The 'Wiki Encyclopedia of CityReaching' is collaboratively sponsored by the 'Center For Urban Innovation'... "Producing Innovative Multicultural CityReachers."

 

CityReaching Research

 

"May your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be … filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ." [ref]

 

[Link to a tongue-in-cheek piece at 'Lark News'
re the potential extremes of assessment in the Church]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Big Questions'... In what ways can objective assessment... help stimulate & accelerate the Great Commission?  Given that current data seems to reflect a largely-ineffective American model for doing 'church'... we now want to help explore and innovate... toward more-biblical models for carrying out the Great Commission. 

 

  • Here are some caveats on the topic in general... Dr. Van Rheenen's 'Helix Model' insights.

 

 

 

Research-Techniques Presentation at CCDA 2007, by Heidi Unruh -- (Outstanding!)  (published below with permission)

 

 

 

What research is currently available which provides meaningful data pertinent to reaching our cities for Christ?

 

  • Barna Research -- especially their annual "Faith By Market" Study Report... (cost $$$)... purports to show tons of metrics per major metro areas.  Here's at least one Barna report containing the national "4% Biblical Worldview" number which we refer to quite often.  And here's a copy we've archived for posterity.]  And apparently only half of Protestant pastors have a biblical worldview.  Pastor/blogger Mark Roberts addresses this research extensively (in a 2004 blog-post & series).  Here's Focus On The Family's 'Truth Project' aimed at biblical worldview. [albeit not necessarily sharing the same understanding of 'truth' as many others.]  Note: Often researchers vary in their definition of 'evangelical'.  Secular researchers tend to define 'evangelical' as... those who self-identify as 'evangelical' or 'born again'. Such a definition is a broad categorization often referred to as 'notional evangelicals'... vs. the tighter Barna definition based on actual core beliefs.  The Barna definition tends to be more useful, because it more highly correlates to actual transformation and behaviors.

     

  • Annual "State of the Church At Indianapolis" Report... is a research project we would very much like to do in December 2007 to get a baseline for measuring 2008 impact.
  •  
  • The center is also collecting inputs re some "Big Questions", such as...
  • What is the Model Urban Leader? (ie, CityReaching Leader)
  • What is the Model Church?
  • Is the Church commanded to be Multicultural?
  • What might a Model City Plan look like?  Do any cities have a 'cityreaching plan'?    Greater Wichita (Newton) area.  And Indianapolis is starting one.
  • What research exists re the 'effectiveness' of a 'neighborhood' church vs. a metro or mega church? 
  •  
  • Is there a Christian research clearinghouse which we need to be vitally aware of?
  •  

 

 

What research is current available re 'our neighbors'... ie, about people in general, and the communities around them?

 

Visit Lifeway Research Blog -- Ed Stetzer

 

 

 

 

Great Research Links:

 

 

 

Biblical basis for CityReaching research...    [To be developed....   let's build a number of biblical reference-links... Here are some initial thoughts... "taking serious assessment of oneself"... "test everything and hold onto that which is good"... Nehemiah surveyed the needs... Jesus looked over the city, knowing the needs, knowing some would reject his provision, and wept... Paul absolutely was planning and assessing what he needed to be doing next.  Proverbs... "Know the condition of your flocks, for a crown is not secure for all generations."  Paul's comments to pastors/elders of what to do re their flock.  The office of deacons arose from assessment and reporting of the needs caused by segregation in the early Church.  And importantly, look at the compelling assessment of the 7 churches in Revelation -- are they not also implied commands for ALL of us to take stock and ensure we're not guilty of those assessments?  Especially look at Thyratyria... using a time-based metric for change... ie, they're doing better over time.  Btw, a simple story that all Sunday school children know... little David assessed the need to take out the giant, and he remember God's promises to the Israelites -- he seemingly didn't even pray, he just went, picked up what he believed to be an optimal amount of stones for his slingshot... and went and did the job.  What other biblical references can you think of re 'assessment'... or 'investigating the needs or solutions'???]

 

Per Bill Hybels & Greg Hawkins (REVEAL) Video... "Facts are our friends."

 

 

**********************

 

Some impromtu notes during Mission America Coalition's teleconference call with researcher/author Michael Lindsay (Oct 2007)...

 

 

Dr. Lindsay's bio at Rice University

His new book:   "Faith in the Halls of Power"

His other books, and by similar authors & topics.

 

  • WSJ Review article
  • Michael's YouTube video
  • Gallup Guidebook
  • Social Explorer (.com) 
  • Not all research is equal... check "Response Rate"... should be at least in the 40-70% range.
  • Get diverse inputs, in a focus group.  [Maybe even ask... Are there others who would be vitally interested in these sorts of things?]
  • book differentiates 'populist' evangelicals (outspoken) vs. 'cosmopolitan' evangelicals (low-key, 'authentic lifestyle').
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Q:  "How Are We Doing?"  (best metric?) say annual snapshots of impact?
  • Q:  "Share some special insights re 'new media' as it's accelerated change in the RESEARCH world."

 

 

Some cityreachers expressing interest in further research:

 

  • Bill Chastain, Dallas
  • Timothy Conner, Wichita
  • Wayne Crooks, San Antonio
  •  
  •  
  •  

 

 

******************

 

Some stray notes during Pastor Hudson's lecture re Research Methods of "New Media for Urban Change".

 

  • Free information sources provides a lot of useful info.  However, generally not acceptable for official research papers.
  • Cheap information may be too 'expensive' to use -- there's no replacement for effective quality.
  •  
  • Informational Cascades? 
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Consider 'The Star' or Inquirer, etc.   ...vs. the Indianapolis Star.
  • Consider the author, the potential 'agenda'...
  • Btw, Google News effectively filters sources.
  • But there's no replacement for reviewing the underlying data and credentials.
  • Is your source a blog, politically-motivated company or government source?
  • But the converse is also true sometimes... some bloggers tend to be fact-checkers and expose poor research or misuse of facts.... lying with percentages, for instance.
  • Does your research consider the methodology that may be impacted by various cultures.
  • Peer review of researchers?  Christian researchers?
  • But New Media (bloggers) if astute, may be able to help change the world by challenging assumptions, and by fact-checking.
  • Hybels statement re good communicator needs to be responsible for truth!  Likewise, us as 'new media'.
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Erv's questions...  What is that (ie, describe it further so I'm clear on what you're saying)?  Where did you get that? (ie, how authoritative?)  Why do you personally believe that's true?  What if you're wrong?
  •  

 

 

 

 

 


Page Information

  • 1 month ago [history]
  • View page source
  • You're not logged in
  • No tags yet learn more

Wiki Information

Recent PBwiki Blog Posts