Breathing Life into Religion through Teaching, Research, and Writing: Building on the Contributions of Bonnie Miller-McLemore

The corpus of Bonnie Miller-McLemore’s writing makes invaluable contributions to the study of lived religion, practical theology, and theological education. She shines a bright light of critique on deep intractable problems, misdirection(s) of overlapping disciplines of study, and unavoidable conundrums at the intersection of theology and practice. As an undisputed leader among practical theologians for 30 years, Miller-McLemore constructed significant ideas about theological method, research, writing, teaching, and practicing faith. Her contributions, however, often appear in articles and books inaccessible to students and beginners. Participants in this round table will discuss how to translate Miller-McLemore’s critiques and concepts for our students who are learning to study religion, engage theology, take up writing, and practice ministry (broadly defined). Rather than continue the amnesia that keeps re-inventing important ideas, we aim to proliferate and popularize Miller-McLemore’s contributions, giving more people access to everyday approaches to the intersection of theology and practice.