Hero Image

Request for Research Focus Group Participants

Overview of Research Study

A rapid change is taking place in many Adventist congregations in the United States. Congregations are becoming increasingly diverse, as immigrants are attracted to them. In the light of recent racial and immigration issues in the United States, Dr. Alan Parker, along with several other researchers at Southern Adventist University, has embarked upon a study to help church leaders understand how race, ethnic and cultural issues influence their congregations. The study also aims to help churches navigate these cultural changes. Data for this study will be collected in three ways: via interviews with conference leaders and pastors, focus groups with pastors and church members, and surveys with church members. Interviews have already been conducted and we are now in the stage of beginning our focus groups in May of this year. 

Overview of Focus Groups

About twenty focus groups will be conducted over Zoom with diverse members of multiracial and multiethnic churches. Participants will be asked to answer questions related to their experience and perception of how race, ethnicity, and/or generational dynamics have influenced their congregation on an interpersonal and congregational level. Focus groups are expected to last about 1 to 1 ½ hours and will be video recorded so that we can accurately capture everyone’s viewpoints. A $20 gift card will be given to participants as a token of appreciation. 

If you would like to participate in a focus group, please complete this brief survey to tell us more about yourself.  

If you know someone who you believe would be a suitable candidate for our focus groups, please fill out this form with their names and other relevant information. 

Please note that participants must meet the following criteria: 

  1. be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church
  2. be at least eighteen years of age
  3. have attended a multiracial or multiethnic church for at least one year
  4. have served in a leadership role in your local church (unless you are of a younger generation)
Focus Group Volunteer Form

If you would like to participate in a focus group, please complete this brief survey to tell us more about yourself.

Go to survey
Focus Group Participant Recruitment Form

If you know someone who you believe would be a suitable candidate for our focus groups, please fill out this form with their names and other relevant information.

Go to form
Focus Group Consent Form

Please return the consent form via email to Tracey-Ann Hutchinson at thutchinson@southern.edu.

Download Consent Form