BENV7715 Social Planning

Community Organization Assessment: Overseas Christian Fellowship UNSW

Name: Shen, Bojiu Student Number: 3383781

Contents

Abstract Introduction OCF History OCF UNSW in Social Context Community Research Methodology Community Research Result Community Research Discussion Community Structure Exploration Community Interactions Community Vitalization OCF UNSW Evangelism Seminar and Discussion Conclusion Reference List

2 2 3 4 5 6 14 16 16 18 19 20 21

Appendix A Appendix B

COF Community Survey Result Survey Questionnaire Sample

23 24

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to study a small multicultural organization Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) UNSW, within its social context. In addressing

this aim, this paper describes the research and observations carried out in the community. Research is via a survey to all active members in OCF UNSW

and interviews and discussions with the executive team and members of OCF UNSW, as well as an external evangelist. Research shows that the

organization is young, energetic and has a strong organizational and mutual support to its members. OCF communities across Australia have strong

internal interactions and given the natural and focus of such communities, the OCF UNSW lives in harmony with other religious community groups, societies and the environment.

Introduction

The vitality of a society is closely related to the diversity of community organizations in this society and how those organizations interact in the social context with different values and interests. Extensive community

engagement is important for social planners to address different community concerns, and to become pro-active in the planning process. The best way for extensive community engagement is to learn the relationships in a

community, and entering deeply into community engagement practice means to enter deeply into relationship (Sarkissian et al. 2010, p. 13). According to

Williams (2002, p. 133), small organizations are more effective and more sensitive than large bureaucratic organizations in terms of emergency support, advocacy, information and volunteer service. Small community organizations

also form networks with other small organizations and support each other within a local community (Williams 2002, p. 135).

Within this context, the aim of the essay is to explore a small, student-running organization Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) UNSW from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives for its functionality and social relationships. Quantitative research includes an analysis and discussion of a Qualitative research is about the

survey conducted on 2 September 2011.

vitalization, internal and external interactions of the OCF communities across Australia, interactions between individual members and different social and community activities via my six weeks extensive community engagement, observation and discussion with the executive team and individual members.

OCF History

OCF was officially established in 3 March 1957 with 6 student members from Malaysia, Singapore and Hon Kong (Jesudason & Chin 2007). Jesudason &

Chin (2007) indicated that the establishment of OCF enabled overseas Christian students to be equipped for Christian service while they were in Australia, and spread Christianity after they returned home, which can be concluded as reach out, build up and send back. Hamilton (2001, p. 173)

has concluded that the strength and vigour of congregation is important for the survival of Christian communities, and it is an element in holding together its member and attracting new adherent. After over a half century development, there were a total of 21 OCF communities across Australia. OCF UNSW

community is formed in 1980s, its purpose is as per other OCF groups, is to present the Christian gospel as in the Word of God and to preach the gospel to people from different walks of life. The weekly Bible study meeting place for

OCF UNSW is mainly in Kingsford Church of Christ, located in the south of the intersection between Daceyville St and Anzac Parade.

OCF UNSW in Social Context

Thompson (2007, p. 209) indicated that understanding of a community, including its characteristics, diverse needs and aspirations, is the basis of social planning strategic process. Australian planners use strategic social

planning processes to enhance community well-being and build community capacity (Thompson 2007, p. 211). Australian Federal Government

encourages multiculturalism, as it strengthening social fabric and cohesion,

enabling people to feel secure, adopting new environment quickly, and supporting the development of trade links internationally (Kerkyasharian 1998, p. 7). Randwick City Council (2008) has prepared a Cultural Plan to address

the quality of life, sense of place and cultural needs of the community to enrich local residents lives. The cultural vision of Randwick City Council is to foster

an environment that recognises, support and celebrate communitys cultural diversity and heritage. Given the fact that 35.8% of people in Randwick City born overseas and the proportion of young adult population age from 18-35 were considerably higher than Sydney average by approximately 3% (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006, cited in Randwick City Council 2008), Randwick City provided an excellent environment to foster the development of international student communities like OCF UNSW in local area.

Community Research Methodology

The research of OCF UNSW has been carried out from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. In quantitative research, demographic data in this

community is collected, including age, gender, ethnicity, course of study, housing type, distance to church and the period sample members stayed in Sydney as well as some questions in regards to individual opinions in Christianity. During a six-week period of observation, there were 24

registered Christian members in OCF UNSW, and approximately 21-26

students attend weekly Bible study.

