Table 1 Anticipated responses to requests to support community SSPs (Q20)
Codes | # of References | Verbatim Example |
|---|---|---|
Offer unqualified, immediate support | n = 73, 16% | I would personally support it and be willing to help with educational opportunities for my congregation. |
Offer spiritual supports (e.g., teaching faith-based classes, pastoral counseling) | n = 3, 1% | I would be open as long as spiritual issues could be addressed. Jesus can change lives. |
Talk to others in church about it (e.g., existing counsels, boards) | n = 66, 14% | I would schedule a time to meet bringing with me another staff or volunteer leader. After hearing the range of ways we could be supportive, bring those back to our congregational leadership for prayer and evaluation. |
Openly ask questions/request information | n = 182, 39% | I would want a lot of information since I know very little about the subject. I would also talk to a friend who works in public health about it. |
Only refer people to the SSP (no other involvement or collaboration) | n = 3, 1% | I would probably decline to host or to give vocal support as my church leadership would not be on board with it. However, I would refer people to some of the services of an SSP. |
Not sure or neutral | n = 31, 7% | I would not know how to respond. I don’t know anything about SSPs. |
Decline to provide tangible resources (e.g., money, space) | n = 11, 2% | Our church is not equipped to host the SSP, and our staff does not have the discretionary time to participate. |
Be willing to cautiously listen | n = 46, 10% | Tell me more about your program and why it would be a benefit rather than simply an opportunity for codependency? |
Refer the SSP organization to other community-based organizations | n = 5, 1% | I would encourage them to seek secular support and I would be willing to work with law enforcement as a Police chaplain. I am not comfortable with the idea of my church supplying drug paraphernalia. |
Decline support on ideological grounds | n = 54, 12% | SSPs might be useful in a secular setting but in a church setting we cannot participate in perpetuating the sin and destruction of illicit drug use and so we cannot be involved in or host SSPs |