Social Services and Faith Transformation

Social Services and Faith Transformation – Mixed Method Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Institute For City Transformation

Community service has always been an important part of the church's outreach ministry. As Hong Kong churches become increasingly aware of the needs of underprivileged groups in the community, we aim to study how church members are influenced after participating in social services. This research is a collaboration between the Institute for City Transformation and the "Gospel in the Community" movement, using a mixed-method research approach.

Phase One: Quantitative Research Results

Questionnaires were distributed in mid-January 2024 through churches participating in "Gospel in the Community". We received 234 responses and about 80% of respondents were involved in community service to various degrees. Participants who sometimes, often, or always engage in community service (N=141) were included in the main data analysis. The first part of the questionnaire, the "Faith Practice Scale", shows that participants who sometimes, often, or always engage in community service have higher frequency of faith practice expression in many areas compared to those who never or rarely participate in community service.

In the second part of the questionnaire, participants who sometimes, often, or always engage in community service have self-reported changes in attitudes and thoughts after participating in community service. Those who often and always participate in community service showed significant changes, including greater gratitude towards God and noticing God in action (seeing God at work in the world), they also becoming more willing to witness God, share the gospel and feeling more capable and confident in serving.

From the self-assessment of participants who sometimes, often, or always engage in community service, the biggest change after participating in community service is in their spiritual condition. This includes feeling more grateful to God, relying on or trusting God more, experiencing God's presence, and noticing God (seeing God at work in the world). In terms of community service, they have become more aware of community issues or needs, and wish to be more compassionate, tolerant, and loving.

When we conducted a regression analysis using items from the faith practice scale, we found that the faith practices that best predict changes after participating in community service include sharing Christ's story with others (evangelism) and joining in activities that advocate on social concerns. This suggests that the more one engages in these faith practices, the greater the degree of change predicted after participating in community service.

Phase Two: Qualitative Follow-up Research

We conducted qualitative follow-up research in April 2024. We invited members from four churches who participated in "Gospel in the Community" to form four focus groups, each with about three to five people. Participants were regularly involved in community service, including serving underprivileged families and tutoring children.

Participants shared the following changes after participating in community service:

2) Experiencing Different Aspects of God in Community Service

Conclusion and Reflection

The research finds that community service, when properly guided, can become a key to activate the potential and motivation of the entire church, resolving many problems currently faced by churches.

Church Aging: We found that most participants in community service are older brothers and sisters who are approaching or have retired. This is understandable, as they are currently the main members of the church and have more time and space to participate in community service. Therefore, church aging is not a problem; the key is whether they can become active. Community service provides an opportunity for them to become "vibrant," bringing unexpected transformation to the church. Thus, older believers are assets, not liabilities.
Church Rigidity: In many churches, "social concern" is just a department, and the contribution of ordinary believers is mainly through offerings and church allocations. However, when the vision of community service is successfully conveyed, it is no longer the responsibility of a single department but a mobilization of the entire church. Community service differs from service within the church's four walls, with great uncertainty, causing believers to rely more on God and be more willing to try.
Church Disunity: Hong Kong people lead busy lives, and even in church, they come and go hurriedly without much time for interaction. Moreover, Chinese churches always prioritize harmony and avoid disputes, leading to stagnation in many ministries and church development. Community service allows brothers and sisters to experience serving together as a team, enriching church life, moving beyond superficial harmony, and having more substantial exchanges and deeper interactions under the same vision.
Church Shrinkage and Stagnation: Recent surveys by the Church Renewal Movement consistently reflect that the overall church is declining in numbers, new congregations, offerings, and pastoral staff, with a pessimistic outlook. However, through community service, we see believers' spiritual transformation, with obvious changes in faith practice and relationship with God. Through community service, believers strengthen their faith and nurture their spirituality. Through practice, they are more willing to commit and evangelize, no longer self-centered, reversing the church's inward focus and shrinkage. Ideally, the church can help believers continuously reflect on their actions, as active learning is far more effective than passive learning.

As Rev. Erica Chan said, "Gospel in the Community" is a spiritual movement. Research has found that through community service, many believers indeed experience spiritual renewal and transformation. The foundation of church revival is the spiritual revival of believers, at which time the above problems will naturally be resolved. It is hoped that more churches will accept the invitation to embark on this spiritual journey together through community service.

*The above research has been included in Rev. Erica Chan's new book "Gospel in the Community". For more details about the entire movement and research, please purchase the book at major bookstores. All proceeds will be donated to the Christian Sheun Tao Church Love and Care Foundation for poverty alleviation ministries.