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Introducing Practical Theology: Mission, Ministry, and the Life of the Church
This introduction to the field of practical theology reclaims a theological vision for the life and work of the church. Pete Ward dispels the myth that practical theology is a distraction from the "real" tasks of ministry or from serious academic theological work. He argues that practical theology is part of the everyday life of the church and that there are a variety of possible approaches, helping readers evaluate the approach that is most appropriate to their ministerial context and theological tradition. This reliable, accessible resource will work well for those in training or in ministry.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2017
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41 people want to read
About the author
Pete Ward
33 books2 followersPete Ward (PhD, King's College, London) is a professorial fellow in ecclesiology and ethnography at St. John's College, Durham University, in Durham, England. He also teaches at MF The Norwegian School of Theology, Oslo. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of numerous books, including Perspectives on Ecclesiology and Ethnography, and has written in the areas of youth ministry, contemporary worship, theology and popular culture, and ecclesiology.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 26, 2022
Does what it says on the tin.
November 4, 2017
Christianity, like most religions, has practical expressions. We worship, serve, care, administer, teach, preach, evangelize. There is a theological component to all of this, whether it is theological reflection on experience/practice or application of theology. If one prepares for ministry at seminary, one will take, in addition to the core courses in bible, theology, church history, courses that deal with those areas of practice. It is helpful to have a firm grasp on what is happening, so one is ready to move forward in ministry.
Pete Ward's "Introducing Practical Theology," provides a readable overview of of the field of practical theology. The author, who is "professorial fellow in ecclesiology and ethnography at St. John's College, Durham University, offers this book to two audiences. The first is his colleagues in the field of practical theology and a more general audience including students studying practical theology as well as practitioners, by which I assume he means clergy, who wish to further develop their skills in theological reflection on ministry. One of his concerns is the need to reembrace "applied theology," by which I believe he means putting faith into practice. Thus, his definition of practical theology is "any way of thinking that takes both practice and theology seriously." (p. 5).
While Ward engages a broad spectrum of thinkers, his own orientation in this introductory book is evangelical (though in our times that word has become rather suspect). When it comes to the starting point, he begins with theology/scripture rather than experience. That is, he moves from theology to practice, rather than from practice to theology. Or maybe better he leans in the direction of theology as starting point, as he admits that it is difficult to name a definite starting point.
The book itself is comprised of ten chapters. He starts with the a chapter exploring the premise that practical theology is the "ordinary life of the church." In other words, whatever needs to be said here is connected to church in its day to day existence. From there he moves to an exploration of Anselm's premise concerning "faith seeking understanding" as a context for doing this work. He expeaks of the connection of the Gospel to Practical Theology and its relationship to lived theology. There is a chapter on the discipline as a conversation about practice and theology, followed by a description of theological reflection. Throughout these chapters, we encounter important figures in the field from Stewart Hiltner to Bonnie Miller-McLemore. Chapters seven and eight speak to the relationship of practical theology to the theological disciplines (bible, theology, etc.) and "conversation about culture. The final two chapters are focused on the actual study of practical theology, including doing "small-scale empirical research" and producing papers and studies.
Of the chapters, the one that most interested me was chapter eight, which explored cultural context. In part this is a chapter exploring mission studies. At the center of the conversation is the issue of translation -- how do we speak and act within a context? To what extent does culture affect how we live as Christians? Conversation partners here include Lammen Sanneh, Lesslie Newbigin, and David Bosch. In part, this is a conversation about the challenges of syncretism as well as shifting paradigms.
As i read the book I tried to think about how I might use it. As a pastor, it is a helpful reminder of the need to reflect theologically on the practices of ministry, and that there are different ways of doing this. We can learn from all of them. As for students, I think it might be suitable for a seminary class and perhaps an upper division undergraduate class. As for teachers of practical theology, it might be too basic. On the other hand, it might serve as a good refresher/conversation starter. I recently wrote my own book on the theology of ministry. I offered it to practicing clergy as a conversation starter, knowing that much if not most of the material in the book won't be new.
Ultimately, this book is what it advertises itself to be -- an introduction to practical ministry. If that includes you, then you will find it helpful.
Pete Ward's "Introducing Practical Theology," provides a readable overview of of the field of practical theology. The author, who is "professorial fellow in ecclesiology and ethnography at St. John's College, Durham University, offers this book to two audiences. The first is his colleagues in the field of practical theology and a more general audience including students studying practical theology as well as practitioners, by which I assume he means clergy, who wish to further develop their skills in theological reflection on ministry. One of his concerns is the need to reembrace "applied theology," by which I believe he means putting faith into practice. Thus, his definition of practical theology is "any way of thinking that takes both practice and theology seriously." (p. 5).
While Ward engages a broad spectrum of thinkers, his own orientation in this introductory book is evangelical (though in our times that word has become rather suspect). When it comes to the starting point, he begins with theology/scripture rather than experience. That is, he moves from theology to practice, rather than from practice to theology. Or maybe better he leans in the direction of theology as starting point, as he admits that it is difficult to name a definite starting point.
