My name is Taylor Cockrell, and I am collecting research as part of my Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary. I would like you to participate in a research project that is described below. Your role in this study will be to share the ways you have experienced belonging. Your stories and experiences will help inform future church and youth ministry practices. Before signing this consent form, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me. You will find my contact information in the Questions, Rights, and Complaints section of this form. If you have questions later, I will be happy to discuss them with you at any time.

Description of the study:

The purpose of this study is to conceptualize young adults’ experiences of belonging (both good and bad) and to explore how youth ministry efforts within churches might serve as good news for young people in the places where they need belonging the most. With this purpose in mind, this study is seeking to interview 20 participants who have graduated from high school, are between the ages of 18 and 22, identify as Christian, and had some connection to a church community during their high school years. Examples may include: monthly attendance, participation in youth group, volunteering, or involvement in church-based activities for at least one semester or an equivalent period.

The study is seeking to understand how young peoples’ described positive and negative experiences of belonging might 1) help churches better understand teenagers' engagement with the church, 2) clarify churches’ theological, psychosocial, and practical view of young people, and 3) influence youth ministry approaches to supporting young people

Procedures:

If you decide to take part in the study and are selected for an interview, here is what will happen: You will be asked to participate in one interview (approximately 60 minutes) by Zoom, though in some cases, an in-person interview may be an option. A time will be chosen that works best for the participant and researcher between November 2025 and April 2026. The interview will include a few short questions and open-ended prompts about your experiences of belonging and not belonging. With your permission, the Zoom interview will be recorded and transcribed for accuracy. You can still participate if you don’t want to be recorded. The researcher will take notes instead. Once you have completed the interview, you will be given a $25 Amazon gift card via email as compensation for your time. In rare instances, such as clarification of an earlier response or unexpected loss of data, the Researcher may request a follow-up interview. A summary of findings can be available to you via email at the conclusion of the study.

Risks or discomfort:

While the risk associated with this study is minimal, there is a potential for negative feelings or experiences to surface as participants recount their experiences of belonging. Resources and support can be found through the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (adaa.org).

Benefits of this study:

The participant may benefit from making meaning of past experiences. Making meaning has benefits that include psychological well-being, resilience, identity formation, and spiritual and existential growth. Any downstream benefits that may result from this study (i.e., influence youth ministry approaches to supporting young people) are due in large part to the willingness of the participants to be interviewed.

Confidentiality:

Your part in this study is confidential, including interview responses (excepting suicidality and abuse). The Researcher (Taylor) and the Project Advisor (Dr. Steven Argue) will be the only people with access to your information and interview responses. All collected data, including recordings, from the interviews will be maintained on an encrypted cloud service provided by Dedoose for a maximum of 3 years. Any conclusions drawn from this study will keep participants’ identities anonymous.

Voluntary participation and withdrawal:

Participation in research is voluntary. You have the right to refuse to be in this study. If you decide to be in the study and change your mind, you have the right to drop out at any time. You may skip questions. You may also choose to stop the interview at any time. Whatever you decide, you will not lose any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

Questions, Rights and Complaints:

If you have any questions about this research project, please call or text Taylor Cockrell at (817) 637-3482 or email taylorcockrell@fuller.edu. If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant in this study, please direct them to Dr. Cindy Lee, Doctoral Projects Administrator in Professional Doctoral Programs (626.584.5653, email: dmin-fpcoord@fuller.edu).

Consent statement

This statement certifies the following: that you are 18 years of age or older and you have read the consent and all your questions have been answered. You understand that you may withdraw from the study at any time and that you will not lose any of the benefits that you would otherwise receive by withdrawing early. All of the answers you provide to Taylor Cockrell will be kept private as per the Confidentiality section of this form. You should know that you have the right to see the results prior to their being published.

I consent to participating in the Experiences of Belonging study, conducted by Taylor Cockrell.

Experiences of Belonging Informed Consent