sustain:if:able kiwi

Transforming Work with Brill (2024)

Delighted with the publication of Transforming Work: Missiological Perspectives for the Church in the World.

Several chapter authors have provided short summaries of their work.

an open door to welcome cohort C

Cohort C in my action research into the social impact of spiritual practices began last night. There was an open door on a chilly autumn evening.

Cohort C is a variation of cohort A, B and D (which begins tonight). Cohort C is shorter – 4 weeks not 8. Cohort C has different snacks – Werthers Originals. Cohort C is a different practice – silence. There are reasons for these variations, which I might explain in a future post.

But amid the changes, the same four ways to gather data remain. As part of the Psychology and Theology Cross-training research fellowship funded by John Templeton through the University of Birmingham (my project is described here), I am gathering data using surveys, focus group, individual journals and my participation. Together, this gives me qualitative and quantitative data, shared individually and with others.

On the first night we made introductions. Spiritual practices were introduced, first in general, then specifically in relation to silence. A candle was lit and we settled into a period of shared silence. We began with 10 minutes on our first night. It will be 20 minutes the second week, and 30 minutes the third week. Could sitting in silence with others have a social impact?

a table to welcome research cohort B

Yesterday involved laying a table of welcome for cohort B in research investigating the social impact of spiritual practices. The welcome included the offer of participant diaries to record individual experiences and a pre-survey. Plus cheese and crackers and my research diary for ethnographic observations as I introduce spiritual practices and we begin 8 weeks of exploration.

There is a lot of energy involved in recruiting participants, then finding a time and venue that works. So week 1 has a sense of anticipation and expectancy, as strangers connect, questions are clarified and we settle in our shared experience of spiritual practice.

The highlight was a participant holding two types of journal diary – one hard cover, the other white daisy – one in each hand, weighing which they would choose as a companion for recording their experiences over 8 weeks.

grassroots digital activism 12 months on

A year ago today I submitted my research ethics approval to undertake novel research into grassroots digital activism in climate justice. I was wanting to hit the ground running with my Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities (IASH) Fellowship through Edinburgh University in June and July 2024.

My interest in researching grassroots digital activism in climate justice had been sparked by two experiences. First, research with Te Pae Tawhiti 2040 project on the future of theological education for the Anglican Province of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and being in Fiji hearing the priority of climate justice among those in the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia. Second, being asked to write a book chapter on mission and digital cultures for a handbook with Oxford University Press and finding less research on the marks of mission of treasuring creation than telling and tending disciples.

Thankfully, the ethics approval was granted and the Fellowship with IASH was a great experience. In the 12 months since, a range of research outputs have flowed. These include a journal article with Theology and an academic book chapter with Bloomsbury (both forthcoming). There have been 4 presentations of the research. Plus a successful 1 day Colloquium back in Edinburgh in April this year, which I continue to progress toward an edited book.

Yesterday I pulled out the ethics consent forms. I needed them as I talked with a digital activist group about their possible participation in the project and as I write up a second book chapter. It was uncanny how 12 months on, the ethics consent forms still exactly fit with how the research has unfolded.

Looking at the ethics consent forms helped me recall the excitement and vulnerability of starting a new research project and stepping into an overseas university ethics process. Along with joy at what has resulted and hopefulness about the ongoing future of this particular research project.

Recruiting research participants = buying journals

One of the best parts of researching spiritual practices is buying research journals for my participants.

Journals are one of several ways I am gaining feedback. A survey at start, middle and end offers insight into impact over time. A focus group middle and end allows participants share their experiences with each other. An individual journal, completed weekly, captures unique insights and individual experiences. Together this mix of quantitative and qualitative data illuminates how people experience spiritual practices (for more on this 12 month Cross-training research fellowship with University of Birmingham, go here).

It was a joy this week to observe a participant in cohort A write something in their journal as they made a connection in the middle of exploring a spiritual practice. While I am learning with and from cohort A, now into it’s third week of exploring, I have been busy recruiting for further cohorts. I have waved journals as part of a verbal notice in a church service and providing information for church newsletters. I have even provided short videos, to play in church services when I have been busy with other commitments.

As a result of my recruiting, I have 3 more cohorts getting underway over the next few weeks. Which is quite daunting, as it means a very busy data gathering phase. But also really exciting as the number of participants increase and the variety of experiences multiplies.

And I get to buy more research journals! All with research ethics information pasted inside, along with the four writing prompts to get people started. All arranged in piles on the floor – for cohort B, C and D.

Because one of the best parts of researching spiritual practices is buying research journals!

recruiting for social impact of spiritual practices cohort

It was fun to be recruiting yesterday for participants in my social impact of religious practices research project. I did a short promotion in the notices at a local Presbyterian church, complete with flier to wave, along with consent forms and information sheet.

I was helpfully introduced as a person of many parts – minister, leader and theological educator. And for in that moment – researcher.

The social impact of religious practices research is made possible through the support of a grant from John Templeton Foundation, awarded via the grant entitled “New Perspectives on Social Psychology and Religious Cognition for Theology: Training and Developing Science-Engaged Theologians,” University of Birmingham.

Exploring Christian practices research cohort

I was very excited to begin a social impact of religious practices cohort this week. It was great to welcome participants with a hot drink and a heated room as I gathered their consent forms.

We then made introductions, first of ourselves, next of the research. As a Psychology and Theology Cross-training Fellow, I am learning about Christian practices through action-research, exploring practices with others over 8 weeks, gathering their feedback through several short surveys, focus groups and individual journal keeping.

A key resource is Adele Ahlberg Calhoun’s Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform us (IVP, 2005). She defines spiritual practices as processes that “put is in a place where we can begin to notice God and respond” (Calhoun, 20).

As part of the introduction, I talked about two approaches to exploring spiritual practices. One is the smorgasboard approach, where you spread out a buffet of practices and pick and choose across a wide range of practices. Another is the savour approach, where you go deep by focusing on a specific practice.

I introduced the “go deep” spiritual practice we will be savouring and we began our first week of exploration. How people respond is already providing rich insights into how people experience Christian practices.

I am wanting to recruit several cohorts, as part of learning with and among different communities. So if you or your church community might be interested, do message me.