Therefore the demographic sample The survey was

consists of 25 random selected active student members.

conducted on 2 September 2011 in OCF UNSW fortnight prayer meeting. Raw data of this survey is attached in Appendix A and the sample questionnaire is attached in Appendix B to this report. Qualitative research

includes interviews with the executive team of OCF UNSW and the application of Foresters model. The central of Foresters model is learning via human relationships, not only learn from peoples behavior and conversation, also their problem solving, reasoning, beliefs and characters (Sarkissian et al. 2010, p. 13).

Community Research Result

26 25 24 23 Age 22 21 20 19 16-18
6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4

Male Female

Number of People

Figure 1: OCF UNSW sample population structure

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The graph shows that the age structure of male members is spread from 16 to 26 and over 33% of male members are 20 years old. Female members age

ranges from 19 to 24, and concentrated in 20 and 23 years old.

Indonesia 4%

Mavitius 4%

Hong Kong 4%

Malaysian 20%

Singapore 20%

Australia 12%

Thai 4%

China mainland 32%

Figure 2: Nationalities of OCF UNSW members

The pie chart shows the percentage of nationalities of members. Over 80% of members are from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and China. A third of the

members are from China mainland, which occupies the biggest proportion of the population.

14 12 10

Number of People

8 6 4 2 0 High School Undergraduate Level of Study Postgraduate International Student Domestic Student

Figure 3: Study level of OCF UNSW international and domestic members

Figure 3 indicated that over half of OCF UNSW members are in undergraduate level of study. Domestic Students occupy approximately 25% of the total

member population. All domestic students are at undergraduate level and one member is in high school.

non-Christian 28%

5 years above 52% Less than 1 year 5% 1-2 years 4-5 5% 3-4 years years 5% 5%

Figure 4: Proportion of members belief in Jesus and times of their beliefs

The pie chart shows that over half of OCF UNSW members have been Christians for over 5 years. And non-Christian members are more than 25% of the total member population. In the survey conducted on 26 September

2011, 19 out of 25 members are Christian, and 6 members are non-Christian.

7 Number of people 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
0-2 months 2-6 months 6 months to 1 year 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-4 years

Time period in Sydney

more than 4 years

Figure 5: The length of OCF UNSW members staying in Sydney

The bar chart shows that over half of the OCF UNSW members stayed in Sydney for less than 2 years, 11 members stayed in Sydney for less than a year and 6 of them only stayed for less than 2 months.

Hostel 4%

Live with family 8%

Apartment 36%

Live on campus 20%

Shared house 32%

Figure 6: OCF UNSW members types of living

The pie chart indicated the percentage of members living in different type of places. The majority of members are living in apartment and shared house, and 20% of members living on campus.

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
distance <1km 1-2km 2-3km 3-4km distance>4km

Number of people

Distance to Church

Figure 7: Distance between Church and Accommodations of members

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The bar chart illustrates the travel distance between Kingsford Church of Christ and members accommodations. Most members (22 out of 25 people

surveyed) are living within 3 km of the Church, and approximately 66% of the members have a travel distance shorter than 2 km.

9 8 Number of OCF members 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

1-2 months 2-6 months 6 months to 1 year 1-2 years more than 2 years

Time in OCF UNSW

Figure 8: The time period members enrolled in OCF UNSW

The bar chart shows the period of time that members engaged with OCF UNSW. Over half of students stayed in OCF UNSW for less than 6 months.

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Figure 9: Opinions of OCF UNSW members on OCF support, mutual support within OCF, OCF hospitality, satisfactory of the number of activities and events, friendliness of OCF UNSW team members and the level of commitment to Jesus (both Christian and non-Christian).

The graph shows that members are generally more satisfied on the friendliness of the organization and other members. More diverse views are on the number of activities and events held by OCF UNSW every semester. The level of commitment to Jesus for 19 Christian members surveyed all above 65% while 6 non-Christians all below 60%.

All OCF UNSW members who participated in the survey also completed a number of open-ended questions. The 6 main questions and member responses are included in the following paragraphs.

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Question 1: Are there symbolic rituals or customs of OCF UNSW that differ with other Christian community? Most members pointed out that the OCF

UNSW community is a student-running organization, young, dynamic and has a lot of fun. The group dinner after weekly Bible study is a great opportunity for members to communicate and foster friendship.

