Allen M. Jackson EDU671: Fundamentals of Educational Research Dr. Anthony Valley June 13, 2016

Area of Focus Statement The purpose of this study is to determine why outreach ministries have declined within our church. To investigate why membership is not increasing and what could be done to change the outcome. If using technology will make a different in small churches compared to larger churches within the community.

Explanation of Problem Over the past couple year’s memberships have become stable and with the demise of older members, individual ministries have been declining or no longer active.

Explanation of Problem For years, sizes did not matter only the ministry that was being offered by the church. The larger churches began to use technology, and the smaller churches remain the same. The ministry that is provided with technology has attracted a younger generation of church goers.

VARIABLES Once it was the only church in the area, now there are fifteen churches in the area and only three of the original small churches remain.

VARIABLES Churches are facing the same challenges regardless of size and studying the problems is the key.

Research Questions What can I do as a pastor to help increase church membership? What are the current members willing to do to help increase church membership?

Locus of Control The area of focus has answerable questions. The questionnaires and surveys will provide answers. The locus of control is within my church growth and church family of an associate.

Intervention The research proposed that smaller churches growth can be a link to technology and the lack of use of technology. I am prepared to study how to increase growth by using technology, and the effect technology will play in church growth. Using online surveys from local church members and my congregations, I plan to collect data to support or refute proposed hypothesis.

Negotiations I must receive signed Informed Consent Form from participating Pastors. Members of my church and other churches must be willing to go online to complete surveys/questionnaires.

Ethics Members’ identities are protected because there are no questions that will identify participants on the website survey.

Ethics The pastors that I will be interviewing personally, I will protect their identities. Each will complete Informed Consent Form.

Timeline Phase 1: Week one Allow one week for survey and questionnaires to be completed by members online Phase 2: Week two Interview church’s leaders (Two Pastors) and continue online survey’s other church members. Inventory technology located in the church. Phase 3: Week three Complete Surveys and Interviews and compiles data for interpretation and analysis

Statement of Resources Website page for to host survey Questionnaires for members and pastors Survey for website

Data Collection Data Collection will be done online with Surveys/questionnaires (quantitative and qualitative). Interviews of Pastors and complete questionnaires.

References Arthur, J., & Rensleigh, C. (2015). The use of online technologies in the small church. South African Journal of Information Management, 17(1), 1-6. Retrieved from accountid= accountid=32521 Bradley R. E., W. (2008). WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T LEARN FROM WILLOW CREEK'S REVEAL STUDY. Journal Of Youth Ministry, 7(1),

References Jim, E., & Wei, W. (2014). FACTORS THAT FUEL SMALL GROUP GROWTH. Christian Education Journal, 11(1), 134 Landrum, R. E. (2013). Research design for educators: Real-world connections and applications. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Mills, G. E. (2014). Action research: A guide for the teacher researcher (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.