Abstract

NIEMANDT, Cornelius J.P. et al. Research strategy for missional transformation. Verbum Eccles. (Online) [online]. 2018, vol.39, n.1, pp.1-12. ISSN 2074-7705.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ve.v39i1.1893.

In this study, an innovative research process was developed to support a missional ecclesiology. The research strategy was designed as a practice-oriented research process in service of faith communities as 'problem owners' of the research. The goal is to inform and serve the process of missional transformation. The approach taken was defined as a process of discernment to participate in the missio Dei, appreciating the work of the Holy Spirit and the reciprocal relation between confession and praxis. Scripture and tradition are constitutive elements of the language house that forms the congregational life and imagination. The innovate process comprises three cycles moving through four quadrants in the deployment of a missional strategy, the four quadrants being: guidance, research, design and training. This was developed along 12 movements: (1) articulate the pain, (2) clarify the question, (3) develop the prototype, (4) testing, (5) practice capacities, (6) observe patterns, (7) build a model, (8) implementation, (9) accepting into the culture, (10) describe breakthroughs, (11) support the learning community, and (12) institutional alignment. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: The research includes the following disciplines: Missiology, Missionary Ecclesiology and Practical Theology. It has wide-ranging implications, as it presents an innovative and comprehensive research process that can significantly influence research on missional transformation.

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