Scrawled Shortcuts through the Research Maze
Research in Ministry
Has someone already written your DMin thesis? Check this index to DMin theses, produced by the American Theological Library Association, at http://rim.atla.com/star/rimonline_login.htm
ARDA
What is the population of religiously uncommitted in your hometown? The Association of Religion Data Archive provides affiliation statistics, by county. On http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/, select your state and county, and note the “Unclaimed” bar in the resulting graph
Adherents.com
Where are all the Methodists? Browse this rich website of religion statistics to discover “The Top 10 U.S. States with Most United Methodists” [Maybe Texas?]
Congregational Resource Guide
The Alban Institute is one of the clergyperson’s best online friends. Consult the site for free online reports, tutorials, and how-to guidance on congregational vitality, spirituality, leadership, and worship. http://www.congregationalresources.org/
TextWeek
What’s the Epistle for this week? And which year of the Revised Common Lectionary cycle is it, anyway? Check Textweek at http://www.textweek.com/ for exegetical inspiration, a labor of love by its webmaster, Jenee Woodard.
American Religious Identification Survey
What was that Newsweek headline all about, “The End of Christian America,” which appeared on the April 13, 2009 cover? It’s about the findings of the latest American Religious Identification Survey, which you can find at:
http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/
Online Reference Books
At your service, through the Library’s webpage, including Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Encyclopedia of Religion, and Encyclopedia of Social Work, among others. Find them at:
http://www.drew.edu/depts/library/er-subject.aspx?category=E-Reference%20Books