UA

The Adult Christian Education Research Project has been formed by the Edwards Institute for Leadership Development (a project of the Presbyterian Church of Manchester), Urban Alliance, and an Advisory Committee made up of 5 local pastors/ministry leaders. Information about adult Christian education needs in central Connecticut is currently being collected. Adult Christian education includes areas such as: biblical education, leadership development, and ministry training. This project will help the Edwards Institute and Urban Alliance understand the specific types of Christian education opportunities that would be helpful to the Christian community in the greater Hartford area. If need and interest exists, information from this project will help to direct and inform the development and implementation of new Christian education programs.

This study is utilizing pastors and ministry leaders in the greater Hartford area as ‘key informants to better understand the context of adult Christian education. Between 30-60 key informants will be interviewed for this project. Each of the key informants will be asked if they know of other pastors/ministry leaders who would be willing to be interviewed; thus, a snowball strategy will be used to recruit other key informants in the area.

This project aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Determine the need for and interest in additional adult Christian education programs among churches/organizations in the greater Hartford area.
• Understand barriers that keep people from attending Christian education programs.
• Learn about which educational focus (Biblical studies/theology, ministry training, and/or Biblical Worldview/Cultural Analysis) would be most helpful to potential attendees, churches, and ministries.
• Decide what teaching styles, education levels, and program lengths are the best fits for those individuals that might benefit from such programs.
• Assess the importance of program accreditation to pastors, ministry leaders, and potential attendees.

For more information or questions, you can contact Jessica Sanderson, PhD, Director of Research at 860-986-7724 ext. 14 or Jessica@urbanalliance.com.