Action Research Project
Framing the Research Problem
Brad Poorman
October 26, 2005
1. Problem:
- McMurry University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church . The Christian aspect of its mission is very important in distinguishing who McMurry is as evidenced by its Core Values.
Christian Faith as the foundation of life,
Personal Relationships as the catalyst for life,
Learning as the journey of life,
Excellence as the goal of life,
and Service as the measure of life.
McMurry feels in order to fulfill its mission it not only needs to maintain its ties to the Methodist Church , but strengthen them.
- All churches need more qualified lay leaders. Churches are run by volunteers. They serve on committees, teach classes, fill in when the preacher is absent, and represent the local congregation at the higher organizational levels of the Church. In order to effectively perform those functions a qualified pool of leaders is needed. In many churches either those qualified leaders don't exist, or are hesitant to volunteer because of a lack of training.
The General Conference of the Methodist Church recognizes this need and has reaffirmed the tradition of lay preachers and leaders serving within their own Christian communities by the creation of a Certified Lay Minister in 2004.
Therefore my research question is:
How can the use of on-line tools provide educational training and support for the development of a learning community to help meet the need for trained lay leaders in the United Methodist church and establish a community of practice for those lay leaders to support their continued growth and development of expertise in effective lay leadership?
2. Proposed Solution:
My Action Research Project would be to develop an online lay leader training program to be administered by McMurry University . Lay leaders share the core values of Christian Faith, Personal Relationships, Learning, Excellence, and Service with McMurry which makes for a perfect match.
The program would consist of two learning tracks. Common characteristics for both tracks would be to present lay leaders with practical knowledge and resources. Both tracks would also attempt to develop Communities of Practice where lay leaders can continue to learn how to better serve from each other.
Track 1:
One track would be designed for those individuals interested in becoming a Certified Lay Minister. The certification track will be more academically rigorous as the church has established course requirement for the certification. There would also be a portfolio component to the certification process since that is part of the information used by the review committee.
Generally a person wanting to become a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) has a job and therefore to get the coursework necessary to achieve certification is often impeded by time constraints.
In order to meet the need for Certified Lay Ministers, a means of delivery of the coursework that takes into account the time constraints of the potential participants is needed.
I believe that a combination of synchronous and asynchronous communication methods, as well as an Internet available course delivery systems combined with college instructors would provide the students the proper training. The students could also build an online portfolio of their work for review by the certification committee.
Track 2:
A second track would be designed for church committee members and other volunteer church leaders not seeking a certification. The primary goal of this track is to establish relationships between people performing the same function at different churches. This track would offer some basic training and guidance, but the establishment of communities of practice that go beyond the training is the goal. By giving the participants the ability to interact with their peers by asking questions, sharing ideas and resources they find online will establish a habit of lifelong learning.
Once established these resources can be used to create church communities of practice such as finance, education, youth ministry, missions, music, worship, and evangelism. Enabling these communities to establish and organize their online areas will empower them to make the site responsive to their needs.
Both of these tracks will strive to establish personal relationships among the participants that will encourage a habit of lifelong Christian learning and service.
3. Underlying causes of problem:
One cause is that many people who may feel a calling to stronger church service are not aware of the Certified Lay Minister option. Many think the only option is Seminary and becoming a full minister.
Most people do not mind helping or serving, but are hesitant because they do not feel they have adequate experience to do the job.
4. Alternative answers:
Alternative 1:
One alternative is on-campus training. For Track 1 this would consist of standard classes offered at the University that would lead to a CLM certification.
For Track 2 weekend seminars or night classes could be arranged for those not interested in becoming a CLM. This alternative would offer a more familiar and comfortable environment for many participants and require less technology. It would also create an attachment to McMurry by the participants by virtue of them being on campus.
Even offering night or weekend courses still puts certain time and distance constraints on the participants. In addition arrangements would have to be made for facilities and instructors would have to be onsite to teach classes.
Alternative 2:
A second option is to generate a series of study guides, tapes, or on-line streaming delivery of content.
I do not see Track 1 participants being able to complete the academic requirements entirely on-line. It would take a long time for all the courses necessary for the CLM to be developed for this kind of delivery. I also think the nature of this type of course delivery does not promote the interaction, discussion and reflection that I think a certification of this type would benefit from.
For Track 2 this delivery method could be used to help prepare the non-CLM seeking leaders. This would make the program more cost effective over time. Although there is considerable upfront production cost, you could resell the program at a much lower cost and eventually the profit from volume sales would pay for the initial cost.
I do not think that it would establish the same kind of relationship with the University as some form of interactive teaching would. It is also not as flexible to changing information or dynamics in the field of study. I also think without a leader guiding the group, it would be difficult to establish the Communities of Practice.