Question 2: Are you also active in other community organizations beside OCF? How many and what type of organizations? 10 members surveyed (in the

sample size of 25 members) have indicated that they also involved in other organizations. 9 out of the 10 members involved in university/college

societies and clubs such as UNSW AiKido club, school volunteer, campus hall and Malaysian society, and 1 person involved in local church activities.

Question 3: What attracts/motivates you to come and stay in OCF?

Most

members concluded two major points for the question friendship and learning Bible.

Question 4: What makes a good Christian community?

All members realised

the difference between Christian community and other communities, as the community must be Bible-based. All members need to be serious about the

gospel, do things according to the Bible, fellowship and mutual support.

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Question 5: What do you think caused your Christianity?

The answer from

Christian members can be divided into two broad categories: personal experience and influence by others. Personal experiences include the need of God, agree with the Bible and overcome difficulties. others is mainly from family, school and divine. The influence by

Question 6: What do you think is the most basic tenet that makes a person a Christian? Almost all members indicated the faith that Christ is our saviour Some members

and the only God and willingness to love other people.

indicated that participation to church activities is important as it bring one closer to God.

Community Research Discussion

The purpose of the questionnaire is to understand the diverse background and values of OCF UNSW members and their social interactions with wider communities.

Almost all members of OCF UNSW are from the university and resided in the vicinity, thus the society interaction of individual members are mostly happened within the university and local church. The time people stayed in

Sydney and OCF also indicated that the attraction of new student members

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into the society is very important as it is unlikely that members could stay in this organization for more than 3 or 4 years due to the restriction on the durations of their respective courses.

OCF UNSW is a young religious organization.

Most members are Christians Sarkissian et al.

around 20-23 years old and from many different countries.

(2010, p. 11) indicated that in a cross-cultural context, individuals cannot be categorized only by race, religion, class, age, housing type , gender or ethnicity, because individuals are complex intersections of languages, experiences, education, traumas future plans, emotions, settlement histories, friendships, worldviews and addictions. The open-ended questions show that the

common value of the OCF is to love each other and study the Bible. Therefore members come to OCF weekly meeting and shape their values, and their individual interactions with other communities are following the principle of Bible. The weekly meeting enables members to construct stories about what is important, what brings hope, where to harbour fear or oppression, and learn more about oneself and other individuals (Sarkissian et al. 2010, p. 11). Desirable personal characters of the society, such as honesty, friendliness, openness and trust are highly praised in the Bible, so such a community could have positive influence on the wider communities via weekly Bible studies.

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Community Structure Exploration

There are numerous activities and events throughout the year in OCF UNSW, include weekly Bible study meeting, fortnight prayer meeting, joint meeting, annual retreat, fortnight guys/girls group and occasional evangelism and fundraising activities. Because OCF UNSW is a student running organization, Members are encouraged to participate in worship The executive team of OCF UNSW consists of

it does not have a priest.

every Sunday in local church.

a President, Treasurer, Bible Study and Social Event Coordinator and Worship Leader. As there are 21 OCF communities in Australia, a National Committee

for OCF is established to supervise Bible study, local community development and annual events for OCFs in different states across Australia.

Community Interactions

The internal interaction within OCF communities can be considered in three levels. The national level of community interaction is OCF Convention event held every year. It is an national convention event for OCF Christians to learn

Gods Word through the main messages, workshops, devotions and Bible studies, and also an opportunity for OCF members broaden their views, interact with like-minded people from other part of Australia and increase the sense of belonging via relax and play during the convention period.

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The coming OCF Convention 2011 will be held in Sydney from 2 to 6 December 2011, therefore two fundraising activities was conducted in August by OCF UNSW. The first fundraising event was the major one, held in All ex-OCF members in local area were

Milsons Chinese Christian Church.

contacted and approximately 40 ex-members participated in this meeting, and paid AUD 40 each to support the Sydney convention event. Current OCF

members ran the meeting and served food and drink, while 3 ex-members gave speeches and showed old photos dated back to 1950s, which brought back great memory of the old OCF communities and its development. After

the two fundraising events, OCF UNSW has raised AUD 500 giving a state total of approximately AUD 2000. Further actions may be conducted as per

the instruction of OCF National Committee.

The state level of community interaction is OCF NSW Annual Retreat, and it is supervised by the OCF National Committee. There are 3 OCF communities in NSW OCF UNSW, OCF Sydney Uni, and OCF Macquaire Uni. This years annual retreat happened in July. The main purpose of the event is to

interact and establish a relationship with other OCFs. The relationship will not only strengthening the survivability of small organizations but also facilitate joint meetings between universities for Bible studies. The annual retreat will also reinforce the fundamental idea of OCF communities reach out, build up and send back, which is a cultivation of social capital. The fundamental idea

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is to build up knowledge of God via interaction with the community, and after graduate, one will be equipped with the knowledge and able to spread Christianity back to ones hometown.

