The church exists in the world, and our ministry is inextricably social in nature. Practical theology takes this seriously and asks us to reflect on our practice of ministry in both church and society. This book attends to our practice as individuals in ministry, to our corporate practice as congregations in ministry, and to our practice as Christians within the wider social and natural world. Practical Theology in Church and Society brings into sharper focus two perspectives on practical theology. One is the view through the wide-angle lens of justice-oriented action, which hopes for liberation. This view encompasses a broad vista of social forces for justice and injustice when evaluating local movements and local ministries. The other perspective takes the narrower focus of the action-reflection model as it is used to zoom in on individual actions and particular practices of ministry such as pastoral care. The purpose of the book is to integrate these two perspectives on practical theology. It explicates a cyclical method for doing theology that has corollaries within the disciplines of practical theology, liberation theology, missiology, congregation studies, and ministerial leadership. The volume provides resources for developing more socially and ecologically engaged ministries, and it draws implications for ministerial education.
Joseph E. Bush Jr. is the Director of Practice in Ministry and Mission at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He previously taught at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, the Presbyterian School of Ministry in New Zealand, and the ecumenical Pacific Theological College in the Republic of Fiji. He is ordained to Word and Sacrament in the United Methodist Church and has served churches in the United States, New Zealand, and Fiji.
"Could there be anything more practical than having a method for reflective practice that takes the dialectical interplay of faith, theory, and social context seriously so we may live out our calling and minister with integrity and effectiveness? Joseph E. Bush Jr. has articulated such a method and, again, has kept us indebted by producing another significant work in practical theology. It's my privilege to welcome it!"
--Eleazar S. Fernandez, Professor of Constructive Theology, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
"Dr. Bush draws upon a wealth of material in ethics, sociology, and practical theology, in addition to his own experience teaching in multiple contexts, to present a text for ministry education that is both scholarly and practical. And having worked with Dr. Bush at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, I know personally that this is not only an intellectual matter for him, but also one of true pastoral concern."
--Sharon Tan, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
"No matter how new or how seasoned we may be in ministry, Bush reminds us that we are always in a position of liminal leadership, straddling boundaries between church and society, God and person, reflection and practice, and belief and action. His action-reflection model of praxis reminds us to never lose sight of hallowed ground on which we stand, and in doing so, to help us better serve our churches, our communities, and the Reign of God."
--Sam Marullo, Director, Missional Church Program, Wesley Theological Seminary; Director of Research, Institute for Community Engagement, Wesley Theological Seminary; Coauthor of Community Based Research in Higher Education
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