SPTSA 2025 Conference – Call for Papers now open!

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Herewith is the Call for Papers for our 2025 SPTSA conference to be hosted by North-West University in Potchefstroom from 21-23 January 2025.
The theme is “Practical Theology facing digital (AI and ChatGPT) revolutions in the age of homo-digitalis” and more details can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/hHx7AW7paFit9naA8
Please take note that the deadline for abstract submissions is 30th September 2024 so don’t delay in submitting your paper title and abstract.
Theme: Practical Theology facing digital (AI and ChatGPT) revolutions in the age of homo-digitalis.
Our everyday living, from banking to socialising, dating, religion and communication are mediated by technology. There is hardly an area of our lives that is not mediated by technology. The persistent presence of technology is shaping our identity, dreams, expectations and hopes for the future. Since the use of technology has become so entrenched in our daily lives, we seldom reflect critically on what it is doing to and in us. Moreover, we often view technology as tools we can use as we deem fit.
This instrumental view of technology, however, does not fit anymore, especially since the dawn of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The aim/vision to be upgraded as human beings and become one (singularity) with machines as postulated by trans– and posthumanism respectively, poses serious questions and challenges as to what it means to be human today. Similarly, the field of teaching and learning is confronted to rethink how to conduct, in particular, assessments since ChatGPT was introduced.
Together with the challenges produced by technology there are benefits and opportunities that cannot be denied or ignored. Consider how the health professions benefit from robots that with great precision assist in surgery. These technologies, however, are not value neutral but promote certain value systems that significantly affect our personal and communal lives. The speed at which technological innovation is taking place makes it almost impossible to foresee and predict the unintended consequences it may have. We invite participants to consider the following subthemes for reflection:
Sub-themes:
  1. Living in a digital age and faith communities being challenged by a digital culture.
  2. Embodiment, Medio-passivity and “Response”–ability of Practical Theology.
  3. Practical theological communicative practices in light of digital abundance and weblogs, for example.
  4. How Practical Theology relates to developing revolutions and enacting rituals and practices.
  5. Contextual engagement with the digital world (AI and ChatGPT) — participation or reactionism?
  6. Being church in an age of the homo-digitalis.
  7. The change in practical theological training considering digital revolutions.
  8. Will pastors and preachers be redundant in light of the digital revolution?
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION CLOSING DATE: Monday 30th September 2024
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CLOSING DATE: Thursday 31st October 2024
PAYMENT OF FULLY INCLUSIVE FEE OPTION: Wednesday 13th November 2024

International Conference of Pastoral Care

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The ICPCC conference, 3-6 July 2023 will be presented at the SportVillage, NWU, Potchefstroom. The theme for the conference is: Truth and Reconciliation: Pastoral Caregiving within processes of radical socio-political transformation, change and conflict. Registration is online at www.icpcc.net

Practical Wisdom on the Living Web of the Anthropocene

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The International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT) will have its bi-annual conference, under the title Practical Wisdom on the Living Web of the Anthropocene, from Wednesday June 7 to Sunday June 11 2023. The conference will be held in Seoul, Korea and organized by a local committee from Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Hoseo University, Busan Presbyterian University, and Kookmin University. Conference web page for information: https://www.ia-practicaltheology.org/conferences/2023-seoul/.

The Ninth Conference for Research in Diakonia and Christian Social Practice – Contested spaces of diakonia

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The Ninth Conference for Research in Diakonia and Christian Social Practice – Contested spaces of diakonia is taking place in Oslo, Norway from 31 May to 2 June 2023. More information is available at https://www.vid.no/en/events/the-ninth-conference-for-research-in-diaconia-and-christian-social-practice-contested-spaces-of-diaconia/

Position available at UFS

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Position Available: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/883

Job Title: Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Missional Studies: Department of Practical and Missional Theology (Job ID 5162)

Organizational Unit: University of the Free State -> Faculty of Theology and Religion -> Department Practical and Missional Theology

Contract Type: Permanent

Occupational Level: Junior Management

Location: Bloemfontein Campus – Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date: 21/4/2023

Professor Steve de Gruchy Memorial Lecture

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The School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics (SPRC) within the College of Humanities, in collaboration with the Cluster of Theological Institutions and the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), cordially invite you to the annual

PROFESSOR STEVE DE GRUCHY MEMORIAL LECTURE

Topic: Towards a Renewed Ecumenism – Lessons and Dreams from a Global South By:
Professor Edgardo Colon-Emeric (Dean of Duke Divinity School – USA)
The annual Steve de Gruchy Memorial Lecture honours the legacy of the late Professor, a renowned and well-respected academic, passionate about the University and his work, both as a teacher and ordained theologian.

