Explorations in Practical, Pastoral and Empirical Theology
About the Book Series
Theological reflection on the church’s practice is now recognised as a significant element in theological studies in the academy and seminary. Routledge's series in practical, pastoral and empirical theology seeks to foster this resurgence of interest and encourage new developments in practical and applied aspects of theology worldwide. This timely series draws together a wide range of disciplinary approaches and empirical studies to embrace contemporary developments including: the expansion of research in empirical theology, psychological theology, ministry studies, public theology, Christian education and faith development; key issues of contemporary society such as health, ethics and the environment; and more traditional areas of concern such as pastoral care and counselling.
The Sunday Assembly and Theologies of Suffering
1st Edition
By Katie Cross
May 06, 2022
This book draws on a study of the Sunday Assembly- a "godless congregation"- to reflect on how the Church might better deal with suffering, lament and theodicy. Against a backdrop of a shifting attitudes towards religion, humans are now better connected than ever before. It is no exaggeration to ...
Disclosing Church: An Ecclesiology Learned from Conversations in Practice
1st Edition
By Clare Watkins
December 13, 2021
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 ...
Renewing Pastoral Practice: Trinitarian Perspectives on Pastoral Care and Counselling
1st Edition
By Neil Pembroke
December 13, 2021
This is the first comprehensive treatment of the relationship between the doctrine of the Trinity and pastoral care and counselling. Neil Pembroke contends that an in-depth reflection on the relational dynamics in the Godhead has the capacity to radically renew pastoral practice. Pembroke applies ...
The Bible and Lay People: An Empirical Approach to Ordinary Hermeneutics
1st Edition
By Andrew Village
September 30, 2021
There are many books about how people ought to interpret the Bible. This book is about how people in churches actually interpret the Bible, and why they interpret it in the way that they do. Based on a study of Anglicans in the Church of England, it explores the interaction of belief, personality, ...
Theological Reflection and Education for Ministry: The Search for Integration in Theology
1st Edition
By John E. Paver
September 30, 2021
A major and continuing problem for theological education and the practice of Christian ministry is how to best achieve a genuine integration between theory and practice, theology and experience. The key claim of this book is that theological reflection, beginning with experience, is a method of ...
Congregational Studies in the UK: Christianity in a Post-Christian Context
1st Edition
Edited
By Mathew Guest, Karin Tusting
June 30, 2021
This book presents the first comprehensive introduction to congregational studies in the UK. Through a series of innovative essays, it explores the difference that the increasingly post-Christian nature of British society is making to life in Christian congregations, and compares this to the very ...
Deaf Liberation Theology
1st Edition
By Hannah Lewis
June 30, 2021
Following years of theology of deafness based on the premise that Deaf people are simply people who cannot hear, this book breaks new ground. Presenting a new approach to Deaf people, theology and the Church, this book enables Deaf people who see themselves as members of a minority group to ...
Engaging with Contemporary Culture: Christianity, Theology and the Concrete Church
1st Edition
By Martyn Percy
June 30, 2021
Theology and the churches are often considered to be at the margins of contemporary culture, frequently struggling for identity and attention. In this important new book Martyn Percy argues that a rich form of practical theological engagement is needed if the churches are to comprehend their ...
Tragedies and Christian Congregations: The Practical Theology of Trauma
1st Edition
Edited
By Christopher Southgate, Carla Grosch-Miller, Hilary Ison, Megan Warner
June 30, 2021
When tragedy strikes a community, it is often unexpected with long-lasting effects on the people left in its wake. Too often, there aren’t adequate systems in place to aid those affected in processing what has happened. This study uniquely combines practical theology, pastoral insight and ...
Ecclesial Leadership as Friendship
1st Edition
By Chloe Lynch
March 31, 2021
When it comes to talking about the activity of directing the church, the language of leadership and leaders is increasingly popular. Yet what is leadership – and how might theological narratives better resource the discourse and practice of leadership in ecclesial contexts? In identifying and ...
Poetry, Practical Theology and Reflective Practice
1st Edition
By Mark Pryce
March 31, 2021
This groundbreaking study offers an innovative critical analysis of poetry as a resource for reflective practice in the context of continuing professional development. In the contemporary drive in all professions for greater rigour in education, training, and development, little attention is paid ...
Women Choosing Silence: Relationality and Transformation in Spiritual Practice
1st Edition
By Alison Woolley
December 18, 2020
Silence is long-established as a spiritual discipline amongst people of faith. However, its examination tends to focus on depictions within texts emerging from religious life and the development of its practices. Latterly, feminist theologians have also highlighted the silencing of women within ...