A Visual Ethnographic Study Giving Voice to Baptist Young People and Re-Envisioning the Practice of Communion

Abstract

The thesis is a qualitative study of young Baptists' experiences of Communion in their contexts, with a view to hearing young theological voices. It draws on themes from liberation theology to shape a participatory methodology and to give validity to the approach of hearing from young people within contextual theology. The study adopts a visual ethnography as a creative and participative approach to working with young people to explore their experiences. An aim is to hear from young people and to speak back to the wider (adult) Baptist church of these often-unheard voices, with a view to critique practice and consider ways of re-envisioning the Communion meal for all. The study draws on contemporary writings relating to Baptists and Communion and considers the place of young people within these. It explores young people's participation within Communion worship and addresses how we nurture young people within faith. It considers how we view and understand young people within the church and wider society, and how old and young learn alongside one another. It is a multi-disciplinary study, touching on the fields of Baptist ecclesiology, the social sciences, and youth work and ministry. The findings are broad in nature; however, some consistent themes emerged in the research, and these are presented under six core headings: Making sense of Communion, Relationships in Community, the Environment, Concern for Others, Self, and How it Could be Different. The findings reveal how young people make sense of Communion and their own place within the church community through their experiences of Communion worship. Young people show a concern for inclusivity at Communion and within the church more broadly. They critique the physical environment of the Communion space, and the way Communion is curated; some offer suggestions to make Communion more meaningful to overcome issues of disconnect, disaffection and awkwardness, and some express their depth of spirituality and connectivity to God through Communion. The findings are illuminating and at times challenging. They inform the church's engagement with young people within the context of Baptist worship and could help reshape Baptist Eucharistic practice. I use the concept of spaces to suggest that Communion, as a sacramental rite within Baptist worship, could be more fully grasped as a nurturing space for young and old to grow in faith and understanding alongside one another. Additionally, I develop the concept of spaces in relation to the research methodology itself as I identify the potential in using photography and conversation as tools for further participatory and emancipatory work to explore Christian experience. The research enabled faith stories to be shared and learning to take place for those who participated. The methods used could be adapted and developed for further work, not only in contextual theological research, but to encourage learning and growth in local churches and to shape ecclesiological practice.

Date of Award	16 Feb 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	RMS UnKnown (Co Supervisor) & Graham Adams (Main Supervisor)