The book itself is comprised of ten chapters. He starts with the a chapter exploring the premise that practical theology is the "ordinary life of the church." In other words, whatever needs to be said here is connected to church in its day to day existence. From there he moves to an exploration of Anselm's premise concerning "faith seeking understanding" as a context for doing this work. He expeaks of the connection of the Gospel to Practical Theology and its relationship to lived theology. There is a chapter on the discipline as a conversation about practice and theology, followed by a description of theological reflection. Throughout these chapters, we encounter important figures in the field from Stewart Hiltner to Bonnie Miller-McLemore. Chapters seven and eight speak to the relationship of practical theology to the theological disciplines (bible, theology, etc.) and "conversation about culture. The final two chapters are focused on the actual study of practical theology, including doing "small-scale empirical research" and producing papers and studies.
Of the chapters, the one that most interested me was chapter eight, which explored cultural context. In part this is a chapter exploring mission studies. At the center of the conversation is the issue of translation -- how do we speak and act within a context? To what extent does culture affect how we live as Christians? Conversation partners here include Lammen Sanneh, Lesslie Newbigin, and David Bosch. In part, this is a conversation about the challenges of syncretism as well as shifting paradigms.
As i read the book I tried to think about how I might use it. As a pastor, it is a helpful reminder of the need to reflect theologically on the practices of ministry, and that there are different ways of doing this. We can learn from all of them. As for students, I think it might be suitable for a seminary class and perhaps an upper division undergraduate class. As for teachers of practical theology, it might be too basic. On the other hand, it might serve as a good refresher/conversation starter. I recently wrote my own book on the theology of ministry. I offered it to practicing clergy as a conversation starter, knowing that much if not most of the material in the book won't be new.
Ultimately, this book is what it advertises itself to be -- an introduction to practical ministry. If that includes you, then you will find it helpful.
December 12, 2019
Though originally published in 2017, Baker Academic has more recently made Introducing Practical Theology available for more general review.
The author begins with the very real premise that “... all theology can be practical” (p. 9). Earlier, in the introduction, he points out that
================
Modern theology has a basic fault line running through it between liberal theology, which prioritizes experience over doctrine, and conservative theology, which prioritizes doctrine over experience. Both the rejection of applied forms of theology and the uncritical acceptance of practical theology as distinct because it starts with practice are problematic because these views situate the discipline solely within the liberal tradition. This is a problem not because I would advocate an uncritical conservative approach. Rather, I argue for a collapse of these two distinctions—the liberal and the conservative—into one another. The distinction is therefore artificial.
================
Hence, theology, the author argues, is not merely theoretical, but also must influence the life of the church. How this is to be done is not always an easy task; but it is a task that the theology practitioner, the theology student, and all believers will want to undertake.
The first two chapters seek to define Practical Theology, The author then begins connects Practical Theology to the Gospel and to the lives of believing individuals and communities.
The book then moves onto the “how” of practical theology - chapter 5. “At its heart,” the author states, “[Practical Theology] is a conversation,” a “complex and multilayered” conversation. He examines several of the individual scholars and writers that have contributed to the field. The next three chapters address how practical theology interacts with other branches of theology:
6. Theological Reflection
7. Theological Disciplines
8. Culture
The final two chapters examine the role empirical research plays within the field and how the practitioner will produce Practical Theology - whether it be through living one’s life, writing, preaching, etc. The final chapter is by far the most practical chapter but follows nicely from the preceding chapters.
The book is well-researched - with copious footnotes and a formal bibliography of all quoted resources. As a piece of writing, it is an academic work. Though not stated officially, it could easily have been offered as a Ph.D. dissertation. Though not designed for general reading, the book is not difficult reading. This reader, a semi-retired pastor, found the book interesting.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
The author begins with the very real premise that “... all theology can be practical” (p. 9). Earlier, in the introduction, he points out that
================
Modern theology has a basic fault line running through it between liberal theology, which prioritizes experience over doctrine, and conservative theology, which prioritizes doctrine over experience. Both the rejection of applied forms of theology and the uncritical acceptance of practical theology as distinct because it starts with practice are problematic because these views situate the discipline solely within the liberal tradition. This is a problem not because I would advocate an uncritical conservative approach. Rather, I argue for a collapse of these two distinctions—the liberal and the conservative—into one another. The distinction is therefore artificial.
================
Hence, theology, the author argues, is not merely theoretical, but also must influence the life of the church. How this is to be done is not always an easy task; but it is a task that the theology practitioner, the theology student, and all believers will want to undertake.
The first two chapters seek to define Practical Theology, The author then begins connects Practical Theology to the Gospel and to the lives of believing individuals and communities.
