Call For Papers

Practical Theology Topic Session

Conversion may be best understood as an ongoing process or set of practices rather than as a blinding flash. As such, conversion has potent spiritual, psychological, and social dimensions. Contemporary theological scholarship has much to say about conversion, and practical theology offers a critical dimension. This particular theological discipline sees practice, including the practice of conversion, as simultaneously a product and a resource for theological work. Practical theology is grounded in the rigorous study of lived faith in specific contexts, including the practice of ministry and as well as broader explorations of praxis. It offers robust insights for the theological study of conversion and prompts important methodological conversations.

We invite papers that engage conversion in a practical theological framework. Such work might explore missiological and cultural aspects of conversion, specifically including contextual theologies or art and visual theology; specific social issues and ethical questions as grounds of conversion, including cases of engagement with questions of justice and liberative theologies; conversion in light of spiritual journeys and the sacramental imagination; ministerial formation and ecclesial practice; and discipleship and pedagogical dimensions, including religious education and formation. We assert that work in many theological disciplines has a practice-based component and urge those in a range of theological disciplines to submit proposals.

Our goal is to stimulate a conversation with classic thinking in practical theology at the level of methodology and theological production. The only requirements for paper proposals are that they engage an aspect of conversion open to experience and informed by practice.

Proposals are due by September 1. All proposals must include authors’ name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information together with a title and proposal of 200-500 words. The administrative team of the CTSA practical theology session includes Colleen Griffith, Brett Hoover, and Bryan Froehle, who will jointly review each submission. Please email all proposals to Bryan Froehle, froehleb@gmail.com, who will notify the author of each submission no later than September 21. All participants in the session must be CTSA members with paid-up dues by the time of the convention in June 2013. Members will ordinarily present in no more than one session at the convention. Each proposal must indicate in the submission if any audio-visual needs are anticipated.