Interview on the Street – Field Project

ACTION:

Conduct a series of interviews and include at least fifteen total strangers on the street. You could look for an assortment of people on any shopping street or busy corner. You could also focus on a particular age group, like Boomers or Millennials. The possibilities are almost endless. The bottom line is where your church is located, and who you are trying to reach. Try to go where people are likely to have a bit of time. For example, if you are ministering to the working poor, a Laundromat might be a good place to start.

It can also make a difference where you conduct the interview. For example, if you wish to know the opinions of the working poor, you might try asking people in Laundromat. Or if you are interested in what the middle-class has to say, try a seating group in a shopping mall.

Here are a few possible questions to ask the people you interview:

·         How long have you lived in the city?

·         Do you like living here?

·         What are the two greatest needs of the people in this community?

·         In your opinion, is there anything the Church could do to meet those needs?

·         If you could change the Church in any way, what would you do?

·         What could the Church change to attract you and your friends to attend,?

If you are sending out one or more teams of two, give them some training before they leave. Here are two possible ways to proceed:

a.      You can choose to do either a random sampling, or search out a particular group of people to interview (people who reflect the demographics of your church, or those whom your church wishes to reach). Then sort the answers to each question and determine: a) what the responses mean for the ministry of your church, and b) whether you wish to do an additional round of interviews to get a more definitive read on what people are thinking. The larger your sample, the more accurate your results will be.

b.      You can choose to interview people at two or more locations and pose the same questions to at least fifteen people in each group. Then you could compare the answers of each group. How were they the same? How were they different? What needs are present in both groups, and which of them might the church be able to address.

REFLECTION:

Reflect on the responses you received, and ask whether the answers offer any new ideas for the church to serve the community. You may decide that you need to ask different questions, or broaden your sample, by including more people.

With this experience as background, some questions come to mind.

How do people cope with the large numbers of people they do not know?

How is it possible to negotiate life in the city and remain focused?

How does the issue of coping with “Same—Other” affect the church particularly in complex culture?