Welcoming Churches. Responding to the Immigrant Reality in Canada. A Research Proposal

Transcription

1 Welcoming Churches Responding to the Immigrant Reality in Canada A Research Proposal October 29, 2009

2 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 2 of 17 Research Group Information World Vision Lead Organization and Funder Clayton Rowe National Manager Canadian Programs 1 World Drive Mississauga, ON L5T 2Y4 Phone: (905) ext clayton_rowe@worldvision.ca Centre for Community Based Research Research Partner Rich Janzen Research Director Wilfrid Laurier University, Department of Psychology 73 King Street West, Suite 300 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1A7 Phone: (519) ext rich@communitybasedresearch.ca Yasir Dildar Centre Researcher 73 King Street West, Suite 300 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1A7 Phone: (519) ext yasir@communitybasedresearch.ca TIM Centre and UReachToronto (Urban Resources Assisting Churches in Toronto) - Toronto Partner Robert Cousins Director of Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre (TIM Centre) UReachToronto Resource Consultant Engaging in Global Missions Phone: tim@tyndale.ca Web: James Watson UReachToronto Resource Consultant - Church Planting Consultant for Church Planting and Congregational Revitalization, Corps Ministries Department, The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory Phone: x james_watson@can.salvationarmy.org Web:

3 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 3 of 17 Table of Contents Executive Summary Introduction Rationale Partners Study Purpose and Main Research Questions Research Approach and Structure Study Scope and Sites Research Methods Research Plan Project Structure/Management Appendices... 15

4 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 4 of 17 Executive Summary This research proposal is developed collaboratively by The Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre (TIM Centre), the Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) and World Vision (WV). The purpose of this research project is twofold: 1) to explore how and to what extent established Canadian churches are welcoming and including recent immigrants in their church-life, and 2) to determine the necessary strategies and structures that would better facilitate the active participation of recent immigrants within Canadian churches. The study will have a focus on established churches across Christian denominations. The research will enable study partners to: Increase their knowledge and understanding about recent immigrant church experiences in Canada Increase their knowledge and understanding about how churches are and could be responding to the increasing immigrant reality in Canada Provide the information needed to develop a Welcoming Churches toolkit to be developed by World Vision. Expand networks/collaborations between established church leaders and immigrant church leaders (TIM Centre/UReachToronto) This collaborative project will use a participatory action research approach to answer the research questions. The study will have a national scope with in-depth information gathered from five study sites: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg and Hamilton. The study will employ both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather information from a wide variety of stakeholders. The core funding of $30,000 will be supplemented by in kind donations of time and expertise to the project from the project partners. The Tyndale Intercultural ministry Centre will be the Toronto lead (with support from the World Vision) while World Vision and its partners will act as site leads in other project sites. CCBR will coordinate all research activities. Report findings will be useful both at practical and at scholarly level. The process and data will provide scholarly opportunities for both secular and theological reflection on the issues arising from ministry in the cultural diversity of immigrant gateway cities. A community forum will provide an opportunity for research to be considered by various immigrant and established church communities as part of the refinement of the final report. The advisory committee will determine the strategies to widely disseminate the final report and its practical applications. It is expected that that the research findings will help Canadian churches to be more welcoming in responding to the immigrant reality in Canada.

