Talking About God in Practice: Theological Action Research and Practical Theology

Talking about God in Practice details the challenges and complexities of real theological conversations with practitioners, whilst providing an example of appropriate process, and a model of theological understanding by which to negotiate these complexities fruitfully. Drawing on, and adapting, action research methods, this process enables researchers with practitioners to access implicit theologies, embedded within practices. The disclosure of the theology borne by practice enables a fresh and often exciting insight for all concerned, which leads to renewal of both practice and theology. The Theological Action Research process offers effective and mutually constructive ways of engaging practitioners and academics in authentic research partnerships, contributing to the proper rootedness of theological scholarship, and to capacity building among practitioners for further, self-led research, reflection, and theologizing.

Dr Helen Cameron is Director of the Oxford Centre for Ecclesiology and Practical Theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon. Deborah Bhatti is a theologian and writer based in London. Catherine Duce is the ARCS Field Worker, based at Heythrop College, University of London. The Revd Dr James Sweeney is Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology and Head of Department of Pastoral & Social Studies, Heythrop College, University of London. Dr Clare Watkins is a theologian and writer, based in Cambridge.