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EFC researcher Lindsay Callaway takes Canada Watch readers behind the scenes of research that serves the Canadian Church.
When you think about the job of a researcher, you might think of someone wearing a lab coat who makes observations behind a two-way mirror, or interviews panelists in a stiff tone. But ministry research doesn’t happen in a laboratory. It’s impossible to be distant and disinterested when research questions align with our own concerns about the Church in Canada.
Both the recent Parenting Faith and Significant Church studies began with literature reviews. That means I spend hours reading foundational publications. That reading helps inform the questions we ask interview respondents.
As I read, I’m aware of being a parent, wife and church member. Often, I’m reading in my son’s room where my workspace is located, and I’m not only making physical notes to inform a literature review document, but I’m making a mental note to share an insight with my husband or the young woman I’m mentoring.
I recently finished a book that provided a prescient cultural analysis of the Canadian context, and I thought to myself, “I’m so thankful it’s my job to do this.” Then I begin to think how I will summarize and share the findings so pastors, leaders and practitioners can benefit from the content immediately through a podcast or a presentation – even as it will help shape the research.
Research, the way we do it, is as much about building trust as it is about collecting data. For example, in our work on family faith formation I often found myself telling respondents I am a fellow parent. I could sense a shift in their willingness to open up to me once they knew I resonate with their worries and struggles. Respondents share their experiences more openly when they sense being treated not like a lab rat but like a fellow disciple figuring out the cruciform life. In the end, that means I gather more accurate data – and the research findings are strengthened.
Now that the reports are published I’m presenting findings to groups of leaders and practitioners. In the same way interviewees share more openly when they know I’m on their side, presentation audiences are more receptive when they know I’m interested and invested in the findings myself.
For example, as I’m speaking about our small church study and share that I’m a pastor’s wife, the room relaxes because they know I understand some of the unique challenges associated with ministry life. This type of engagement increases the likelihood the findings will be shared and applied in meaningful ways.
The model we can adopt at the EFC’s Centre for Research on Church and Faith, because of generous donors, allows for relationships to form and trust to be built because we’re doing
research with Evangelicals, for Evangelicals, as Evangelicals. Conducting research in partnerships over several years might not be the easiest or fastest way to do research, but it means the people we serve help us shape a research study that is relevant and useful to them.
We are not just conducting research to publish numbers as if they are last night’s scores from the hockey game, but we’re monitoring signs of church life as those who are committed to seeing the Church thrive in Canada in the name of Jesus. I’m so thankful donors believe in this model of research.
How you can help
- Let people in your circles know about the Centre for Research on Church and Faith and recent research projects like Parenting Faith and Significant Church.
- Please keep praying for each of the three EFC centres and the work you enable us to do in Canada.
- Know that we are thankful for the EFC donors who offer prayer and support.
Also in this issue: Faith Today TV Goes Live, EFC speaks to human rights in Canada, Abuse Awareness and Prevention Network. A note from EFC President David Guretzki