5 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 5 of 17 Welcoming Churches: Responding to the Immigrant Reality in Canada 1- Introduction This research proposal is developed collaboratively by The Tyndale Intercultural Ministries Centre (TIM Centre), the Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) and World Vision. At its heart is a shared vision of Canadian churches where recent immigrants are fully welcomed and included. We believe that others share this vision. For this reason, it is expected that the original partnership will grow, with new partners becoming actively involved as the research project unfolds. 2- Rationale Canada is one of three historical immigrant receiving countries in the world (the United States and Australia being the other two). However, recent changes to Federal immigration policies have led to an abrupt shift in who is entering Canada. Rather than traditional source countries within Western Europe and the United States, today s recent immigrants come from diverse world regions, notably Asia (Statistics Canada, 2001). As a result, in just one generation the cultural face of Canadian society has been transformed. Nowhere is this more obvious than in Canada s largest urban centres where most immigrants land (Statistics Canada, 2006). Many segments of Canadian society are seriously grappling with how best to respond to this reality of growing cultural diversity (e.g., Janzen, in press; Alboim, 2009). Canada s cultural diversity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the Canadian church. There is the challenge for the recent immigrant believer who is seeking to become settled and included in a new, sometimes strange homeland. These is also the challenge for the established Canadian church which needs to adapt their attitudes, practices and structures to make way for new expressions of Christianity. However, these challenges bring exciting opportunities. For example, the coming of diverse peoples to Canada provides an opportunity for the established Canadian church to support the diaspora in mission right in their own backyard. In addition, recent immigrant church leaders are a latent source of leadership for the Canadian church, both among newcomers and host Canadians. Yet there is still much to learn (and do) in order to maximize these opportunities. To begin, we know little about how established churches in Canada are presently responding to the cultural diversity around them. We also know little about how recent immigrants experience church in Canada and how this experience relates to their general settlement experience. Finally we know little about the strategies and structures that are needed to bridge the gap between recent immigrant and Canadian churches. These strategies and structures are needed if the church is to be faithful and effective in today s multicultural Canada. The proposed research project attempts to address this knowledge gap. What is more, the project will use a participatory action research approach as a catalyst in helping to build the new relationships and structures that are so needed. To this end the project will involve a broad interdenominational coalition of recent immigrant and established church leaders. Finally, the project holds the assumption that immigrant adaptation is bi-directional involving change from both newcomer and host (i.e., adaptation as a two way street ) (Janzen, et al, 2007). This assumption applies not only to the general Canadian society but also to the Canadian church.

6 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 6 of Partners 3.1- World Vision (WV) World Vision is the lead organization for this project and the project funder. World Vision is Canada's largest private relief and development agency. In 2007, Canadians sponsored 454,309 children around the world. Child sponsorship helps fund World Vision Canada s international long-term development projects. World Vision Canada has a long history of partnering with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and other government bodies in overseas development and in addressing global issues, such as child rights, hunger, and health. World Vision Canada opened its Toronto in Today the new national headquarters is one of World Vision s busiest offices. The Canadian Programs division hopes to inspire positive changes throughout Canada by partnering with churches, educational institutions and other non-profit organizations. In 1979 World Vision Canada launched its first domestic programs in response to those arriving our shores as the "Vietnamese Boat People." This led World Vision to become the second organization sanctioned by the Canadian Government to help Canadians to sponsors refugees to find a new home in Canada. Since that time World Vision has supported the creation of the Christie Refugee Welcome Centre. Since 2005 through its Partners to End Child Poverty Program has worked with over 70 organizations in Canada who are working to end child poverty in the lives of new immigrants, aboriginal and single parent families. World Visions recognizes that new immigrants are key to Canada s continued economic and labour force growth, yet low income rates among this group are more than three times higher than for people born in Canada. One in every two children in recent immigrant families (49%) lives below the poverty line according to the 2001 Census. (Campaign 2000: 2007 Report on Child and Family Poverty in Canada Refugees and many new immigrants (those in Canada less than ten years) are finding it harder to get a foothold. The number of immigrant children living in poverty is almost twice as high as the national child poverty rates. ( Census Analysis: Census Shows Growing Polarization of Income in Canada, May 16, 2003, (Ottawa, Canadian Council on Social Development, 2003), Nearly 20,000 refugee claimants in Canada are currently in limbo, waiting to become permanent residents. The wait can be years. During this time, it may be difficult for them to obtain work, particularly in professions and trades that require specific insurance, which include education and health care. They must apply for and regularly renew and pay for a work permit. Moreover, most employers are unwilling to hire anyone without permanent residency status. (Citizens for Public Justice, Getting Landed Project, As lead organization, World Vision in consultation with the TIM Centre/ UReachToronto will form the project s Advisory and Ex-officio committees. World Vision will also provide logistical assistance, including survey (distribution lists) and focus groups/community forums within each site (on the ground organizing). World Vision local staff will also facilitate the two focus groups to be held in each site.

