Case studies and scenarios of ministry situations

This webpage offers a collection of global case studies and scenarios for applying principles in real situations.
The case studies cover missionary work, cultural conflicts, religious practices, economic aid, and personal dilemmas.
Effective case study use requires an understanding of the context, identification of the central problem, consideration of multiple perspectives, and the development of viable solutions.

Looking for a case study to use with a class or group?

What would you do in this situation? What does it mean to put your faith into action?

Case studies -- examples of thorny situations -- are very effective in a problem-centered learning approach. Case studies help students practice applying principles and concepts in real situations. These real-life case studies and scenarios -- used by Howard Culbertson as classroom teaching/learning aids -- are available on this site:

Missionary case studies: The links with an asterisk (*) are situations in which a foreign missionary is directly involved.

Case studies: Aids for problem-centered learning

Seven steps to effective case study use

Seven steps to case study discussion Several of the above cases also have specific study guides linked to them.

Brief scenarios or examples with less description than a typical case study

Cultural anthropology scenarios: Gulliver's travels and ethnography in a McDonald's restaurant
Theology of missions scenarios: Are the heathen really lost?
Witnessing scenarios: How would you respond?
Using case studies as a learning tool

What's the best way to use a case study?

Case study exploration guide

Case studies are effective educational tools whose use was pioneered by Harvard University's business school. The best case studies are not made-up, one-upon-a-time stories. Rather, even though names and places may have been changed, these are descriptions of real situations.

For Christian workers heading into situations where they will be cultural outsiders, discussions of case studies can stimulate and hone critical thinking skills for situations where they will be carrying "foreigner" baggage.

Want to know how to process a case study? Follow these seven steps to reflect on and profitably discuss case studies.

How to use a case study

Seven steps to transforming a case study into a learning experience

Read the entire case study narrative.
- Get acquainted with the cast of characters.
- Who is involved?
- What are their historical relationships?
- What constituencies do they represent?
- What might be the agenda of each character in this narrative?
Understand the flow of events
- How did the problem arise?
- Is there a deadline for a decision?
Determine from whose perspective the events are described.
Formulate a clear statement of the problem.
- What values or interests are being challenged?
- What should be the central or focal question?
Identify the issues at stake.
- List factors relevant to comprehending, facing, and resolving the issue.
- What ingredients have compounded the problem or perhaps have even created it?
- Which area has some negotiating room in it?
- Can some of the negative concerns be re-framed positively?
Clarify facts as well as feelings.
- In your initial reading, some facts, elements, or issues may not have seemed very important. As you reflect further on the case, are there items that have grown in importance in your mind?
- What details need clarification? In order to effectively process the case study, will you have to make some assumptions about some unstated details?
- What feelings did you and others have after the initial reading of the case study?
Consider the case study from different angles. A jewel's facets show up best as it is turned to let light hit those facets at different angles. Approach the case study in the same way. Look at it from several different angles. That is, consider it from the point of view of each person involved. What solution would each lean toward?
Dig around for resources.
- What assets are available to resolve the problem?
- Are there opportunities to partner or network in some way?
Make some assertions:
- What ought to be going on?
- What needs to happen to set that in motion?
- To implement the most viable solution, what must be done and by whom?

-- Howard Culbertson,

Afterword: What can using case studies do for you?

Using a case study can offer various valuable insights and lessons, including:

Real-world application: Case studies provide a glimpse into real-life situations, allowing individuals to see how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice.
Problem-solving skills: Analyzing case studies involves identifying problems, understanding their root causes, and developing effective solutions. This helps people enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Decision-making: Case studies often present decision points where individuals must weigh various options and make informed choices. This helps hone decision-making skills, including assessing risks and considering trade-offs.
Understanding complexities: Many real-world scenarios are multifaceted and involve various stakeholders, constraints, and dynamics. Case studies offer a platform to comprehend these complexities and appreciate the interconnectedness of different factors.
Learning from mistakes: Case studies frequently highlight both successful strategies and failures. Studying failures can be as valuable as studying successes, as it allows individuals to understand what went wrong and how similar mistakes can be avoided in the future.
Contextual learning: Case studies provide context-rich learning experiences, enabling individuals to understand concepts within the framework of specific industries, organizations, or situations.
Communication skills: Presenting findings and recommendations based on case study analysis requires effective communication skills. People using case studies can thus enhance their ability to articulate ideas, justify their perspectives, and engage in productive discussions.
Empathy and perspective-taking: Engaging with diverse case studies allows people to empathize with different stakeholders and understand varying perspectives. This fosters a broader worldview and enhances interpersonal skills.
Continuous improvement: Case studies can serve as learning tools for continuous improvement. By reflecting on past experiences and considering alternative approaches, individuals can refine their strategies and practices.

Overall, using case studies can provide a rich learning experience for you that goes beyond theoretical knowledge to offer practical insights, skills development, and opportunities for reflection and improvement.