Center for Practical Theology

The Center for Practical Theology seeks to prSpring View 09-1681-STHVIEWS-078ovide a bridge between the scholarly resources, questions, and insights of a university-based theological seminary and the wisdom, questions, and traditions of communities of faith.

In doing so, the Center provides an infrastructure for sustaining, deepening, and expanding important relationships and connections between Boston University School of Theology and local congregations, denominational offices, and religious centers so that they may be more integrally incorporated into student learning and faculty teaching and research. The Center was created in January 2005 with generous funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

A Forum of Leading Feminist Voices in Theology

October 22, 2009

In celebration of Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore’s scholarly work in the fields of feminist theology and practical theology, a panel discussion featuring leading women scholars in the Boston area theological schools is being sponsored by the Center for Practical Theology.  The topic is “Theology as a Living Discourse: The Future of Feminist Practical Theology.” Speakers include Shawn Copeland, Amy Hollywood, Mary Elizabeth Moore and Stephanie Paulsell.  The respondents are Susan Abraham, Donna Freitas, Renee Harrison, and Shelly Rambo.  This presentation can be viewed online at BUniverse.

Annual Lecture: “Toward an Interreligious Practical  Theology”

September 23, 2009

memoore

The Center for Practical Theology at Boston University hosted its second annual dinner and lecture. Mary Elizabeth Moore, dean of the School of Theology and a professor of theology and education, spoke on the topic Toward an Interreligious Practical Theology, how practical theologians address and engage the issue and contexts of religious pluralism. Practical theologians have been slow to address interreligious issues, but now is the time for them to take charge of these concerns, she says. They need to look at different religions and religious practices, especially the clashing of religions, and examine how interreligious relationships work. Stating that religious issues often cause dissension between groups and wars between countries around the world, she argues that the future of the world depends on learning to share our deepest religious passions and that practical theologians have an important role in bringing about this sharing and understanding.

To contribute to understanding between religions, she says, practical theologians should study the complexity of lived religions, the interconnection of religious communities and their practices in local and global contexts, the histories and shared histories of religions, and the dynamic process of religious life. Practical theology, she says, must become an agent of interreligious meeting.

To listen and view the entire presentation, click here.

PUB CHURCH

Since 1998, Boston University School of Theology and the Center for Practical Theology have been supporting the research and development of new congregations, primarily in the New England area. The Pub Church is one such congregation.

The Pub Church had their first “official” gathering on April 26, 2008, at Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub in Harvard Square. The start of The Pub Church was preceded by a six month period of planning and discernment with a small group of interested persons. As the congregation rotated among different Boston-area pubs, they realized they wanted to have just one place as their pub church home – that place is the Dugout Cafe where the pub church has been gathering weekly since September, 2008.

People’s desire to have a church they felt good about participating in, unlike other churches they had experienced, was the inspiration behind the pub church. It started with the simple vision of “participating with Spirit.” The discernment of what that means and what that looks like is an ongoing process to which all pub church participants contribute.

To watch a video about the Pub Church, click here.

FOCUS on Practical Theology

Wednesday, 24 December 2008 10:16

FOCUS, Boston University School of Theology’s alumni publication, included a special section on Practical Theology in its most recent edition (pages 15-30).  The co-directors of the Center for Practical Theology (Dale Andrews, Bryan Stone, and Claire Wolfteich) wrote on the role practical theology plays in relating university and community. “Cultivating Holy Friendships” was the focus of an article about the recently published study Sabbath in the City by Stone and Wolfteich. Spiritual renewal in the life of students was the topic of an article written by Susan Forshey and Claire Wolfteich. And Xochitl Alvizo, a doctoral student in practical theology, shared her personal journey to ministry.  To view these articles in their entirety along with the complete edition of FOCUS, click here.

Bostonia article features urban pastors

Thursday, 16 October 2008 16:12

cityofgod

A new article in the Bostonia magazine, entitled “City of God,” features the Center’s new efforts to establish urban teaching sites for the School of Theology, building on the Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence program of recent years. The article features STH alum Rev. Tiffany Steinwert of Cambridge Welcoming Ministries as well as Rev. Kathy McAdams of Common Cathedral and Rev. Karen Fritz of Brighton Allston Congregational Church, two of the SUPE program’s partners. Click here to read the article in its entirety.

PhD in Practical Theology Approved

Saturday, 06 December 2008 10:27
On December 3, Boston University approved the School of Theology’s proposal to convert the ThD in Practical Theology into a PhD in Practical Theology. Admissions into the new program will begin in the fall of 2009. Concentrations will include: homiletics, liturgical studies, mission and/or evangelism, pastoral theology, spirituality, church and society, and congregational studies.

Sabbath in the City: Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence

Saturday, 20 September 2008 16:30

sabbath-in-the-cityFrom 2003-2007, the Center for Practical Theology offered urban pastors across the nation an opportunity to sustain excellent ministry by strengthening practices of spiritual renewal, urban study and reflection, and peer community through the Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence project. 96 pastors participated in the program over the five years, and the impact of the SUPE Project has been substantial. The project was designed both as a program of support to the pastors and as a research project, which sought answers to two primary questions: what constitutes pastoral excellence in the urban context, and what sustains it? Dr. Bryan Stone and Dr. Claire Wolfteich have together written a book summarizing the results of the project, and the book will be out in October 2008 entitled Sabbath in the City: Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press). To read more about the project, click here.