Encouraging Church and Neighbour Engagement in a Subsidized Housing Community in Markham, Ontario through Appreciative Inquiry
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Issue Date
2025-09
Authors
Ma, Peter
Advisor
Thornton, William (Advisor)
Artist
Creator
Editor
Photographer
Type
Thesis
Keywords
Citation
Ma, Peter. “Encouraging Church and Neighbour Engagement in a Subsidized Housing Community in Markham, Ontario through Appreciative Inquiry.” D. Min., Tyndale University, 2025.
Abstract
Kin Village and Trinity Square is the largest subsidized housing community in Markham. Flow Without Bounds Ministries (FWBM) runs programs and builds relationships in the neighbourhood with the vision to see every neighbour at Kin Village and Trinity Square live life to the fullest by knowing and following Jesus Christ. This research project was developed through a process of theological reflection on the personal context, ministry setting, and philosophy of leadership of the executive director of FWBM. It was based in the discipline of Practical Theology and used the method of Appreciative Inquiry.
The research project brought together representatives from local area churches and neighbours associated with the FWBM house church. Anecdotally, the researcher noticed a disconnect between these groups when they described their experiences either in the neighbourhood or in churches. The aim was to encourage engagement between these two groups. The participants led by the executive director followed the 4-I Appreciative Inquiry model (inquire, imagine, innovate, implement). The four-week process allowed participants to express their hopes for the neighbourhood and inspire each other with their experience and passion. There was uneasiness with the research process. Yet relationships between church representatives and neighbours developed which led to specific positive initiatives together.
Table of Contents
Introduction – Personal and Ministry Context – Philosophy of Christian Leadership – Research Project Report – Conclusions.
Publisher
Tyndale University
Copyright Notice
Copyright, Peter Ma, managed by Tyndale University. All rights reserved.
Rights License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Rights License Link
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/