Questions for Analyzing the Culture of a Worshipping Assembly
1. Information about the church/sect/denomination: When and by whom was it founded? What are some of the highlights of its history and outstanding figures (“saints”)? Does it have a formal set of beliefs (creeds, ecumenical councils, canon law)? How does one become and remain a member in good standing? What is its membership worldwide and does it have any particular ethnic connections?
2. Information about the particular worshiping community: When did representatives of this church/sect/denomination come to the Twin Cities area? When was this particular community founded? What are some of the highlights of its history and outstanding figures? What are the membership statistics (numbers, ages, geographical area, ethnic heritages) and how have they changed over the course of the community’s history? How “representative” is it of the church/sect/denomination of which it is a member?
3. Information about the church/sect/denomination’s worship practices: In what languages is the worship conducted? Does it follow a set calendar of feasts and seasons (“liturgical year”)? Are there official denominational service books and, if so, how are they used to guide worship? How is the Bible used in worship (does it use a lectionary?)? What worship services, if any, are celebrated daily, weekly, monthly, yearly? Is any authorization and/or training needed to conduct worship and, if so, what is it? How are members initiated (baptism? confirmation? enrollment?)? How often is the Divine Liturgy/Mass/Lord’s Supper celebrated, with what elements, with what preparation, and who may partake? What rituals exist, if any, for acknowledging sin and seeking pardon (confession? reconciliation?)? What rituals exist, if any, for prayer with the sick (anointing)? What rituals exist, if any, for designating official leadership (ordination)? What marriage and funeral rituals exist, if any?
Sources for gaining this information include (but are not limited to):
1. Print resources: encyclopedias (the Encyclopedia of Religion and the Catholic Encyclopedia would be especially helpful), books and articles. Determine the quality of the writing (initial, popular, scholarly). Determine the stance of the writer toward the denomination (hostile, neutral, defensive).
2. Denominational “Experts”. If the denomination has (a) designated minister(s), s/he may be especially helpful in presenting official justifications for beliefs and behaviors.
3. Denominational “Members”. Members of the denomination without “official” status may be helpful in presenting unofficial justifications for beliefs and behaviors.
4. Your own participant observation.