The author gives an analysis of the methodological advantages and disadvantages of using focus groups in practical ecclesiology. He makes a plea for including focus groups in a mixed method strategy in practical ecclesiological research, being attentive to their performative effects. He asks, if ecclesiology governs the methodological design of a practical-ecclesiological research project, should not methods that focus on conversational practices and how people build up a view out of the interaction that takes place within a group, be pulled into the heart of the research? In his reply to this question, the article gives a relational-constructionist, an ecclesiological and a theological rationale for using focus groups.
In this article, the author focuses on the phenomenon of scripture reading in relationship to the new translation of the Bible. How do the listeners in protestant services respond to the new translation? Can we discover a ‘conservative impulse’, a reserved attitude towards
new words and expressions or are the listeners relieved that a new translation has replaced the translation of 1951? First, the author discusses the meaning of liturgy and the influence of a church service upon the participants. Then he analyses the distinct meaning of scripture reading. He
asks for the criteria to be applied to a translation that aims at being read aloud. Finally, the results are presented of a limited empirical, quantitative and cross-sectional survey. One of the main results is that the new translation meets the criteria well. Another result is that a considerable
number of listeners evaluate the comprehensibility of the translation positively, while they simultaneously regret the loss of well-known and cherished words.
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