Child Spirituality and Holistic Ministry: A Qualitative Study in Wonji Shoa, Ethiopia

This research is a qualitative study of child spirituality in Wonji Shoa, Ethiopia. The research project stemmed from observing divergent, categorical, skeptical, and restrictive views and actions on the spiritual dimension of children among stakeholders in positions of influence. The research focuses on an in-depth understanding of a group of Ethiopian children’s perspectives and experiences of spirituality and the implication this may have on holistic child ministry run by churches and parachurch organizations. The study involved children as primary sources in seeking answers to the overacting research questions: How can a better understanding of children’s views and experiences of spirituality in Wonji Shoa, Ethiopia, contribute to holistic child ministry? A phenomenological case study was applied as a methodological framework, and primary data were collected using group and individual interviews. The key findings of the study include: 1) Children’s understanding and experience of spirituality is multidimensional, including divine, religious, personal, worldly and evil spirituality; 2) Spirituality involves connectedness with the divine, religious and personal dimensions of spirituality and dissociation from evil spirituality, 3) Contextual factors influencing child spirituality are multifaceted, including people, religion, community and beyond community factors which are connected in weblike structure rather than the nested structure of the ecological theory. Through discussion of findings and review of contemporary theories, the concept of relationality’ is adopted as an overarching theme to revisit holistic child ministry. The research findings enhance holistic child ministry with a broader view of spirituality and spiritual contexts. The research contributes to the body of knowledge, the practical field of child ministry, policy formulation and methodological input for researching child spirituality with children.