Research Reflections

Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh publishes Violent Trauma, Culture, and Power: An Interdisciplinary Study in Lived Religion
Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh (STH MDiv. '06, Practical Theology '14) on publishing Violent Trauma, Culture, and Power: An Interdisciplinary Study in Lived Religion. Rev. Dr. Walsh has worked for over 25 years in lay and professional urban ministry and social work and has directed two major mental health clinics. She currently is a Lecturer... More

Dr. Karelynne Gerber Ayayo on Thinking about Adoption: A Practical and Theological Handbook for Christians Discerning the Call to Parent by Adoption
We are excited to announce the publication of Dr. Karelynne Gerber Ayayo's (STH Practical Theology '03) recent monograph Thinking about Adoption: A Practical and Theological Handbook for Christians Discerning the Call to Parent by Adoption! Written with her husband Michael Ayayo, Thinking about Adoption offers biblical teaching and theological principles related to adoption, as well... More

Dr. Stephanie Arel publishes Affect Theory, Shame, and Christian Formation
We are excited to announce that Dr. Stephanie Arel (STH Practical Theology '14) has been named as an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow at The National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Visiting Scholar at New York University. Dr. Arel is the co-editor, along with Dr. Shelly Rambo, of Post-Traumatic Public Theology, and she... More

Catholic Approaches in Practical Theology: International and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, edited by Claire Wolfteich
The Center for Practical Theology is thrilled to share that Co-Director Dr. Claire Wolfteich has published, along with co-editor Annemie Dillen, Catholic Approaches in Practical Theology: International and Interdisciplinary Perspectives. Here is more from publisher Peeters-Levuen: "Practical theology is an established discipline in the theological curriculum at both Protestant and Catholic European... More

Part Two: Taking on the Paradigm at BU School of Theology – Lived “Symptoms” of Epistemology and Practice
In this blog series, STH Practical Theology doctoral students from the Fall 2016 Practical Theology Proseminar share insights from their final, collaborative project, "Taking on the Paradigm at BU School of Theology -- Lived “Symptoms” of Epistemology and Practice." Dan Hauge is the author of this second series post discussing some... More

Part One: Taking on the Paradigm at BU School of Theology – Lived “Symptoms” of Epistemology and Practice
In this blog series, STH Practical Theology doctoral students from the Fall 2016 Practical Theology Proseminar share insights from their final, collaborative project, "Taking on the Paradigm at BU School of Theology -- Lived “Symptoms” of Epistemology and Practice." Dan Hauge is the author of this first post introducing the project... More

Visiting Researcher Gail Cafferata shares new research in Pastoral Psychology
When a pastor faces closing a church, what are the toughest challenges? How do these challenges affect the pastor’s level of stress and well-being? Can respectful relationships within the congregation and with colleagues in a denomination’s middle administrative body (judicatory) buffer stress? How can the diverse ways individuals navigate these... More

“The Great Divide” by Brandon Crowley
Today we feature a sermon from Practical Theology doctoral candidate Rev. Brandon Crowley entitled "The Great Divide." Rev. Crowley delivered this sermon on Sunday, November 13, 2016, following the elections in the United States. Rev. Crowley is the Senior Pastor of The Myrtle Baptist Church of West Newton. .

“The Work of Justice-Making” by Xochitl Alvizo
"...I write in order to think – ver, pensar, actuar. With my hand on the plow, what is the action I am today called to make?" These are the concluding remarks from STH alumna Xochitl Alvizo in a 2015 blog post entitled "The Work of Justice-Making," published on feminismandreligion.com. With... More

Moral Monday National Day of Action in Boston: Student and Alumna Reflections
On September 12, 2016, hundreds of clergy and laity from many traditions marched from Boston Common to the Statehouse in the nationwide Moral Monday National Day of Action. In solidarity with gatherings at 25 state capitols throughout the country, participants sang, shared and listened to testimonies. They also lent their voices and... More