A research project exploring the relationship between expressed faith and spiritual experiences was carried out in Birmingham in 2000 as part of a PH.D research project.
Building on the work of scholars in the field of religious experience, and with reference to research into the state of the Church in Britain, a case study was set up, in a Birmingham church, to investigate the place of spiritual experiences in the context of the life of individuals and the church. The findings from the research indicate that spiritual experiences are common among these church-goers taking many different forms and relating to the type of faith the person expresses and their concept of God. Most indicate that God is perceived to be immanent. Providing a sense of contentment and well-being, the experiences are instrumental in developing faith, while the precepts of faith also interpret the experiences. In an age of general decline of the Church in Britain, it is acknowledged that there is an increase in the reporting of spiritual experiences, indicating that there is a move from the institutional to the individual expressions of spirituality. Therefore the results of the research suggest that the church is spiritual, should emphasise the place of spiritual experiences in faith and worship, and confirms the importance of studying spiritual experiences in the context of the individual and the faith community.
The results of the project can be found in the thesis:
Perceptions of God in the Particular: A case study of the relationship between spiritual expereinces and expressed faith among member so a Birmingham church. Click here for a copy of the thesis. Please note it is a large document.
Personality Ministry and Spiritual Experience
An ongoing research project exploring the relationship between personality reported spiritual expereinces and the influence they have on the ministry of United Reformed Church ministers. The project was started in 2013 among ministers of the West Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church and is being extended across all the Synods of the church. The results of the first part of the project was written up in a short paper, during my recent sabbatical. To read the paper click on the link below.
Personality, Ministry and Spiritual Experience
The research was extended in June 2014 to include data received from ministers in other Synods of the United Reformed Church. The results of this extended study have been written up in a short paper. This is now available as a Kindle book from Amazon. In or Out of the Body
A short paper comparing the results of the extended (national) survey with the results from the West Midlands was presented to ministers in the West Midlands Synod in September 2014. To read the paper click on the link below.
West Midlands Talk
If you would like to help with the project please complete the questionnaire and return it to the address on the form.
PME Questionnaire