7 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 7 of The Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) CCBR (formerly Centre for Research and Education in Human Services) will be contracted to manage the research team. CCBR is an independent, not-for-profit organization established in 1982 ( Located in Kitchener, Ontario, the CCBR mission is to use research to develop communities that are responsive and supportive, and to advance the equitable participation and integration of all members of our community. CCBR has conducted over 300 applied research projects. It has undertaken projects on local, provincial, national and international levels and has the internal capacity to handle and analyze large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data. Today CCBR employs 20 research staff and manages approximately 25 applied research projects. While CCBR conducts research on a broad spectrum within human services, a considerable amount of this research has been completed on issues related to cultural diversity. These projects have included needs assessments, evaluation and policy research on such topics as: immigrant employment, immigrant parenting, immigrant youth, hate crimes/anti-racism, immigrant mental health, and civic participation. CCBR s participatory and action-oriented approach to research has helped CCBR develop trusting relationships with many cultural communities, immigrant service providers and immigrant policy-makers. Team members will include Rich Janzen, Research Director. Rich has conducted over 70 applied research projects in communities across Ontario. Many of his projects focused on issues of immigration and civic participation. Rich is an affiliated member of the Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement (CERIS), and has recently been invited to contribute to a scholarly book on immigrant settlement and integration in mid-size Ontario cities. Rich has been co-investigator on two SSHRC grants dealing with immigration, including a 5-year, 40 partner Community University Research Alliance (CURA) entitled: Taking Cultural Seriously in Community Mental Health. He is presently a PhD student at Wilfrid Laurier University (Community Psychology) with a focus on church outreach within multicultural communities. Rich is a founding member and elder of a community-minded Mennonite Brethren church serving a multicultural community. Rich will be the team leader for this project, assuming overall coordination of all research tasks and being the primary liaison among project partners. As a recipient of the SSHRC Canadian Graduate Scholarship, Rich is also able to offer his in-kind contribution to this project in the form of a comprehensive paper. This paper will focus on one method within the proposed study (the on-line church survey) and will enable the research project to benefit from a broader academic literature review than would otherwise be possible. Additional biographical information and CV can be found here. Yasir Dildar, Centre Researcher, will also be a team member. Yasir has considerable experience as social researcher in Canada and abroad. Yasir holds two master s degrees, one in developmental studies with the other in sociology. As a recent immigrant, Yasir brings critical perspective to issues of immigrant settlement and inclusion. This past year Yasir has worked on three CCBR projects related to immigrant issues across Canada. Yasir is an affiliated member of the Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement (CERIS). Additional biographical information and CV can be found here. Other CCBR research team members will be assigned as needed including graduate students on placement at CCBR.

8 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 8 of TIM Centre Tyndale Intercultural Ministry Centre (TIM Centre) is part of Tyndale University College and Seminary, located in Toronto. The Centre s mission Is to act as a catalyst to mobilize the Christian faith community toward a more intentional and effective engagement in local and Global missions. The TIM Centre is strategically located in what has been described as the world s most multicultural city, drawing on the many thriving multiethnic communities. TIM Centre has the advantage of linking with a vast network of local churches, denominations and mission organizations, partnering with church and para-church organizations to carry out its mandate. One such partnership is the UReachToronto project which is now part of TIM Centre s Diaspora Initiative. The goal of this web portal ( is to become a resource centre for Christians engaged in Intercultural ministry. UReachToronto assists Christians to connect with one another and discover the many resources available to help develop a strategic vision and skills to reach our multicultural community. Some of the UReachToronto partners include: Christian Reformed Church of North America Cooperative Baptist Fellowship The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Outreach Canada Church Planting Canada Vision 360 North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention The Tyndale Intercultural Ministry Centre will be the site lead within Toronto. UReachToronto will be the virtual website for TIM Centre disseminating resources related to this project and the UReachToronto team members will be available to serve in various capacities in the Toronto site. 4- Study Purpose and Main Research Questions The purpose of this research project is twofold: 1) to explore how and to what extent established Canadian churches are welcoming and including recent immigrants in their church-life, and 2) to determine the necessary strategies and structures that would better facilitate the active participation of recent immigrants within Canadian churches. The study will have a focus on established churches across Christian denominations. Although rising in prominence, the study will not focus on ethno-specific immigrant churches. The project will use mixed methods to answer the following main research questions. Domain #1: Understanding the immigrant experience 1. What is the profile of recent immigrants to Canada? What are their demographics nationally and in selected sites? What type of Christian dominations do they attend? 2. How do recent immigrants experience church in Canada? To what extent and in what ways are they involved in Canadian churches? To what extent do they feel that their gifts are being used in church ministry? How does their experience of Canadian churches relate to their general settlement experience? How are they engaged in mission both to their own ethnic community and in a cross cultural settings? How do they understand issues of church (e.g., leadership, ministry, structure, inclusion, etc.)? Domain #2: Understanding the established church response

