Practical Theology Unit

The Practical Theology unit invites presentation proposals for the following three sessions.  Please submit a proposal to the appropriate session call below.

 1) Honoring the Life and Work of Emmanuel Y. Lartey: Co-Sponsored Session with Psychology, Culture, and Religion unit

We are excited to announce a special session celebrating the transformative contributions of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Y. Lartey to pastoral theology, care, counseling, and practical theology. As the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Pastoral Theology and Spiritual Care at Emory University, Dr. Lartey has profoundly shaped global conversations on intercultural and postcolonial approaches to pastoral care, leaving an indelible mark on practical theology worldwide.

Dr. Lartey is widely recognized as a pioneer of postcolonial pastoral care, modeling respectful engagement across boundaries of race, gender, class, culture, and religion. His groundbreaking work, In Living Color: An Intercultural Approach to Pastoral Care and Counseling, has influenced the ideas of countless practitioners and scholars globally.

This session aims to honor Dr. Lartey’s legacy through a creative and interactive format, reflecting his commitment to dynamic engagement and intercultural dialogue. We invite proposals that celebrate his work in innovative ways, including:

· Interactive workshops or group activities inspired by his approaches.

· Creative presentations or performances highlighting his global impact.

· Collaborative dialogues exploring the future of pastoral theology in light of his contributions.

Co-sponsored by the Practical Theology Unit and Psychology, Culture, and Religion Unit, this session will not only be a tribute but also a space for participants to actively engage with the themes that have defined Dr. Lartey’s scholarship and ministry. Let’s come together to celebrate, reflect, and imagine the future of intercultural pastoral and spiritual care.

2) Transformative Teaching and Learning in Practical Theology: Creative Approaches, Global Conversations, and Contextual Practices

The Practical Theology Unit invites paper proposals for its upcoming session on Transformative Teaching and Learning in Practical Theology. This session seeks to foster a global dialogue exploring innovative pedagogical approaches, contextual applications, and interdisciplinary insights within the sub-fields of practical theology.

The session invites contributions addressing (but not limited to):

• Innovative and experimental teaching methods in practical theology.
• Pedagogical creativity across diverse cultural and socio-political contexts.
• Theoretical reflections on learning processes in practical theology.
• Case studies of creative approaches within specific sub-disciplines (e.g., homiletics, pastoral care, liturgical studies, religious education).
• Collaborative and participatory models of teaching and learning.

We especially encourage creative presentations that go beyond conventional formats to embody and showcase the theme of the session itself.

We look forward to receiving proposals that engage global perspectives and inspire transformative approaches to teaching and learning within practical theology.

3) Practical Theology in Politically Fraught Times

The landscape of politics in the U.S. and around the globe is fraught with anxiety, distress, and suffering.  We are witnessing unprecedented political tensions, deepening ideological polarization, rising authoritarianism (including Christian Nationalism), and erosion of democratic institutional norms. Competing narratives of truth, a proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, the marginalization of vulnerable communities, and geopolitical tensions further contribute to this anxiety. How might practical theology be done in these politically fraught times? How can practical theologians and practitioners respond meaningfully, critically, and compassionately to these global political challenges? What are the implications of these theologies and practices for conceptions and experiences of freedom (the 2025 AAR Theme)? 

The Practical Theology Unit regards practical theology – a discipline committed to bridging theological reflection and lived reality – uniquely positioned to offer critical insights and transformative practices to these important questions. Our committee is particularly interested in presentations ranging across various sub-disciplines of practical theology, (including homiletics, congregational studies, pastoral care, spirituality, etc.), as well as presentations discussing ongoing and completed research projects that bring insight to the interdisciplinary nexus of political and practical theology. We welcome papers from diverse theological traditions, methodological approaches, and global perspectives that explore epistemological, methodological, and theoretical implications for the study of practical theology in these politically fraught times. We also invite papers that engage with the substantial implications for religious and political community engagement and meaningful social transformation.

Some guiding questions:

Epistemological and methodological 

• How do our theological frameworks help or hinder our understanding of politics and political narratives?
• Which theological concepts can be used or developed to understand lived religious experiences in situations of political struggle?
• What research methods can we develop or employ to study the lived religious experiences of victims of political injustices, violence, and trauma?

Pastoral and ecclesiological

• What role can pastoral care play in dealing with violence and political trauma?
• How can our religious communities become spaces of dialogue and mutual understanding?

Transformational

• How can practical theology contribute to prophetic critiques of unjust political systems?