Research Paper in Transformational Development

In February 2020, I commenced the first unit of the Master of Transformational Development (MTD) with Eastern College Australia. After three years of studying while serving in the Solomon Islands, I submitted my final paper at the end of April. The MTD runs for six semesters, covering subjects pertinent to international aid and development from a faith-based perspective:

1. Climate Change, Justice & Sustainability

2. Biblical Justice, Human Rights and Advocacy

3. Economics, Development and Human Flourishing

4. Doing Theology in the Context of Poverty & Injustice

5. Leadership and Organisational Development

6. Community Development

Each unit is structured with an eight-week reading period, during which you engage with an online reading cohort, a one week face-to-face intensive, and three assessment tasks, including a take home exam, minor essay and major essay (totalling 10,000 words). The major essay (6,000 words) each semester allows the student to choose a topic within the subject matter that relates specifically to their vocational context. Similarly, the final unit requires a research paper (10,000 words) addressing a key issue relating to their situation.

Throughout this course of study, I have had the privilege of studying alongside some extraordinary practitioners from a variety of sectors from around Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand, who have significantly contributed to my learning experience. The relevance of each subject matter to a Pacific context is self-evident and the Solomon Islands has provided the perfect learning environment to apply this knowledge. This has been especially true in our context of leading the growth and development of The Salvation Army in this region, with every unit being timely, relevant and insightful.

The lecturers from Eastern College Australia contributed a wealth of knowledge and expertise and were very supportive throughout the journey. I am particularly grateful to Steve Bradbury who commenced me on this journey and to Steve Bevis who took over the coordination of the MTD midway to see me through to completion.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to The Salvation Army Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Territory for endorsing my study application and to The Salvation Army Australia Territory for approving and funding this course of study. Their investment in me studying the MTD has been an investment in the expanding mission and ministry of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands. Finally, I want to acknowledge Ness for her unwavering support, encouragement and patience through countless hours of study and our District Team who have carried an extra load while I’ve been hidden away completing assessment tasks. In the words of Paul to the church in Philippi, “I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:4-5).

My final assessment task was a Research Paper in Transformational Development, entitled 'Community development reimagined through the context of a Melanesian understanding and experience of ‘shalom’ at a grassroots village level.'

This paper set out to reimagine community development through the context of a Melanesian understanding and experience of ‘shalom’ at a grassroots village level by defining human flourishing and community well-being in local languages. Cultural definitions of a ‘good life’ informed a ‘Melanesian Research Methodology’ that was used to capture indigenous voices with the intention of empowering meaningful community participation in development dialogue and processes.

A review of current literature on community development highlights core principles that speak into five key insights identified by the research results, including: Deficit Mindset, Aid Dependency, Here and Now, Land is Life, and Centrality of Relationships. The discussion and application of these insights offer a critical analysis of current development processes in the Solomon Islands and suggests a more sustainable approach to transformational development in continuity with cultural aspirations for a life that is ‘stap gud’.

The research paper can be accessed and downloaded via The Salvation Army Digital Research Repository link below... 

Research Paper in Transformational Development

Spiritual Formation Journal - Chapter 6

Master of Transformational Development

Community Development

Although this semester is the final chapter in my academic ‘Master of Transformational Development’ journey at Eastern College Australia, it marks a transition in the unfolding journey of personal and professional transformation that will continue long after graduation. In continuity with Romans 12:1-2, throughout this journey I have quite literally been “transformed by the renewing of [my] mind,” spiritually, culturally, and intellectually, which has affirmed “God’s good, pleasing and perfect will” through my calling as a Salvation Army Officer to serve in a cross-cultural context and awakened within me a deeper self-awareness and sense of God’s providence in this space. The application of this transformative journey to my mission and ministry over the past three years cannot be overstated, as it has contributed significantly to the growth and development of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands.

As I embark on my research paper for this final subject – ‘Community Development’ – I am aware that development is also an ongoing process of transformation towards a preferred or desired state of well-being. Unfortunately, in much of the western world, a state of well-being has become defined by the pursuit of more at the detriment of the symbiotic relationships that sustain us. In contrast, the process of framing my research topic within a Melanesian understanding of ‘shalom’ has revealed that community well-being in a Pacific context has more to do with maintaining right relationships than accumulating wealth or establishing programs and projects. The richness of the term ‘shalom’ is captured well by the Melanesian terms ‘gutpela sindaun’ (PNG) and ‘stap gud’ (SI), describing fullness of life, no conflict or division, peaceful existence, love and joy in community (community well-being), holistic well-being. It is noteworthy, the lack of material wealth or modernisation expressed by these definitions. It is going to be a fascinating journey of discovery to explore how these cultural definitions influence village aspirations for development at a grassroots level and how this compares or contrasts with national and foreign development agendas.

It is the relational dimension of well-being that has spoken into my journey of personal transformation throughout this course of study while leading the growth and development of The Salvation Army in the Solomon Islands. Reflecting back on an Executive Leadership Development Program I completed a number of years ago, I recall an assessment of leadership blind spots, identifying that the gap between my stimulus and response to be very quick, which can be a real asset leading in a crisis. However, it can be somewhat of a barrier in facilitating local participation and teamwork in any leadership or community development context, which requires much more attention to the process than results. Process is the space where relationships are nurtured or neglected! It doesn’t matter how much material benefit community development promises if it doesn’t nurture holistic relationships within and between communities, with the environment and with the Creator. As a product of a results-driven culture, with a task-oriented personality and a default disposition towards problem solving, lingering too long in the messiness of process is not my natural or preferred leadership habitat. However, I find myself as an unwitting actor in some divine comedy frequently dwelling in this space in my current vocational context. And when that space creates what I consider to be unnecessary drama, I also find myself trying to change the script. Yet, it is in the state of process that a mutual transformation is actually taking place. With a growing self-awareness and appreciation for the value of process, along with the intrinsic and inviolable nature of relationships for human flourishing and community development, I am becoming a much more willing actor in the ‘dramedy’. Though, I must confess that this is very much a work in progress!

It is no mistake, then, that Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) “stresses a ‘relationship driven’ strategy that works on building and rebuilding relationships within and among community groups” (Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993). This strategy is foundational to my research methodology and is reshaping the way I evaluate and manage existing mission development projects initiated by The Salvation Army. I am looking forward to how the results of my research will inform the process of future community engagement in villages where we are nurturing mission and ministry partnerships.

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:4-6)