9 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 9 of What is the profile of churches in Canada? What are the denominational demographics nationally and in selected sites? 2. What has been the response of established churches in Canada to recent immigrants? What are their attitudes and perceptions towards recent immigrants? How much contact do they have with recent immigrants? What efforts have they made to welcome and include recent immigrants in the life of their church? To what degree are they aware of recent immigrant experiences and perspectives? How do their opinions about church (e.g., leadership, ministry, structure, inclusion) compare with recent immigrant perspectives? Domain #3: Understanding future action 3. Based on the answers above, what are the suggested strategies and structures that would best facilitate the active involvement of recent immigrants within Canadian churches? What can churches do to be more welcoming and inclusive? What role can immigrant church leaders play? How can churches support each other? How can the interaction between established and immigrant church leaders be enhanced? Answering these questions will enable study partners to: Increase their knowledge and understanding about recent immigrant church experiences in Canada Increase their knowledge and understanding about how churches are and could be responding to the increasing immigrant reality in Canada Provide the information needed to develop a Welcoming Churches toolkit to be developed by World Vision. Expand networks/collaborations between established church leaders and immigrant church leaders (TIM Centre/UReachToronto) 5- Research Approach and Structure The project would use a participatory action research (PAR) approach to answer the above research questions (Kemmis, & McTaggart, 2005). PAR can be defined as a research approach that involves active participation of stakeholders, those whose lives are affected by the issue being studied, in all phases of research for the purpose of producing useful results to make positive changes (Nelson, Ochocka, Lord, & Griffen, 1998, p.12). CCBR regularly uses such an approach when conducting research with immigrants (Janzen & Ochocka, 2003; Ochocka & Janzen, 2007). Such an approach respectively and meaningfully involves members of immigrant communities in a research process that is mutually beneficial. Concrete mechanisms to implement this approach in our study include: Creating a project advisory committee that includes interdenominational immigrant and established church leaders to guide all phases of the project (tools development, data gathering/analysis, report writing, knowledge mobilization) Creating a project ex-officio committee of leading organizations that can best leverage this research project to push further the welcoming churches agenda Including recent immigrants on the research team Sampling research participants who hold diverse stakeholder perspectives Holding a project ending open forum to bring together both recent immigrant and established church members to verifying research findings and develop concrete action steps.

