“Client Transformation”: Spiritual and Non-Spiritual Outcomes for Social Service Recipients of Evangelical Faith-Based Organisations

Abstract

This brief paper outlines the various ways that Canadian Evangelical faith-based organisations in Southern Ontario effect “client transformation”. Data from qualitative interviews, focus groups, and surveys administered to clients and providers in faith-based organizations yielded two types of outcomes—spiritual and non-spiritual. Regarding the latter, I suggest two sub-types of non-spiritual outcomes: (a) socio-behavioural and (b) psycho-affective changes. I also suggest three major types of spiritual outcomes: (a) growing in Christianity, (b) warming to Christianity, and (c) accepting Christianity. I conclude with a discussion about implications and limitations of the study for the scholarship on faith-based organizations.

Keywords

• faith-based organizations
• social services