-designed prospective study would be needed to show this.
  • In contrast, the several medical studies that have showed religion had no positive impact on wellbeing, the practice of the patients’ religion was internal (self-focused) much like meditation is by nature. Christianity at its heart is a service and love for others.

Our review of the medical literature suggests meditation and church attendance may offer a benefit to wellbeing. However, the complete practice of Christianity, which may include church attendance, generally provides better wellbeing than church attendance alone.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=meditation+well-being
2. http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/practices
3. https://nccih.nih.gov/research/statistics/NHIS/2012/mind-body/meditation
4. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/09/13/what-surveys-say-about-worship-attendance-and-why-some-stay-home/
5. MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of religious adherence to quality of life measures. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2013;19:251-5.
6. van Olphen J, et al. Religious involvement, social support, and health among African-American women on the east side of Detroit. J Gen Intern Med 2003;18:549-57.
7. Ryrie CC. Basic theology. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999.
8. MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of community service to personal wellbeing. Community Ment Health J 2014;50:577-82.