10 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 10 of Study Scope and Sites The study will have a national scope with additional in-depth information gathered from five study sites: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, and Hamilton. These sites were selected because of their large immigrant populations. In 2006, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver were home to nearly two-thirds of Canada s total foreign-born population and immigration has been the major factor in the population growth of these three census metropolitan areas (Statistics Canada, 2006). In addition, these sites represent five urban centres in which World Vision is presently active with its Canadian poverty-related efforts. As such World Vision staff and partners will be available to cost-effectively assist with research activities in their respective sites. A brief demographic overview of each site follows: Toronto: The city receives nearly half of all Canadian immigrants (approximately 100,000 each year), and its school system serves families with 170 home languages (Kilbride, Anisef, Baichman-Anisef & Khattar, 2000). The 2006 Census data indicates that Toronto receives 40.4% of recent immigrants while its share in country s total population is 16.2 per cent. According to the latest statistics (CIC, 2008), Toronto had 86,929 permanent residents in 2008, representing 35.2 per cent of the national permanent residents. TIM Centre will be the lead in coordinating Toronto research activities, with World Vision staff in supporting role. Vancouver: Vancouver is the largest urban centre in the province of British Columbia to receive immigrants. While Vancouver s share in country s total population is just 6.7%, it receives a significant number of recent immigrants (13.7% in 2006). The latest statistics show that Vancouver has 15.1 per cent of permanent residents (37,375) in World Vision staff/partners will lead research activities in Vancouver. Montreal: In 2006, Montreal s share of recent immigrants (14.9%) surpasses its share in the total population (11.5%). According to a CIC report, Quebec has 18.3 per cent of all the permanent residents in 2008, majority of which reside in Montreal (15.7%, 38,884). World Vision staff/partners will lead research activities in Montreal. Winnipeg: Winnipeg has same proportion of total population and recent immigrants in 2006 (2.2% each). As a province, Manitoba has 4.5% of the total residents in 2008, with 3.3% living in Winnipeg (8,114). World Vision staff/partners will lead research activities in Winnipeg. Hamilton: According to 2006 Census, Hamilton receives 1.9% of recent immigrants. Followed by Toronto and Ottawa-Gatineau, Hamilton ranks third in Ontario in terms of number of permanent residents. In 2008, there were 3,757 permanent residents representing 1.5% of the total permanent residents in the country. World Vision staff/partners will lead research activities in Hamilton. 7- Research Methods This exploratory research will employ both quantitative and qualitative methods as a means of strengthening the credibility of research findings (Creswell & Plano Clarke, 2007). Using such a mixed method design will give broad (via quantitative) and deep (via qualitative) insight into the relationships and structures needed to facilitate the active involvement of recent immigrant church leaders into the Canadian church and their successful integration in the Canadian society. We propose to use the following main methods. Specific details of each method will be finalized after input from the advisory committee. Literature Review: Literature analysis involves the collection of facts from existing written materials (Witkin & Atlschuld, 1995).. Throughout the study period we will review pertinent

11 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 11 of 17 documents relevant to all three research domains. The literature review will include compiling demographic Census data in order to build a profile of recent immigrants in the selected sites. An extensive review of academic literature and other grey literature (e.g., denominational reports) will also be conducted as a means of providing a fuller context to our own study findings. Advisory committee members will contribute in identifying relevant literature for review. Focus Group Interviews: A focus group interview is an interview with a small group of people on a specific topic (Patton, 2002). Focus groups are inexpensive means of data collection and allow collection of data with increased number of respondents in a given time. Focus groups also serve to enhance the quality of data by encouraging participant views to build on each other (Creswell, 2007). In participatory action research, focus groups raise awareness among the participants and help them mobilize around the issue under study. Within our study we will conduct two focus groups each at the selected sites (i.e., a total of 10 focus groups with 7-12 participants in each group). One focus at each site will be conducted with immigrant church leaders while participants of the other group will include leaders from the established churches. The focus groups will explore both the immigrant experience and response of established churches to welcome and include recent immigrants. Focus group participants will also provide their suggestions about the future strategies (domain # 3). These focus groups will be conducted by site leads (TIM Centre/WV in Toronto; WV in other sites). TIM Centre and WV will provide transcription of each focus group to CCBR for analysis. Key Informant Interviews: Key informant interviews are a semi-structured conversation with people who have in-depth knowledge about the issue under study (Thorne, 2008). Key informants are those who stand on the balcony and are able to speak on behalf of a broader constituency. Involving key informants in data gathering can also be strategic in raising awareness of the issue under study, and engaging leaders for future action. We propose to conduct two rounds of telephone key informant interviews. At the national level, a total of 5 interviews will be conducted with denominational leaders. While at the local level, 15 telephone interviews will be conducted (i.e. three at each site). These interviews will provide insights about all the aspects of this study (i.e. all research domains). CCBR will conduct and analyse these interviews. On-line Survey (web survey): A web survey is a means of gathering both qualitative and quantitative data from a potentially large sample over the internet. Advantages include a rapid response rate, reduced expenses, and increased respondent flexibility. Moreover, an online survey eliminates interviewer bias or error and protects the privacy of respondents. We propose to conduct an online survey targeting all established churches nationally. The survey will be developed following an extensive review of literature that will provide a theoretical framework in answering all main research questions. Wilfrid Laurier University PhD student will design and complete the survey with assistance from all the other study partners. 8- Research Plan We propose to conduct a five-phase study over a 10-month period. Each of the study phases will build on each other culminating in the fifth phase where all study participants and community members will be brought together in an open forum. The two data collection phases will be conducted sequentially starting with the national level. Following the national level data collection, in-depth contextual information from all the five study sites will be collected to understand the similarities and differences across sites. Phase I Getting Started

