Dear Friends and colleague action-researchers,

I wonder if you would allow me to share some thoughts about an action-
research mind-set applied to spirtual practice?

For several years after being introduced to A/R by John Elliott in the
1980's, I employed an action research mind-set, a way of thinking, to the
practical issues and problems of teaching in an urban comprehensive, to
curriculum development in PSHE,to an MPhil thesis, and to leading and
managing in school.

It seems to me that the action-research approach to practical professional
situations and the spiral framework we used to improve the quality of
learning could equally well be applied to spiritual development.

Now of course the concept of the 'spiritual'(see e.g.'The Science and
Religion in Schools Project. SRSP.NET) so I am limiting my ideas to
Christian spirituality although I am sure action-research could be applied
to other faiths.

"Metanoein"(see p.580 New Dict.of Christian Theology.1998. Leics. IVP) is
the New Testament idea of a radical change of mind, of thinking , and
behaviour in the light of the rule or government of God breaking into
history in the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus called people
to 'repent', to change their ways and direction. For a christian this is a
life-long process of self-reflection about how we act,  how effective our
discipleship is, and finding ways to develop and improve to do what
pleases God. It is not just 'saying sorry', but working out our faith in
practice.

St Paul uses the phrase, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind........"..  This involves a kind
of action-research mind-set:  seeking to understand Christian principles
for thinking, collecting evidence about how our present thinking
is 'squeezed into society's mould', and finding ways to apply the
Christian motifs of "Creation", "Fall" , and "Redemption" to the way we
think, and address issues of life or professional practice.

The Christian life involves a process or discipline of building character,
virtue and grace. The New Testament urges Christian to check-up, to work
hard to add virtue,  to put to death negative behaviour, to put-on
qualities, and to 'put-off' encumbrances.  This involves thoughtful
activity, self-analysis, strenuous will-power to implement change, and to
review performance. The reflective cycle of action-research IS embedded in
this spiritual practice.

What do you think so far?   I am stretching the application of A/R too far?

The Communion service invites us to examine ourselves to see if we are
living in harmony with others in the commnunity, the Body of Christ.
Elsewhere we are urged to examine ourselves to see if we are still
practising the faith. This involves data collection, analysis,
conceptualisation, application and implementation of change.

In several different areas of spiritual practice the spiral process can be
applied: in prayer; in worship; in resisting temptation and seeking ways
of escape.  In prayer we put into practice the principles Jesus taught;
worship is the development of a life-long relationship with God; resisting
temptation is an activity of improving our capacity, of finding ways to
over-come evil thoughts and actions.

Jesus himself gave us the Golden Rule, which is an invitation to work out
practically how we should behave and treat other human beings.  Our
faculties  can be improved and refined by practice, not just by trial and
error,but through systematic reflection and action.

This mind-set can be applied to learning methodologies of Bible Study,
exposition and application, to evangelism  and mission, to church
oganisation and management: a variety of aspects of spiritual practice.

How do you react?  Is this too esoteric?  Are my thoughts true to theology
on the one hand and to action-research on the other?

I conclude with two examples of action-research as spiritual practice.
Firstly, for all my professional life I have wrestled and reflected about
how I can apply Christian faith to education in a secular setting, in a
way that is true to my 'first important principles", and that is
legitimate in a pluralistic society. This has involved thought, action,
feedback, further learning, doubt and adjustment, working hypotheses and
so on...... as I have worked in a professional setting.

Secondly I have tried to work out some Christian  insights of Creation
(the sanctity of life; respect for persons; fulfilment of creativity); Fall
(recognising distortion in human enterprise, potential for evil; necessity
of justice), Redemption(the possibility of renewal, forgiveness and
change) in the way I have lead, supported and enabled colleagues to work
in turbulent times in school.
The action-reserarch cycle  has given me  a model of thinking, for ever
learning, openness to new insights, learning from feedback;
acknowledgement that we rarely get it 'right', but seek to improve our
practice.