What we do
Our work covers four main areas of research, training and consultancy:
- An active field research programme investigating mission in Europe. Our research focus varies from time to time but we are currently focused on the issues of migration in Europe, on creating portraits of Europe’s non-churchgoers, and on mapping the presence of new and emerging churches and mission movements in Europe. Our previous research activity has included student ministry, church planting, and beginning to map the activity and geographical presence of mission agencies within Europe. We are also pioneering the use of web-based expert panels that will allow us to record the opinions and activities of mission personnel active in Europe.
- Carrying out research commissions for Church and mission-agency clients. We have already worked with a number of clients during our first year of operations. Migration and Church Planting have been the key pieces of commissioned work so far. We are currently working with a client to investigate the presence of new and emerging mission movements in Europe. You can download a pdf copy of our latest research report ‘Mapping Migration Mapping Churches’ Responses: Europe Study’ published in April 2008.
If you are interested in commissioning us to carry out research for your agency or department, please do contact our Director, Darrell Jackson, at djackson@novaresearch.eu who will be happy to discuss your needs in more detail. - Publishing and disseminating the results of our research. We produce a digital research bulletin called RBPlus, emailed to our subscribers' list ten times a year. This features carefully selected news items taken from European media sources as well as findings from our own research programmes.
- Developing research-led teaching and consultancy programmes. Our goal is to provide materials that help us to develop and suggest new and innovate approaches to mission in Europe. Lecturing Redcliffe students as well as currently serving European mission staff is a key way of achieving our stated goal. We are happy to offer consultancy and training to staff in your organisation. Our team has significant experience of lecturing to and consulting with multi-cultural groups in a wide number of European and international locations.
- Developing a historical missions archive focussed on Europe. Smaller mission agencies may have limited budget or staff resource for properly preserving their archives. We have a growing expertise in the maintenance of mission archives and currently hold three sets of archive materials. We are happy to consider receiving further archives and invite you to contact us to discuss this further.