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.
Introduction
Part 1: The Problem and Emerging Responses
1. The Problem of Talking about God in Practice
2. Practical Theology as a Response
3. Action Research as a Response
Part 2: A Fresh Response
4. Characteristics of Theological Action Research
Part 3: Theological Action Research: The Process Explained
5. What Is Theological Action Research?
6. Who Do We Need to Be to Do Theological Action Research?
7. Setting up Theological Action Research
8. Doing Theological Action Research
9. Reflection Leading to Renewed Practice and Theology
Part 4: Worked Examples of Theological Action Research
10. Theological Action Research in a Parish
11. Theological Action Research in a Diocese
12. Theological Action Research with a Faith-Based Agency
Part 5: Theological Action Research: An Initial Evaluation
13. Evaluating Theological Action Research: Learning Points in Theology and Method
Conclusions