12 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 12 of 17 The first phase will be a preparation phase. During this phase the research team will draft all the research tools and plans. A research advisory committee, comprising all the stakeholders, will be formed to guide the research process. Tool Development: The research study will begin by drafting the data collections tools. The research team will draft focus group and key informant protocols, web survey and sampling and recruitment plan for all the methods. These tools will be reviewed by the advisory committee. Advisory Committee: In this phase, the stakeholder-based advisory committee will be formed and the committee will hold its first meeting. In this meeting, the workplan of the study will be finalized; principles for working together will be agreed upon, participant selection criteria and recruitment will be discussed, and protocols for data gathering tools to be used in the second phase approved. Advisory committee members will also review ethical safeguards put in place to ensure that the research does no harm and emphasizing informed consent and confidentiality. Phase II Data Collection (National) This phase will help in understanding the immigrant experiences and response of the established churches from a national perspective. Data will be gathered from denominational leaders by conducting key informant interviews and reviewing literature. An online survey will also be administered to gather information from all the churches. Literature review: A comprehensive review of demographic reports on recent immigrant Christians will be reviewed. The most recent Census data will be retrieved that considers both immigration-related data (period of immigration, country of birth, ethnic background, language spoken in the home, etc.) as well as religious affiliation. Denominational documents and academic articles about the experiences of recent immigrant church leaders and how the recent immigrant church leaders view church will also be analyzed. Online survey (web survey): The online survey will be administered to all churches. The questions will be a combination of open and closed ended and will cover topics related to all main research domains. We recognize that gaining access to contact lists of all churches may be challenging. For this reason, the web-survey will be disseminated using database of existing church networks, accessed through advisory committee members. Site leads will help in promoting and distributing this survey. In the past, CCBR has found that a greater response rate can be achieved when the survey is distributed by organizations with which respondents are familiar. The survey will be confidential and incentives may be included to encourage completion. Key informant interviews: Telephone interviews will be held with five purposively sampled denominational leaders at the national level. Interview questions will be open-ended in order to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences and how the experiences of recent immigrant Christians relate to the general immigrant settlement experience in Canada. The questions will also seek their understanding of church leadership, ministry, structure, and their perceptions about Canadian established churches. These interviews will also provide insights about the future action strategies that would facilitate the active involvements of recent immigrants within Canadian churches. The interviews will be conducted in English. Key informants will be recruited based on the selection criteria approved by the advisory committee and could include immigrant and non-immigrant denominational leaders, regional representation across Canada, etc. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to interview. Interviews will be tape-recorded with the permission of key informants. Analysis and summary: English transcripts of key informant interviews as well as literature review will be analyzed by using content analysis techniques. The quantitative results of the web survey will be analyzed using statistical software (SPSS). A mini-report in PowerPoint format will be

