Table 1 Barriers and facilitators to implementation of a faith-based physical activity program (n = 22)

Characteristics of individuals

• Pastors/staff lack self-efficacy for and knowledge of PA

• Pastors have influence over churchgoers’ behaviors

“They never taught us that in priest school.”

“[The pastor] is a half-marathon runner, he’s being a little modest but you know they always see him in his warm up suit - people get more motivated.”

Inner setting—culture

• Churches can support a culture of overeating and unhealthy behaviors

• Churches implement programs aligned with their mission and values

• Church culture and norms are influenced by pastors and staff

“[In] the Hispanic culture everything is about food because you know when they sit around food they talk, fellowship, very intimate for people.”

“We can’t do everything, we want to keep us focused on doing the things that we know, that we should be focused on to make our vision a reality.”

“I get in trouble because I say ‘you know what some of us don’t look like temples we look like cathedrals.’”

Inner setting—implementation climate

• Churches have many competing priorities

• Many churches lack sufficient space and personnel

• Programs typically come from within the church

“You know, there are many programs out there, really good programs.”

“The first thing the pastor wants to know is, is this going to be more work for me?”

“One of the things we don’t do a lot is have somebody from the outside come in and start a ministry.”

Outer setting

• Denominational support is critical for program success

“Well if you could get it to come from the top because I will be there but a lot of [pastors who] won’t find the time unless it’s coming from the Diocese.”