Dr Helen Cameron and Revd Jane Day
Project Violet is investigating women’s experience of Baptist ministry in the UK whilst developing the women who take part in it.
Theological Action Research has been used to engage 15 women as co-researchers. Each woman has investigated a question of her choice following the action research principle that those closest to an issue know the questions that need to be asked. The co-researchers worked in four small groups meeting to support each other and engage in theological reflection. An outsider perspective on their research was provided by three women theological educators who read and reflected on each group’s research before engaging in joint reflection with them. This conversational approach to theological reflection built upon existing practices of discernment embedded in Baptist ecclesiology.
The findings were launched in May 2024 and can be found on the Project website www.projectviolet.org.uk They included over 50 requests for change. The commitments to action arising from those requests will be put to Baptist Union Council in October 2024.
Theology and Action Research Network 