13 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 13 of 17 written summarizing the main findings from these methods and circulated to the advisory committee prior to their next meeting. Advisory committee meeting: A second advisory committee meeting will be held in order to review and discuss the findings of information gathered to date. The committee will also plan the next phase of the research, approving participant selection criteria and recruitment strategies, and reviewing interview protocols to be used in the next phase of the project. Phase III Data Collection (local) During this phase, the data collected from the national level will be further verified by collecting information from stakeholders at the local level. The research participants will provide in-depth insights to both the immigrant experiences and the responses of established churches at each site as well as offer suggestions for future action. Literature review: A review of relevant literature specific to each selected site will be conducted. Study partners and the advisory committee will help identify literature sources. Focus groups: Two focus groups at each site, including 7-12 purposively sampled immigrant church leaders and established church leaders will be conducted. These focus groups will provide information for all the three research domains. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to interview. Focus groups will be recorded with the consent of all the participants and discussion will be transcribed into English. Advisory committee members will finalize the sampling criteria, the interview questions, and guide the process of participant recruitment. Examples of selection criteria could include: balance of gender, range of ages, country of origin, and denomination etc. Key Informant Interviews: Telephone interviews will be held with 15 purposively sampled denominational leaders at the local level (three interviews at each site). Interview questions will be open-ended in order to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences and how the experiences of recent immigrant Christians relate to the general immigrant settlement experience in Canada. The questions will also seek their understanding of church leadership, ministry, structure, and their perceptions about Canadian established churches and seek their suggestion for future action. The interviews will be conducted in English. Key informants will be recruited based on the selection criteria approved by the advisory committee which could include: balance of gender, range of ages, country of origin, and denomination etc. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to interview. Interviews will be tape recorded with the consent of key informants. Phase IV In-depth Data Analysis and Report Writing In this phase, the research team will analyse data collected from all the resources and will write a draft report for the advisory committee comments and feedback. Analysis and summary: An in-depth analysis of all the data collected through focus groups, key informant interviews, web survey and literature review will be analysed. Draft report: A final report will be written summarizing the process and main findings of all information gathered during the study. The report will be written in English. The draft report will be circulated to advisory committee members prior to the advisory committee meeting. Advisory committee meeting: A third advisory committee meeting will be held in order to review and discuss the findings of the study. The committee will also plan the final phase of the research, specifically planning the community forum (s) agenda, forum promotion and

14 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 14 of 17 determining advisory committee roles at the forum. The research team will revise the report based on advisory committee feedback to present it to the community forum (s). Phase V Feedback and Dissemination The final phase of the research focuses on feeding back study findings to all research participants and interested others. During this phase a dissemination and mobilization strategy will also be determined that will share research findings broadly and a variety of ways within the selected church groups, as well as to other academic and non-academic audiences. Community forum(s): One community forum each will be organized at the selected sites (five forums in total). Community forums are a potentially powerful tool that can mobilize people to identify and achieve common goals. All research participants will be invited to attend. The forum will also be open to all members of church community, and will be advertised in local ethnic media. A presentation of main research findings will be made during each forum. Participants will also be able to respond to research findings, discuss them in groups and prioritize future action. Finally the forum will be an opportunity for immigrant church leaders to collectively explore ways in which they can become more meaningfully involved within Canadian society. Finalize report: The final report will be revised based on community forums feedback. The report will be written in English. A copy of the report will be given to the funder, to each study partner and to all advisory committee members. Advisory committee meeting: A fourth and final advisory committee meeting will be held in order to finalize the dissemination strategy to share study findings within the selected church communities and beyond. Examples of dissemination strategies include translating one-page fact sheets for distribution in ethnic churches and ethnic media, academic journal articles, presentations at academic and professional conferences, and media releases and interviews. 9- Project Structure/Management Research Team: Research team will comprise of researchers from the Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) and site leads from TIM Centre and WV who will conduct focus groups in each of the selected sites and will provide data to CCBR for analysis and report writing. The research team will meet as needed through teleconferences. CCBR will coordinate the research team. Advisory Committee: The research advisory committee will guide all the data collection tools, analysis and report writing and dissemination aspects of this project. The committee will meet four times (in person/teleconference) during the project period. CCBR will facilitate advisory committee meetings. Committee members will include 6-8 individuals who will be selected to bring the following perspectives: - Immigrant church leaders - Established church leaders - Partner organizations In addition, an ex-offcio group of key leaders will be formed. They be informed of the study progress through s and will be invited to the community forum.