The local level of community interaction is via joint meetings with other OCF communities, which is the interaction with the OCF Sydney Uni and OCF Macquarie Uni. Joint meetings provide an opportunity to explore the different

culture and customs of Christian communities in another local area in a relatively informal and casual way, which is beneficial to cultivate and reinforce the concept and knowledge of the Bible.

Unlike some Christian communities, OCF has more focus on internal community interaction rather than external interaction with the society, the reason maybe of the limited time for students in this organization to be equipped with sufficient knowledge for send back after graduation. Therefore the major external interaction is with Kingsford Church of Christ, involves booking for weekly Bible study and participate weekend worship. Other interactions involve inviting guests like evangelist and other speakers.

Community Vitalization

The key aspects for the survival of small organization include the attraction of

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new members and funding issues (Williams 2002, p.69). The major source of fund is from weekly offerings, and also receive fund for annual retreat and convention. The major expenditures of fund include outreach and pay for invited speakers. New members are mainly attracted from O-week in UNSW.

A stall will be setup in O-week and a free welcome dinner is offered in the beginning of the semester. Executives of OCF UNSW indicated that

approximately 30% of student registered in O-week will stay in this organization. When new people come to OCF, old members make friends with them open-heartedly, and ice-breaker games will be organized. For

those new members stayed in this organization, 66% of them will be active, giving a number of 21-26 students participating weekly Bible study.

OCF UNSW Evangelism Seminar and Discussion

An Evangelism Seminar was held on 29 August 2011. The evangelist mainly talked about how Christians interact with non-Christians or anti-Christians. The concept was to take initiative in good news sharing, and living the result to God. Anti-Christians are normally very critical to Christianity, so when

talking with them, the best practice is to let them share their opinion, and it is always good to focus on the ability of love and grace when talking to non-Christians. The evangelist indicated that the modern society is a material focused society, and it is beneficial to have spiritual conversations with friends

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and have uncensored sharing of Christianity activities.

A discussion with the evangelist was carried out before the seminar for community research. Three questions were asked: the relationship between different Christian communities, the relationship between Christianity and other religions and the Christian perspective on environmental issues. He

indicated that different Christian communities are like different families, fundamental principles are the same but some customs and rituals are slightly different. Christian groups are always open to anyone interested and want to

join, regardless of the individual background. In the question of relationships between Christianity and other religions, he answered that Christians will never judge other peoples beliefs, as in the Bible Who are you to judge someone elses servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will

stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand (Romans 14:4 New International Version). In terms of environmental degradation and resource depletion, he

said that the God created the world and provided human with all resources and necessities, therefore the environmental resources need to be utilized wisely and sustainably.

Conclusion

Small community organizations are important social fabric.

Randwick City is

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a multicultural city concentrated with young people from different cultural background, and it provided excellent policies to foster small multicultural organizations like OCF UNSW. OCF UNSW established in 1980 and Study is carried out from both

currently has 24 registered Christian members. quantitative and qualitative perspectives.

The study includes the history,

demographic distribution, cultural background, ethnicity, social interactions, vitalization and evangelism of the Christian community. Research shows that

OCF UNSW is a young, dynamic and open-hearted organization focusing on the Bible that enriches peoples lives. It has a positive influence on the OCF communities have

society as norm of Christians are from the Bible.

extensive internal interactions in all levels and have less focus on the external interaction with the wider community. Different Christian communities live in

harmony together and they do not judge other peoples religions. Christians view on environmental issues does not conflict with sustainable development concept. Therefore OCF UNSW is a well-developed multicultural religious organization focusing on reach out, build up and send back.

Reference List

Hamilton, M 2001, Sociology and the Worlds Religions, St. Martins Press, New York.

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Jesudason, N & Chin, P 2007, Overseas Christian Fellowship History 1957-2007, Overseas Christian Fellowship, Sydney.

Kerkyasharian, S 1998, Multiculturalism in Australia Today and Tomorrow, Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW, Parramatta.

Randwick City Council 2008, A Cultural Randwick City, Randwick City Council, Sydney.

Sarkissian, W, Hurford, D & Wenman, C 2010, Creative Community Planning: Transformative Engagement Methods for Working at the Edge, Earthscan, London.

