In this web page you will find seven research models.
All of them, save one, are directly connected
to a church planting model. Each of the seven is used in Europe. Some are in the East others
are
in all parts of Europe. Church planting models that had clear research models were the ones that
were considered for this study. It is true that there are a number of effective evangelistic models
or
methods and a lot of good effort is being put into church growth across Europe. However the focus
of this study is on the research that is connected with church planting models. The European
Missions Researcher's Round Table (EMRRT) is developing a community of researchers whose
mission is to "Gather and effectively communicate accurate, relevant research in order to influence
strategic decision making and to stimulate prayer and action"
In an attempt to enhance the influence or effectiveness
of our research I have analyzed the main
research models connected with the most widely used church planting models in Europe. The
assumption or hypothesis of this work is that the research models share a common research
core. The idea being that if the EMRRT can clearly identify this core research need then it could
focus its attention on obtaining that core information. In this way it could clearly and effectively
communicate both accurate and relevant research to the existing church planters using the major
church planting models.
Clearly, the core information would not be the complete
research needed for any church planting
model. However, it would point the church planter and researcher in the right direction and put
them ahead in their efforts since some of their work will have already been done by the network of
researchers connected with the EMRRT.
The EMRRT would also provide mentoring for researchers
and helpful research standards, forms,
questionnaires and a community for encouragement. The EMRRT will also help researchers
develop presentations of their research for effective communication so that strategic decision
making can be easier and so that prayer and action would be stimulated.
So, I set out to find this core research model, a common
denominator of research information
needed to fuel the existing church planting models. But as one person said, "What for? I mean,
let's face it, they are in pretty different directions - what is the obvious value of some 'common
denominators?'" The answer goes like this: If we
build a product that will serve all of Europe and
all of the missions agencies in Europe then we could offer them the core research that each of
them with their different church planting models needs. They themselves could then add the extra
research that might be missing for their particular church planting model. We would in turn be able
to help them through our mentoring program.
We could, of course, simply focus on getting the basic
information for each country. It is true that
researching the number of denominations, missionaries, churches, para church organizations and
church members for each province and big city of Europe would be a huge accomplishment in and
of itself. However, if the EMRRT could put in a little bit more effort we could add a few 'handles'
to
the data set to make it more useable or more easily applicable to specific best practice church
planting models. If we give it a clean cutting edge - clear ways to apply the research to specific
models - then it would be more helpful for stimulating growth.
Finding a common denominator research model from seven
well established research models is no
easy task. They sometimes have definitions of key elements that differ and have different
applications of the research that they do. However, there are four areas where they are all in
agreement. They divide their research into, harvest field, harvest force, analysis and products
or
reports.
Take a look at the common denominators section of this
web page and see for your self the
diversity and unity of their models. In each major division there is a place to put your own
comments. What agreement do you see in their efforts? What models do you think are the closest
to one another? Of the seven models which one do you prefer for yourself?
You can also take a look at the 'Main Common Denominators'.
I have put together the things that
the models mostly have in common. It would be interesting to discuss your opinions. What
do
you think are some of the implications of their agreement? Do the these common denominaters
cover enough information for you or what you would like to do?
