Participant Observation Report (Term Paper Sample)

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Participant observation
Setting: Church congregation
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Introduction
The environment and physical setting of the church is a new building large enough with well-arranged benches, with fine ornamentation creating a sacred scenery for the congregations. The church is well maintained with no signs of wear with the entry portico showing a welcoming and holy place for a first-time visitor. There is a reading material on one of the walls unfolding the churches’ norms and the other the Ten Commandments. Just on the left-hand side of altering is a well-furnished bookshelf equipped with religious books, Bibles, parish newsletters, service sheets, hymn books and Missals. As you enter the door you are greeted by a smiling face of a woman smartly and decently dressed. She then shows you your sitting position in one of the benches. The pulpit is decorated with flowers of all colors and kinds as an indication of the glory of the one to be worship. It is a nice scenery to look at, an amplification of holiness.
Context and dynamics of communication
Both formal and non-formal communication are used during the church service. The congregation is composed of both those who can hear and the deaf hence well catered for. In cases where the sermon is going on and someone wants to pass information to someone else, she or he could do so using sign language regardless of whether one is deaf of not. Non-verbal communication like gestures and body language is used in the church during sermons to reinforce verbal communication so that the message being passed is received as intended. This is meant to reduce disruptions that may otherwise distort the message meant to be passed the sermon to the Christians. The church place remains silent if no activity is going on unless for the hymnal sings in some occasions where the silent seems long as believers wait to start a new program after the end of another. The language used is full of biblical quotes and in a humble way, a reflection of a Christian life.
Two interesting aspects of communication observed in the church congregation
An aspect of honest like Jesus is seen in members as they communicate. They believe He did what He taught and allowed others to do the same in church and elsewhere and take consideration on how He chose His communication style in addressing different people. He used a forceful language to the powerful like the seven woes in religious doctrines but could use questions to ordinary people to help them chose their response as the woman at the well according to the Bible. The preacher taught in parables just as Jesus did, a communication aspect that allows individuals in the congregation to seek their conclusions regarding the story’s implications and relevance. The language and form of communications used can either close down or invite contributions from members. To show honest, church members attended power dynamics to help others speak out in an open manner. They practiced accurate communication for if the truth is hidden, there will be other issues that may not be addressed leading to the other person being manipulated. Church members believe in negotiating differences as this brings to the fore unexpected ideas as well as solutions.
Another aspect for the Christians in communication was the respect for others’ boundaries just like Jesus. He was sad when people rejected Him, but He did not impose His will on them yet He was very robust in the course of guarding His boundaries. Christians backed this communication aspect from the case of the Bible when Jesus stood His ground even as disciples turned away children. In providing clear boundaries during communication, Christians in the church believe that one can get the necessary security needed on the occasion of speaking their minds and be heard. Members further in their communication showed generosity and forgiveness in their communication which required attention to the inner heart as the leader recognizes spiritual guide in the mission church community. This enhances communication among church members.
Positionality as a researcher
The nature of a church atmosphere is spiritual, and anything done at space is perfect if not close to that. The acceptable codes of social behavior and communication virtues are strictly adhered to with careful verbal and nonverbal modes of communication taking the center stage of the holy place. These perfectly mixes with the location making a feeling of holiness as it is supposed to be. However, one or two people were seen to be deviating from the norms of communication the church and could quickly and tactfully be rectified amicably. It was not an easy experience gathering and identifying the two aspects of communication because it was my first time the given church and had not known the norms of the church. Although my identity in the congregation was somehow received with mixed reactions, the church members were welcoming but showed discomfort on asking questions on the second visit. Church members rejoiced when a new member joins and the amicable welcome gave me a good experience to collect firsthand information that could otherwise be distorted if sourced from other individuals.
Field research question and conclusion
Research question: What aspects of communication in the church are helpful in clearly reflecting the purpose of worship and could be investigated by nonspiritual researchers visiting of church buildings?
The Christian communication values are the same as the features of Christian ministry in which communication is participatory, liberate, builds the Christian community, prophecy and nourishes culture. Therefore, the Christian community is more about communication where all communication typologies are involved ranging from intrapersonal to groups. However, interpersonal communication has a very important role in for example preparing the sermons, preaching, and giving instruction come under the same communication category. Both non-verbal and verbal, formal and informal communication that are...