The Church: A Healing Community

Alarming HIV infection rates among African American and Latina women, especially in the Los Angeles county, should be on the agenda of churches. The church is uniquely positioned to respond to this human crisis in several ways. First, “religious leaders are trusted and religious institutions reach people from all walks of life, especially hard-to-reach populations” (Musgrave, Allen, and Allen 2002). Second, the church has the credibility and opportunity to speak to issues affecting its communities like HIV/AIDS. Third, the church must reflect theologically and missiologically on its response to HIV/AIDS. In a WCC report titled Facing AIDS: The Challenge the Church’s Response the authors comment that, “the Church, by its very nature as the body of Christ, calls its members to become healing communities” (WCC Publications 2002). They reflect on the 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 passage which partly reads, “…If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (2002). WCC argues that, “when the church properly responds to people living with HIV/AIDS, both ministering to them and learning from their suffering, its relationship to them will indeed make a difference, and thus become growth-producing” (2002).

One of the many ways that churches can learn more about the impact of the HIV/AIDS phenomenon on women is listening to the stories of women who are HIV+. Through interviewing many African American, Latina, and Kenyan HIV+ women, I learn valuable insights on the influence of spirituality in the lives of each woman. For example, my findings suggest that spirituality influences how each woman makes meaning of their experiences, impacts healthful decisions they make, and is culturally embedded in the African American and Latino experience hence it is intertwined in their family and community life and experiences.

Based on my research and interviews both in Kenya and Los Angeles I propose the following suggestions for churches wanting to get involved with women in their community who are HIV+. First, churches could provide supportive communities for the women to share their stories as they strive to make healthful decisions that are consistent with their spiritual values and beliefs. Next, churches can partner with ministries and organizations that care for women of color and allow their stories to be voiced. Through these organizations and ministries, women often seek to have their community and spiritual needs met. By listening to the voices and stories of HIV+ women in their congregations and communities, churches can discern the needs of women and determine what resources they can offer to reach the women and their families.

This concludes my series on HIV/AIDS for now, if you are interested in any of my sources referenced above, please let me know and I will send you my bibliography. Have a great week!