Thompson, S 2007, Planning for Diverse Communities, in S Thompson (ed), Planning Australia: An Overview of Urban and Regional Planning, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne.

Williams, F 2002, Odd socks: Why the survival of small community organisations is critical, Local Community Services Association, Surry Hills.

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Appendix A

OCF COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULT

Demographic Info Percentage of Satisfaction
Apartment distance to church (km) 0.4 0.2 2 3 2 4 1.5 3 0.5 6 1 1 6 0.2 0.2 3 3 3 0.4 1.5 0.8 3 0.08 1 2 time in OCF (months) 2 2 2 2 1.5 6 2 12 30 7 6 6 48 3 3 18 1 2 18 2.5 24 18 30 24 15 Participation of OCF activity less than 1/wk less than 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk less than 1/wk 1-2/wk 2/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1-2/wk 1/wk 1/wk 1/wk 2-3/wk 1-2/wk 1/wk 1/wk 2/wk 1-2/wk Christian organization support 80 70 80 80 50 100 90 95 60 100 80 70 70 70 70 70 80 90 80 90 90 90 80 80 90 mutual support 70 60 80 80 70 100 90 95 60 100 90 70 70 54 54 70 80 85 100 90 90 95 70 100 90 organization hospitality 100 45 90 90 95 100 100 100 100 100 95 100 90 60 60 100 100 95 100 100 100 100 90 100 90 activities and events 70 90 50 100 95 100 100 100 60 100 90 40 80 30 30 20 90 80 60 100 90 85 100 70 90 friendly devote oneself 20 20 30 40 50 60 60 65 70 75 80 80 87 87 90 99 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Age

gender

Country

International Student yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no yes no no no yes no no yes yes yes yes yes yes

time in Sydney (yrs) 2.5 0.167 0.167 0.167 0.167 0.5 2 1 3 0.583 0.5 8 4 4.5 4.5 2 0.167 0.167 1.5 0.5 2 3 2.5 2 1.25

Course of Studying

live alone yes yes yes Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes with family yes with family yes yes yes yes yes

20 20 26 22 21 24 19 23 23 23 21 19 25 20 20 20 20 16 20 19 20 21 22 22 24

F M M F M F F F F F M M M M M M F M M F F F F M M

China China China China China China Thai China Singapore Indonesia Malaysian Australia Singapore Australia Australia HK Malaysian Malaysian Malaysian Malaysian Singapore China Mavritius Singapore Singapore

B Commerce B Solar Energy M planing M Design M Elec Eng M Telecommunication B Commerce Law M Commerce B Commerce M B medicine & surgery B Medical sci B Medicine B Commerce B Commerce B Aviation mgt B high school B civil eng B Architectureal computing B M Finance B medicine B Aerospace Eng B Computer sci

Apartment Apartment shared house shared house shared house Shared house Apartment Apartment shared house shared room Apartment campus hostel shared house shared house Apartment Apartment Apartment campus unit campus campus campus Apartment Apartment

no no no no no Yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

80 80 90 100 95 100 100 90 60 100 80 80 90 70 70 70 90 90 70 100 90 95 80 100 90

Appendix B

Survey Sample

Age________ Nationality_____________

Gender________ Are you an international student________

Are you a Christian/non-Christian? ______________ What is the distance between your accommodation and the church? How many years/months have you been involved in OCF? ___________

______________

How often do you participate OCF activity? (how many times a week/month)? ____________ How long have you been here in Sydney? ___________ What university and what course are you studying? At what level (e.g. bachelor, master, etc.) ? Do you live with your family or along in Sydney? What type of accommodation do you live (e.g. shared house/room, apartment, campus, etc.)? Are there symbolic rituals or customs of OCF that differ with other Christian community? Are you also active in other community organizations beside OCF? What attracts/motivates you to come and stay in OCF? What do you think caused your (non-)Christianity? When and how did you first decide you were a Christian? Why do you think Christians place so much emphasis on their beliefs? What makes a good Christian community? What do you think is the most basic tenet that makes a person a Christian? Do you think OCF has interactions with local community? How? And to what extent?

To what extend (percentage) do you agree/disagree: OCF has a very strong support to its members Everyone in OCF can have strong mutual support/help OCF is a very open group welcomes everyone to join

Disagree(0%)------------Agree(100%) ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________

OCF has plenty of activities and events throughout the semester Everyone in OCF is extremely friendly and loves each other I devote myself completely to Jesus.