As many as 1 to 1.5 million Americans may be infected with the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. But how many churches have encountered someone with AIDS?
Slightly more than 10 percent, according to a survey conducted by the research department of Christianity Today, Inc. A higher percentage of pastors are personally acquainted with someone diagnosed with HIV, the AIDS virus.
Nearly 500 surveys were mailed to a random sample of LEADERSHIP subscribers. With 56 percent completed and returned, the following figures are accurate to within a 6 percent margin.
To your knowledge, has any person in your church tested positive for the AIDS virus? Overall, responses were 12 percent yes, 88 percent no.
The responses varied greatly according to church size. In churches with attendance of 200 or less, 6 percent answered yes. In churches of 201-500, 15 percent answered yes. In churches of 500 or more, 26 percent said yes.
To your knowledge, has any person in your congregation died of AIDS or its complications? Overall, 8 percent said yes, 92 percent no.
Again answers varied according to church size. In churches of 100 or less, yes responses were given by 3 percent; of 101-200, 7 percent; of 201-500, 10 percent; of 500 or more, 11 percent.
To your knowledge, has a friend, acquaintance, or relative of yours been diagnosed with AIDS? Overall, 27 percent said yes; 73 percent no.
Interestingly, those who had encountered AIDS in their congregations did not find it seriously divisive. Of those who knew of a person in the church who had either tested positive or died of AIDS, only 6 percent answered yes to the question Did it create a crisis in your church?
For 94 percent of those facing AIDS, the church apparently was able to handle the situation without a crisis.
– Marshall Shelley
Copyright © 1989 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
