Sociology 3595: Sociology of Religion
Field Research Guidelines

This project involves at least three hours of observation and a 6-8 page paper. Each student will become a participant observer (but more on the observer end of that continuum), attending worship services at a "congregation" with a tradition very different than whatever the religion (or no religion ) in which you grew up. You need to choose from the list I provide, or clear it with me (and get permission from the religious organization). You should also introduce yourself and ask some questions, perhaps of the pastor (rabbi, imam, whatever the title of the "leader," if any) and certainly of some of the participants. You may want to know what they particularly value from their tradition; how they came to attend worship here; what they see as the strengths of their congregation; whether their congregation is growing and whether they are doing any systematic outreach to make it grow.

In terms of your own thinking and observations, some of the following questions might be helpful. What needs seem to be met by this type of worship service? Does the service stimulate thinking or does it primarily provide an outlet for emotional expression? Is there an emphasis on justice and social change issues? Is there much sponteneity in the service, or does everything follow a pre-planned agenda? Do worshipers seem interested and involved, or bored and preoccupied with their own thoughts? Does the service emphasize cognitive transmission through words, or are there many symbols of faith? Do rituals and traditions seem to be important? What seems to be authoritative to these worshipers: personal experience, quotations from the Bible, rational-logical argument? (To what does the leader appeal to convince the congregation that his or her position is a true one?) How diverse is the congregation? Is it welcoming of gays and lesbians? What seems to be the dominant race/ethnicity/social class? What is the ratio of young to old? Male to female? What are the norms about people's behavior in "church," including the behavior of children? Is the church warm and friendly, or does it seem more distant and cold? (How do you experience it?) What (if anything) seemed most strange or unusual to you? What was most appealing? Was there any aspect that made you particularly uncomfortable, and why do you suppose you reacted that way?

Before or after your visits, you will need to do some online and/or library research about the tradition represented by this congregation and how this tradition differentiates itself? Wikipedia might be a good place to begin. This will be particularly important if this congregation is affiliated with some larger synod, denomination, etc., and less significant if the group defines itself purely in local terms. But even a "community church" probably operates in a larger context. For example, I just did a search on "community churches" and immediately found an organization called the International Council of Community Churches. Or churches, whatever their affiliations, may have sister/brother congregations elsewhere. What are the current issues for this denomination? How much role does the larger organization play in the local church? Who owns the church property? How are ministers/priests/rabbis chosen? What issues are particularly challenging at both the local level and in the larger organization? Role of women? Gay/lesbian issues? Relations with other denominations? What about theological issues? Is this an organization that seems to expect God's direct intervention in the world? That sees us operating in "end times?"

Remember that you represent UMD. Do nothing harmful to yourself or others, or disrespectful of the organization you are studying. Be open and honest about being there as a result of a college assignment. Don't feel you have to make any commitments, or hide your own beliefs and feelings(though you don't have to go out of your way to announce them either).

Use a small notebook to keep notes during your visit, and include that notebook when you submit your paper.

Thanks to Keith Roberts, Hanover College, for many of the questions included here.