Research Project Chapter Three Discernment

Chapter Three

The data began to reveal two areas to explore: (1) how pastors with transitional ministry training seek support in the on-going, broad application of learning and (2) what forms of support might be most beneficial to PC(USA) pastors with training and experience in short-term calls? ... This study was gaining clarity about the research topics.

Last week I shared the theological foundations of my project--namely, the stories of Moses, the Apostle Paul, and early church leader Titus--and insight into my quest to build of circle of conversation partners within the transitional ministry community. This week I share the trajectory of the study that emerged from those foundations. 

Chapter three describes the catalyst for my project: a meeting in which seven of my peers and I discussed the rewards and challenges of short-term transitional ministry and our concerns about how to make the role more sustainable and better understood by church and marketplace leaders. Subsequent revelations and events ultimately led to the design of a robust online survey, supported by one of the leading transitional ministry training sites. This chapter outlines the research methodology, including the types of questions in the survey, the sample population, and the coding, analysis, and triangulation employed. It culminates with a detailed description of follow-up interviews conducted with a select group of participants to generate a richer description of their experiences.

In this project the researchcher’s discernment centered on the capacity to recognize and respond to patterns emerging from interactions with the sample population.

Practical Outcome Three: Learn to discern emerging patterns of feedback.
LINK to Chapter Three Challenges

Photo - Jason Goodman