The Future of Ministry Research Project
The primary goal in conducting this research is to provide relevant data to the U.S. Assemblies of God leaders, ministers, and academicians that inform forward-thinking and planning for the future. Through the process of these studies we seek to hear the collective voices of AG ministers and harmonize them in ways that allow the various themes to resonate more distinctly with those who explore the findings.
History
From Founder and Lead Researcher Mario Duque: This project began in 2013, shortly before my 50th birthday. I knew that God was changing my missionary assignment towards the work of preparing others for the work of the ministry. As I started looking ahead a question occupied my thoughts, “what future are we going to prepare ministers for?” I began asking every minister I spoke with, “what do you think ministry will be like in 10 years’ time?” This continues as the single query of this project.
A few years later, in my doctoral studies at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, I asked one of my professors to look into the future and tell me what he saw. He in turn asked about my interest in the subject and what predictions I was acquiring. He encouraged me to develop this research further. I formed a more formal survey made from the responses that I heard most, received permission to have it sent to AG credentialed ministers, and produced the first report.
Based on the uniqueness of this research and the uses that other ministers and educators found in the report, I realized that I needed help. I posted an ad for a co-researcher and David W. Barnett responded. This type of study fit in with the ministry role that God was directing him towards. It soon became evident that our differing backgrounds and perspectives complemented each other well. We received permission to conduct a second survey and wrote the second report.
We have now been provided the opportunity for a third installment of this study. The actionable uses of the research have become a major impetus for permission to continue this research. It is our desire to gather together what the Spirit is saying to AG US ministers and present it in an understandable way: forward-looking, thought-provoking, and usable in the fellowship’s quest of preparing people for the work of the ministry.
Basic Methodology
The research is a two-part mixed methods study comprising two
surveys, with the first survey establishing range (Narrative Survey) and
the second survey establishing frequency (Choice Survey). The
Narrative Survey includes a single open-ended question: Based on your
current ministry and observations, what will ministry in the U.S. be
like 10 years from now? An email invitation to take the survey is sent
to a randomly-selected group of 1,000 ordained and 500 licensed active
Assemblies of God ministers. From these responses, we identify
associated themes that are the basis of the questions for our Choice
Survey.
The Choice Survey is sent to all licensed
and ordained AG ministers in the United States with limited categorical
exceptions. The Choice Survey consists of thematic questions that
include Likert-scale agree/disagree or likely/unlikely responses to
factual statements, general outlook questions, and open-ended
short-answer questions. The survey also collects demographic data
including credential level, age group, gender, environs, ethnicity, and
AG District.
A detailed methodology is included in each report.
Research Team
Mario M. Duque is the Founder and Leader Researcher for the Future of Ministry project. He is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and an appointed AG US Missions missionary. He has served in various ministerial capacities in Florida, Arkansas, and Missouri. Currently he is the Chair, Rural Ministry Program, College of Ministry Development at Global University. He holds a master’s degree in Christian education and is working on a Ph.D. in intercultural studies, both at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.
David W. Barnett is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and serves in a variety of leadership roles within the AG, including as a board member for several missions entities, universities, and benevolence organizations. He has been in bi-vocational ministry since 1984, with a career in insurance and financial services that included an 11-year tenure as Vice President and Director with Christian Fidelity Life Insurance Company. He holds a master’s degree in theological studies from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in the Values-Driven Leadership Program at Benedictine University.