RT Article
T1 Focus Groups Help Congregation Improve Its New Member Ministry
JF Review of religious research
VO 45
IS 1
SP 68
OP 77
A1 Scannell, Alice Updike
LA English
PB Springer
YR 2003
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1822414873
AB An Episcopal congregation used focus groups to improve its ministry to new members. The author worked with the New Member Ministry Team to design and implement the project. Findings showed that people come from different "church experience" backgrounds and may need customized approaches to being welcomed and assimilated into the life of a new congregation. Those who assimilate most easily are people who have been, as adults, members of another congregation. Potential new members are alert for messages of "welcome" and "not welcome" in their first visits. "Not welcome" messages include difficulty finding places in the building, not knowing what words to say in worship when responses are not printed, and being ignored at the coffee hour. People have different expectations when they seek a church, ranging from opportunities for spiritual growth and service as individuals or families to finding a community with inspiring worship and shared values. Focus groups are especially useful when the research questions seek to capture insights, perceptions, explanations or comparison of experiences. Findings resulted in the improvement of intentional hospitality and the assimilation of new members into congregational life.
DO 10.2307/3512501