Written by significant researchers and practitioners within the field, this collection of key texts introduces the reader to practical theology. It critically explores the way in which the spiritual dimension of pastoral care has entered into constructive dialogue with other disciplines and ways of thinking, including psychiatry, psychology, counselling, intercultural studies, educational methodology, narrative theory and political studies. Set within this multidisciplinary context, the individual contributions ( a selection of articles from a leading journal of pastoral theology, ''Contact: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Pastoral Studies'') cover a wide range of practical and theological issues that alert the reader to the spiritual dimension of pastoral care, such as bereavement, sexuality, ethics, learning disabilities, infertility, the meaning of pain, sickness and suffering and the nature of theology as a practical discipline. The book should be of interest to practitioners, researchers, students and all who have an interest in the ways in which a spiritual dimension can enhance caring practices within a multidisciplinary context.
Part 1 The emergence of practical theology: the future of practical theology, Robin Gill; pastoral theology -towards a new discipline, Anthony Dysson; can theology be practical? Paul Ballard. Part 2 Practical theology and the art of theological reflection: pastoral action and theological reflection, David Lyall; the case study method, Michael Northcott; the personality profile of Anglican clerymen, Leslie Francies, Raymond Rodger; practical theology as a theological form, Emmanuel Lartey. Part 3 Practical theology in critical dialogue: objections to a national pastoral institution, Robert Lambourne; religion and psychotherapy - friends or foes? Irene Bloomfield; pastors or counsellors? Alan Billings; where is the theology of British pastoral counselling? Gordon Lynch. Part 4 Practical theology and social action: a healthy society?, James Mathers; the politics of pastoral care, Alastair Campbell; personal care and political action, Michael Wilson. Part 5 Practical theology in search of practical wisdom: the pastoral care of the bereaved, Colin Murray Parkes; the helping personality, Hugh Eadie; pain, sickness and suffering, Kenneth Boyd; the theology of pastoral counselling, Frank Lake; therapy, counselling and pastoral care, Michael Jacobs, Bernanrd Mobbs. Part 6 New developments in practical theology: a vision of pastoral theology, Stephen Pattison, James Woodward; truth or dare? sexuality, liturgy and pastoral theology, Elaine Graham; do the Masai have a point? black sexual representation and pastoral care, Robert Beckford; friendship in community - creating a space for love, John Swinton; telling tales - the narrative dimension of pastoral care and counselling, Gordon Lynch, David Willow; should pastoral theology become post-modernist? Nigel Biggar; the challenge of creativity, David Aldridge; passion and pain -conceiving theology out of infertility, Heather Walton. Conclusion: the future of practical theology, David Willows, John Swinton.
