a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

meetings on eight occasions at all three congregations. Apart from taking detailed
notes of the testimonies and sermons, I also recorded my general impression and
feelings during each service. 108 The major attention was given to understanding
their theology, the impact of global Pentecostalism, and both the internal and
external issues they face, by observing their style of worship, prayer, testimonies,
sermons, instructions, slogans, songs and means of evangelism.
In the process of data analysis, a balance between critical distance and sensitivity
was maintained. 109 Realising the importance of different types of sensitivity in
qualitative research, such as historical, cultural, political and contextual, efforts
were made to become sensitive to meaning without forcing my own explanations
on data. 110 A variety of sources such as both technical and non-technical 111
literature, personal and professional experiences and insights have been used as
analytical tools. 112 Triangulation was used particularly to verify the data and
analysis related to the early history of Pentecostalism in Rajasthan as well as the
local revivals and their theology. Both etic (outsider) and emic (insider)
approaches have been used in the analysis. 113 As Harvey Cox observes, it is
important to listen both to ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ voices in order to have a
108
For the importance of field notes, see Bryman, Social Research Methods, 306-09.
109
Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin, Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures
for Developing Grounded Theory, 2 nd ed. (London: SAGE Publications, 1998), 42-48. They
discuss ‘a balance between objectivity and sensitivity.’
110
John Swinton and Arriet Mowat Practical Theology and Qualitative Research (London : SCM
Press, 2006), 57-58
111
Non-technical literature consists of letters, biographies, diaries, reports, videotapes,
newspapers, catalogues and other materials. See Strauss and Corbin, Basics of Qualitative
Research, 52.
112
Strauss and Corbin, Basics of Qualitative Research, 42-52.
113
Kenneth Pike was the first to coin the terms ‘etic’ and ‘emic.’ See Kenneth Pike, ‘Etic and Emic
Standpoints for the Description of Behaviour,’ in The Insider/Outsider Problem in the Study of
Religion, ed. Russel T. McCutcheon (London: Cassell,1999), 28-36.
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