Date

12-19-2023

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Paul Esswein

Keywords

cultural understanding, ministry effectiveness, missional lifestyle, short-term missions, spiritual habits, spiritual preparation

Disciplines

Religion

Abstract

There is a lack of resources available providing spiritual preparation training specifically for teams preparing for a STM with M4 Institute. The purpose of this action research project is two-fold. First, to develop a spiritual preparation resource for STM work in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Second, to determine if providing spiritual preparation training for a team preparing for said STM work will improve the ministry effectiveness of the trip. An eight-week, five-phase intervention guide was created to implement with the focus group. This consisted of two in-person, on-site team trainings, three pre-trip Zoom team meetings, mid-trip communications with participants to gauge the effectiveness of the trip, and post-trip Zoom individual interviews. The triangulation method for gathering data was followed. Side one consisted of two questionnaires; side two consisted of a discussion question guide; and side three consisted of a set of interview questions. Three modes of observation were used: researcher field notes; insider observation through team responses during training, questionnaires, and post-trip interviews; and outsider observations from two credible witnesses. Results and conclusions to determine the effectiveness of the trip and for further research were drawn from the study. All interviews and conversations with the participants, both individually and corporately, were confidential; the names of the participants are withheld by mutual agreement. All participant names used in the action research project are pseudonyms. Real names are not used to protect the identity and confidentiality of the participants.

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