Practical Theology and Mission Studies : Understand, contemplate and do! South African Perspectives

Abstract

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.