Factors contributing to the development of an HIV ministry within an African American church

Background: Having an HIV ministry within a church depends on the religious culture of that church. However, little is known about how a church's religious culture influences an HIV ministry. This study's purpose was to examine how an African American church's religious culture supported the development, implementation, and maintenance of an HIV ministry within the church. Methods: An ethnographic case study research design was used. Data were collected through interviews (n=9), non-participant and participant observations, review of pertinent documents, and survey of congregants (n=50). Results: Results revealed the following themes as important for an HIV ministry: (a) a belief in helping others and treating everyone with respect and dignity, (b) feelings of compassion toward individuals infected with HIV, and (c) promotion of HIV education and awareness. Conclusions: The data showed that religious culture can be instrumental in providing a framework for understanding and supporting the church's role in an HIV Ministry. This information can assist in developing interventions to enhance the African American church's movement toward HIV ministries, risk reduction and support of HIV positive persons.