Alternative 3:
A third option would be to offer distance learning classes using McMurry distance learning lab. This would give more face to face type of interaction with the instructor.
The biggest obstacle is the maximum number of connections is limited, not particularly by bandwidth even though that is a consideration, but by the practical number of remote locations an instructor can manage and still conduct class. There is also equipment needed on the participant's side. I feel the advantages gained by this method are outweighed by the disadvantages when compared to some of the other methods.
Alternative 4:
A fourth option would be to help advertise the programs that already exist.
There are some programs that are designed to address the Track 1 CLM needs. This approach would eliminate redundancy of the offerings, and would help strengthen existing programs. It would also help meet the needs of the church.
For Track 2 the offerings in this area are not well defined and scattered. There are some on-line courses offered, and there are some sites that offer chat and forum features, they aren't at the same location and have different participants.
However, it would not help strengthen the ties between the church and McMurry University . I also think there would be distance constraints for many people outside the immediate areas served by the offering institutions. Currently the institutions offering lay leader training have very few on-line courses. This would require the participant to travel to those institutions in order to take classes.
5. My role:
I anticipate one of my major functions will be as the keeper of the vision. I will also be the developer of the on-line communication options. I will work with the course designers, offering suggestions and options of how to utilize the on-line resources.
6. Opposition:
From the University community there might be opposition to offering a non-degree certification. Also faculty might object to being asked to teach these courses particularly if they involve night classes.
From the church community there may be resistance from those that feel some of this training is already offered in other places and that it would be stepping on the toes of those other programs.
While not opposition, there may be resistance from the potential participants because they may not feel they have the computer skills necessary to do the on-line activities, or that they have nothing to learn from it.
7. Sensitive Issues:
It may require some special effort to integrate and not alienate the church leadership. Special care will also need to be taken to make sure all the parties vested in the process feel included.
The faculty may be less interested because this program will not be under their direction in the same way as the degree programs at McMurry.
8. Constraints:
There are two main constraints, time and funding.
If the program is to be ready by this summer it will require considerable time from me, the other co-investigators, and course developers. It will take time for me and other co-investigators to organize, investigate needs, and set up technology. The course developers will need time to create the on-line course content.
Funding mechanisms will need to be identified and budgets developed. Instructor salaries, marketing, and software licensing fees will all require money.
9. Involved parties:
Myself and members of the committee investigating a “Center for Discipleship” that will be associated with McMurry University will be the primary parties involved. That committee is made up of the McMurry President, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the Vice President of Information Services (me), the Chair of the Religion Department, the University Chaplin, 2 Board of Trustee members, the District Superintendent for the Abilene district of the United Methodist church, and a local pastor. In addition any instructors and Community of Practice coordinators would be involved
The “Center for Discipleship” was already in the planning stages before I began looking at this Action Research Project. After some discussions it seems a logical entity to house the lay leadership training because the CLM is not a true degree program and therefore it would be better handled by an affiliated entity.
10. Support Needed From:
Support will be needed by committee mentioned above, the University administration and faculty, the church leadership and local pastors.
The committee investigating the “Center for Discipleship” will be the driving force in this project. Without the center, the project will be much more difficult. Therefore their support is crucial.
Without the support of the McMurry administration there will be a limited connection developed between the participants and the University. This would also require finding an alternate location to home the project.
If the faculty do not support and participate then finding instructors will be more difficult as well as diminish the McMurry connection. It will also hurt the reputation of the program if there are no faculty involved.
Since this program is aimed at developing lay leaders for the church the support of the church leaders will be important. If local pastors do not inform their potential lay leaders and support the efforts I do not think there will be great participation. Many times the local pastors take their cue from the District Superintendents and the Bishop. Their support could really add substance to the program.
11. Where to begin:
I have already begun by engaging the “Center for Discipleship” committee in discussions. I have also had discussions with the President of the University.
I have begun research on a literature review of topics pertinent to this project.
Track 1- Currently the District Superintendent of the Abilene district is investigating the academic requirements to become a CLM. The chair of the Religion Department has also begun work on an on-line course.
Track 2 – I need to survey the church membership and ask local pastors and church leaders to determine what lay leader topics to include. This will help decide what courses to offer first. If popular topics are offered first it will help build momentum for the program.
12. Uncovering Data:
I began by researching other on-line lay leader training options. I expanded that search to any lay leader training. I have specifically looked at what is offered by the United Methodist church. I am also going to investigate what are the characteristics of successful on-line training programs. I also want to investigate what makes a successful on-line community of practice. I also need to know the academic requirements have been established for the CLM. I also want to determine what are the most needed and desired training for the church memberships.
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