Attachment and Spiritual Maturity 42
scores would vary as a function of religious leadership training (Benson et al. 1993).
This study therefore included religious training measures as covariates in order to examine the possibility of a confounding relationship between religious training and spiritual maturity.
Measurement ofVariables
Dependent Variables
Spiritual Maturity
The Faith Maturity Scale (FMS) is used to assess spiritual maturity (Benson et
al. 1993). Benson defined faith maturity as the degree to which a person embodies the
priorities, commitments, and perspectives characteristic of vibrant and life-transforming
faith, as these have been understood in 'mainline' Protestant traditions. This definition
places the focus on indicators of spiritual maturity development rather than on faith
itself. This maturity scale presents eight core dimensions of faith maturity. The total
measure of faith maturity includes all of the eight dimensions.
The eight core dimensions of total faith maturity that are measured are:
1. Trusts in God's saving grace and believes firmly in the humanity and
divinity of Jesus;
2. Experiences a sense of personal well-being, security, and peace; 3. Integrates faith and life, seeing work, family, social relationships, and political choices as part ofone's religious life; 4. Seeks spiritual growth through study, reflection, prayer, and discussion with others; 5. Seeks to be part of a community of believers in which people give witness to
their faith and support and nourish one another;
6. Holds life-affirming values, including commitment to racial and gender equality,
affirmation of cultural and religious diversity, and a personal sense of
responsibility for the welfare of others;
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