Practical theology as a subject area has grown and become more sophisticated in its methods and self-understanding over the last few decades. This book provides a complete and original research primer in the major theories, approaches and methods at the cutting-edge of research in contemporary practical theology. It represents a reflection on the very practice of the discipline itself, its foundational questions and epistemological claims. Each chapter examines different aspects of the research process: starting with experience and practice, aspects of research design and epistemology, communities of learning, the influence of theological norms and tradition on the practice of research, and ethical considerations about what constitutes ‘the good’ in advanced research. The uniqueness of this book rests in its authoritative overview of current practical theological research across a range of traditions and approaches, combined with a comprehensive introduction to research methodology. It offers worked examples from the authors, their colleagues and research students that serve to illustrate key ideas and approaches in practical theological research. The four authors are all internationally-leading scholars and rank amongst the most influential figures in practical theology of their generation. The book promises to be of interest to students, teachers and researchers in practical theology, especially those looking to conduct original practice-based enquiry in the field.

The formal discipline of practical theology developed largely in Protestant contexts and has recently garnered increasing attention among Catholic academics. Claire Wolfteich, a leading Catholic scholar in the field of practical theology, in this volume gathers significant voices to write on the many aspects to be considered in the study of practical theology. The result is the first text of its kind for professors and students of practical theology wishing to consider it from a Catholic perspective and a much needed core text for use in Catholic graduate programs of ministry and theology. Contributors Claire E. Wolfteich Kathleen Cahalan and Bryan Froehle Colleen Griffith David Tracy Terrence W. Tilley Edward Foley M. Shawn Copeland Roberto Goizueta Carmen María Cervantes, Allan Figueroa Deck, SJ, and Ken Johnson-Mondragón Janet K. Ruffing Julie Hanlon Rubio Bradford Hinze Stephen Bevans, SVD Thomas Groome Annemie Dillen and Robert Mager +

This book is the first of its kind to fully explain how to use photographs for research within Practical Theology. An essential tool for anyone exploring how visual material can shed light on their research questions, the book functions as a guide to using the methods well. It includes a rationale for using photographs within the emerging field of empirical work within theology, which is useful for students or others within the academy who need to justify using a visual approach for their research projects and dissertations. Drawing on the author's own experience of using visual approaches, the book covers a variety of visual methods, including photojournalism, different types of photo elicitation, photo voice and studies of visual social media. Each chapter illustrates the method under discussion via a case study and photographs and contains a practical guide to using the method well and avoiding pitfalls. Additionally, the book explores how photographs can be used to resource theological reflection and spirituality, thus linking research and faithful practice within the rational for using visual material. Designed for the classroom use, each chapter contains: - Chapter summary (learning points) - Background information - 'how to' with examples of research projects - Advantages and limitations of the method - Conclusion

A unique introduction to the developing field of Theology and Qualitative Research In recent years, a growing number of scholars within the field of theological research have adopted qualitative empirical methods. The use of qualitative research is shaping the nature of theology and redefining what it means to be a theologian. Hence, contemporary scholars who are undertaking empirical fieldwork across a range of theological subdisciplines require authoritative guidance and well-developed frameworks of practice and theory. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research outlines the challenges and possibilities for theological research that engages with qualitative methods. It reflects more than 15 years of academic research within the Ecclesiology and Ethnography Network, and features an international group of scholars committed to the empirical and theological study of the Christian church. Edited by world-renowned experts, this unprecedented volume addresses the theological debates, methodological complexities, and future directions of this emerging field. Contributions from both established and emerging scholars describe key theoretical approaches, discuss how different empirical methods are used within theology, explore the links between qualitative researchand adjacent scholarly traditions, and more. The companion: Discusses how qualitative empirical work changes the practice of theology, enabling a disciplined attention to the lived social realities of Christian religion and what theologians do Introduces theoretical and methodological debates in the field, as well as central epistemological and ontological questions Presents different approaches to Theology and Qualitative research, highlighting important issues and developments in the last decades Explores how empirical insights are shaping areas such as liturgics, homiletics, youth ministry, and Christian education Includes perspectives from scholars working in disciplines other than theology The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Theology and Qualitative Research is essential reading for graduate students, postgraduates, PhD students, researchers, and scholars in Christian Ethics, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology, Contemporary Worship, and related disciplines such as Ecclesiology, Mission Studies, World Christianity, Pastoral Theology, Political Theology, Worship Studies, and all forms of contextual theology.

In Collaborative Practical Theology, Henk de Roest documents and analyses research on Christian practices as it can be conducted by academic practical theologians in collaboration with practitioners of different kinds in Christian practices all around the world.