The book then moves onto the “how” of practical theology - chapter 5. “At its heart,” the author states, “[Practical Theology] is a conversation,” a “complex and multilayered” conversation. He examines several of the individual scholars and writers that have contributed to the field. The next three chapters address how practical theology interacts with other branches of theology:
6. Theological Reflection
7. Theological Disciplines
8. Culture
The final two chapters examine the role empirical research plays within the field and how the practitioner will produce Practical Theology - whether it be through living one’s life, writing, preaching, etc. The final chapter is by far the most practical chapter but follows nicely from the preceding chapters.
The book is well-researched - with copious footnotes and a formal bibliography of all quoted resources. As a piece of writing, it is an academic work. Though not stated officially, it could easily have been offered as a Ph.D. dissertation. Though not designed for general reading, the book is not difficult reading. This reader, a semi-retired pastor, found the book interesting.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 1, 2020
One way I like to rate a book is by how much I have had to highlight. The pages are now glowing fluorescent green!
This book has deeply challenged how I think about Ministry. It has made me feel uncomfortable in places but has also caused me to think as to why?
It covers a broad spectrum of Christian thought and traditions and inspires you to critically think about your own traditions and understand others better.
It includes this definition of church that I absolutely love!
“The gospel, refers to the goodness of Jesus Christ and the salvation he has brought. This gospel, however, is not confined to a “message”. It exists in an embodied form in the practice of the local community... it refers to the living presence of the saving Lord that is the foundation of the community, the spirit of the risen Lord guiding that community (and) the prophetic spirit challenging the culture and the larger church.” The gospel does not arrive in a vacuum, as if it had fallen from the sky. It is always incarnated in the lives and in the communities of those who bring it to us. This is the church, a rich mixture of culture and presence in a local context.” Church is a complex of those cultural patterns in which the gospel has taken on flesh, at once enmeshed in the local situation, extending through communities in our own time and in the past, and reaching out to the eschatological realisation of the fullness of God’s reign.” P138
This book has deeply challenged how I think about Ministry. It has made me feel uncomfortable in places but has also caused me to think as to why?
It covers a broad spectrum of Christian thought and traditions and inspires you to critically think about your own traditions and understand others better.
It includes this definition of church that I absolutely love!
“The gospel, refers to the goodness of Jesus Christ and the salvation he has brought. This gospel, however, is not confined to a “message”. It exists in an embodied form in the practice of the local community... it refers to the living presence of the saving Lord that is the foundation of the community, the spirit of the risen Lord guiding that community (and) the prophetic spirit challenging the culture and the larger church.” The gospel does not arrive in a vacuum, as if it had fallen from the sky. It is always incarnated in the lives and in the communities of those who bring it to us. This is the church, a rich mixture of culture and presence in a local context.” Church is a complex of those cultural patterns in which the gospel has taken on flesh, at once enmeshed in the local situation, extending through communities in our own time and in the past, and reaching out to the eschatological realisation of the fullness of God’s reign.” P138
March 26, 2023
Book #2 of three books i am reading on practical theology in March. Ward, like some of the other practical theologians i am studying are concerned that practical theology just default into liberalism because the approach of this method can be overwhelmingly about experience. Rather, he argues for a theology of practice that helps to guide the work of this kind of theology. Swinton and Mowat in their book on this subject use an avowedly Barthian approach. These avowedly theological approaches do not threaten experience but rather reflect on it in light of Christian tradition, prayer, spiritual formation and other character forming elements of Christianity. This is not being abstract, it is just being honest. I grew up in evangelicalism so i better just own up to the fact that i come at this subject from a particular viewpoint. I liked Ward's use of Rowan Williams in the early going, who suggests we all start theology in a sort of messy middle. But that church life and experience are a huge part of this starting point.
December 31, 2019
What exactly is practical theology? If you ask a practical theologian this, you’ll get a variety of answers – somewhere between sociology of religion and the theology of the practice of the church, or the theology arising from the practice of the church. This accessible book seeks to answer that question and as Pete Ward is a Professor of Practical Theology at Durham University, he’s perfectly suited to give a good introduction to Practical Theology. Best suited for reflective practitioners in the church or theologians who want to root their thinking in the living breathing church community.
May 28, 2021
This is a fantastic resource for students interested in the academic discipline of practical theology. Peter Ward provides an overview of the complexities of the discipline and the many voices within it. This book also functions as a tutorial on how to do small-scale practical theology research projects in your own ministry setting. Overall, well worth the read.
October 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was effective at introducing many facets of arguments within the field of practical theology. Seems like a great book to get an overview on what many different traditions, cultures, and churches are talking about and utilizing within the field.
October 8, 2018
Great introduction to the field, written in a summary style. Ward also offers his own thoughts, particularly in regard to research and project methods.
January 1, 2020
Много добра книга. Заблежително е колко монго и качествена информация е събрал авторът в сравнително малък обем.
December 13, 2022
Brilliant book. Very accessible but also informative. Loved it. :-)
April 27, 2021
A very helpful introduction to the theory and methodologies of practical theology.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews