Nurturing well‐being through religious commitment: challenges for mainstream Christian churches

Abstract

Being highly active within a religious tradition has often been associated with an increased sense of well‐being. In contemporary culture in much of the Western world, however, the level of engagement of young people, especially, within many religious traditions is declining. This paper will examine a number of factors associated with nurturing high levels of religious engagement and commitment. The overriding framework for this discussion is that if individuals see religious belief and practice as plausible, then they are more likely to become committed to them. No single factor is more important in encouraging and sustaining high levels of religious commitment than the support of a social network or community that upholds such plausibility. Such a community provides a strong affective experience, serves as a place for questioning, exposes youth to mentors, and establishes boundaries.