Practical Theology is a growing discipline in its own right, and the latest thinking in practical theology; of how to use theological learning in practical situations, is fully explored in this new edition of an established textbook. The authors examine methodologies of the social sciences and questions how they can enable the task of theological reflection; examine the relationship between qualitative and quantitative methods and highlight the significance of both for the task of practical theology. They also take the reader through the actual process of developing and carrying out a research project using the author's own research as case study examples. Previous case studies include: the rise in spirituality; the decline in church attendance, evidence-based medicine compared to needs-led assessments, the growth in chaplaincy and how it is understood as separate from parish ministry. In this second edition, case studies and all bibliographies have been updated plus a new chapter has been added.

From 2006 to 2011 researchers at Heythrop College and the Oxford Centre for ecclesiology and Practical Theology (OxCEPT, Ripon College Cuddesdon) worked on a theological and action research project: "Action Research – Church and Society (ARCS). 2010 saw the publication of Talking About God in Practice: Theological Action research and Practical Theology (SCM), which presented in an accessible way the work of ARCS and its developing methodology. This turned out to be a landmark study in the praxis of Anglican and Catholic ecclesiology in the UK, showing how theology in these differing contexts interacted with the way in which clergy and congregations lived out their religious convictions. This book is a direct follow up to that significant work, authored by one of the original researchers, providing a systematic analysis of the impact of the "theological action research" methodology and its implications for a contemporary ecclesiology. The book presents an ecclesiology generated from church practice, drawing on scholarship in the field as well as the results of the theological action research undertaken. It achieves this by including real scenarios alongside the academic discourse. This combination allows the author to tease out the complex relationship between the theory and the reality of church. Addressing the need for a more developed theological and methodological account of the ARCS project, this is a book that will be of interest to scholars interested not only Western lived religion, but ecclesiology and theology more generally too.

This book offers insights into the thinking of majority world practical theologians and introduces the reader to faith realities previously unknown in a quest to create a more inclusive and welcoming practical theological network. Practical theologians are situated in all corners of the globe attempting to make sense of their lived experiences and of those around them from a faith perspective. Historically, practical theology tended to be constructed from academics situated in the West and indirectly marginalized those in and from the majority world. Against this backdrop, this book is a deliberate attempt to empower practical theological voices from the further corners of the global village, based upon the conviction that sharing epistemologies creates an opportunity not only to learn about others and the contexts in which they live, but from them, enhancing the meaning making of practical theology in the present. Cognisant that epistemology as a formal discipline does not always centre lived experience, practical theology has historically prioritised the importance of wisdom, worldview, and a way of life for individual and collective knowing. The diverse issues addressed in this work offers insights into the thinking of mainly Asian and African practical theologians and introduces readers to the faith realities previously unknown to create a more inclusive and welcoming practical theological network. This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Practical Theology.

Why does bad theology happen to good people? Is it even possible for theology to go "bad"? On the one hand, the answer ought to be ‘no’. It comes from God, so how can it be bad? Yet theology is predominately human construct, and as a result, humans can influence their theological conclusions with their own desires and beliefs. The result, more often than we care to admit, is ‘bad theology’. Drawing on a careful definition of ‘bad theology’ as theology which denies human flourishing, avoids self-reflection and doesn’t seek justice and equality, Leah Robinson offers a series of penetrating case studies which show what bad theology can look like when put into action. As we look at how theology can be bad, she argues, we might begin to understand how it might be better.

Practical Theology and Mission Studies: Understand, contemplate and do! South African Perspectives is an academic book that consists of theoretical contributions from lecturers and research associates of the Department of Practical Theology and Mission Studies at the Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria (UP). Practical theology is multifaceted. It is present in a wide variety of locations and environments. It is also unlike Missiology to be idle or remain ‘pie in the’ sky. Even Missiology, or as at the University of Pretoria, Mission Studies, remains an applied ‘practical’ theological discipline. These theological disciplines emphasise the significance of the context or specific circumstances in which it operates, seeking to recognise the presence of the divine and understand its calling within the complexities of everyday life. Practical Theology remains contextual. Thus, this book focuses on the South African context since epistemology from a South African viewpoint involves comprehending the lived experiences and knowledge systems of individuals from this side of the world. The present-day experience, known as the context, influences individuals’ perspectives and the development of theological beliefs through the interplay of culture, social position, and societal transformation within a specific setting. As a collective, the fields of inquiry that come into play within this book are research methodology, practical theology, liturgy, homiletics, pastoral care and counselling, children’s ministry, youth ministry, diakonia, community development, mission studies, missional theology, missional diaconate, and missional leadership. The various chapter contributions discuss different methodologies, indicating the rich variety within Practical Theology and Missiology. Prof. Jacques W. Beukes (editor) Jacques is an associate professor in the Department of Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Previously, he was an associate professor in Practical Theology at the University of Pretoria.