15 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 15 of 17 Appendices References Summary of work plan

16 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 16 of 17 References Alboim, Naomi. (2009). Adjusting the Balance: Fixing Canada s Economic Immigration Policies, (accessed September 25,2009) Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2008). Facts and Figures. Ottawa: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (accessed September 18, 2009) Creswell, J.W. & Plano Clark, V.L. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Cresswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Janzen R. & Ochocka, J. (2003). Immigrant youth in Waterloo Region. In P. Anisef, P. & K. Murphy Kilbride (Eds.) Managing two worlds: The experience and concerns of immigrant youth in Ontario. Toronto: Canadian Scholar s Press Janzen R. & Ochocka, J. (2003). Immigrant youth in Waterloo Region. In P. Anisef, P. & K. Murphy Kilbride (Eds.) Managing two worlds: The experience and concerns of immigrant youth in Ontario. Toronto: Canadian Scholar s Press Janzen R., Ochocka, J. & the Taking Culture Seriously Partners (2007). The road toward cultural empowerment: An invitation to inclusion. In D. Zinga (Ed.) Navigating Multiculturalism Negotiating Change. Cambridge Scholars Press Kemmis, S. & McTaggart, R. (2005). Participatory action research. In Denzen, N.K & Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research. Third edition. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Janzen, R., Walton-Roberts, M., & Ochocka, J. (under review). Immigrant integration and inclusion in Waterloo Region. In J. Biles & C. Andrew (Eds.) Immigration, integration and inclusion in Ontario Cities. Montreal PQ: McGill-Queen's University Press. Kilbride, K.M., Anisef, P., Baichman-Anisef, E., & Khattar, R. (2000). Between two worlds: The experiences and concerns of immigrant youth in Ontario. Report to the Ontario Administration of Settlement and Integration Services of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Ochocka, J. & Janzen R. (2007). Blending commitment, passion and structure: Engaging cultural linguistic communities in collaborative research. In A. Williamson & R. DeSouza (Eds.) Researching with communities: Grounded perspectives on engaging communities in research. Wairua Press. Waitakere City, New Zealand. Patton, M.Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. California: Sage Publications. Statistics Canada Census. Statistics Canada. (2006). Immigration in Canada: A Portrait of the Foreign-born Population, 2006 Census Thorne, S. (2008). Interpretive description. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press. Witkin & Atlschuld, (1995). Data collection core competencies: Document analysis. Retrieved from:

17 Welcoming Churches Research Proposal Page 17 of 17 Tasks Workplan Description Date Completed Phase 1: Getting Started Initiating the research project Tool Draft focus group and key informant protocols and web survey Dec 2009 development Draft sampling/recruitment/ethics plan for all methods Advisory committee Form cross stakeholder advisory committee (e.g., TIM Centre, World Vision, immigrant and established church leaders) Prepare and hold advisory committee meeting to review workplan and draft tools/sampling/recruitment plan Jan 2010 Finalize tools Revise tools based on the committee feedback Jan 2010 Phase 2: Data Collection (national) Literature review Review of demographic reports, denominational documents and academic articles Ongoing (national) Key informant Prepare and hold 5 telephone interviews with purposively sampled denominational leaders Feb 2010 interviews (national) On-line survey Conduct web survey of all churches March- April (national) 2010 Data analysis Analyze data from all sources April 2010 Draft Draft mini-report answering all the research questions from national perspective April 2010 PowerPoint summary Advisory committee meeting Prepare and hold advisory committee meeting to present/discuss draft mini-report and plan next steps May 2010 Phase 3: Data Collection (local) Literature review (local) Review of demographic reports, denominational documents and academic articles specific to each selected site Ongoing Focus groups (local) Prepare and hold 1 focus group at each project site, including 7-12 purposively sampled immigrant church leaders Prepare and hold 1 focus group at each project site, including 7-12 purposively sampled established church leaders Prepare and hold 3 telephone interviews each at selected sites with purposively sampled May 2010 Key informant interviews (local) denominational leaders (15 in total) May-June 2010 Phase 4: Data Analysis and Report Writing Data analysis Analyze data from all sources July 2010 Draft report Draft report answering all main research questions July 2010 Advisory committee meeting Prepare and hold advisory committee meeting to present/discuss draft report and plan next steps August 2010 Revisions Revise report based on advisory committee feedback August 2010 Phase 5: Feedback, Writing and Dissemination Determining and disseminating future relationships and structures Community Prepare and hold open forum involving all research participants, funders and interested Aug-Sep 2010 forums others Revisions Revise report based on feedback and suggestions Sep 2010 Advisory Prepare and hold advisory committee meeting to discuss knowledge mobilization strategy Sep 2010 committee meeting Knowledge mobilization Implement knowledge mobilization strategy