Date: 16 March 2023

Time: 17h00 – 20h00
Venue: UKZN Student Union Building Pietermaritzburg (Main Campus)

RSVP HERE

For enquiries contact: Rakshika Sibran sibran@ukzn.ac.za

Postdoctoral fellowship. Man holding application forms.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Advertisement: Call For Applications

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A Postdoctoral fellowship is available at The Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society within the following subprogramme: Public Practical Theology and Civil Society. The postdoctoral fellow will be mentored by Prof Vhumani Magezi.

The Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society (URT) strives to make a theological-scientific contribution to important debates in South Africa.

Follow the link to our webpage:
https://theology.nwu.ac.za/unit-reformational-theology-and-development-sa-society

Objectives of the Postdoctoral fellowship program:

  • Participate fully in the research program of the subprogramme within our research unit.
  • Collaborate with other researchers working in the team, thereby stimulating new and original ideas within the team.
  • (Co)Supervise students working in the research field, in collaboration with an experienced Supervisor.
    Eligibility:
  • A doctoral degree, obtained within 5 years before the appointment as a postdoctoral fellow, is mandatory.
  • The candidate must have the intention to pursue a full-time academic career at a university.
  • The maximum age is 45.

Duration of the fellowship:
The fellowship is available for an initial period of 1 year. Renewal may be considered for up to 3 years
contingent upon available funding; satisfactory performance, as agreed with the fellowship mentor/ supervisor; and productive integration into the subprogramme.

Value of the fellowship:
R249,600.00/ annum (non-taxable)
R20,000.00/ annum will be made available for research-related running costs
R20,000.00 once-off relocation allowance

For all enquiries, and application forms, as well as the full NWU Guidelines for a Postdoctoral fellowship, please contact:

Elmien Scott – elmien.scott@nwu.ac.za

Closing date: 25 March 2023
Commencement date: As soon as possible.

International Handbook of Practical Theology

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About this book

Open Access

 

Practical theology has outgrown its traditional pastoral paradigm. The articles in this handbook recognize that faith, spirituality, and lived religion, within and beyond institutional communities, refer to realms of cultures, ritual practices, and symbolic orders, whose boundaries are not clearly defined and whose contents are shifting. The International Handbook of Practical Theology offers insightful transcultural conceptions of religion and religious matters gathered from various cultures and traditions of faith.

The first section presents ‘concepts of religion’. Chapters have to do with considerations of the conceptualizing of religion in the fields of ‘anthropology’, ‘community’, ‘family’, ‘institution’, ‘law’, ‘media’, and ‘politics’ among others. The second section is dedicated to case studies of ‘religious practices’ from the perspective of their actors. The third section presents major theoretical discourses that explore the globally significant diversity and multiplicity of religion.

Altogether, sixty-one authors from different parts of the world encourage a rethinking of religious practice in an expanded, transcultural, globalized, and postcolonial world.

 

Author information

  1. Weyel, University of Tübingen, W. Gräb, University of Berlin, E. Lartey, Emory University, Atlanta, C. Wepener, Stellenbosch.

Download PDF over here: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110618150/pdf

Download ePub over here: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110618150/epub

International Academy of Practical Theology – https://www.ia-practicaltheology.org/

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“The purpose of the International Academy of Practical Theology is the study of and critical reflection on practical theological thought and action. This critical reflection should be pursued with attention to the various historical and cultural contexts in which practical theology is done. Out of respect for the diversity of these contexts, the Academy seeks to promote international, interracial, and ecumenical dialogue and understanding.”

Section Practical Theology Process of Submission

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STJ, in partnership with the Society for Practical Theology in South Africa (SPTSA), is proud to host a new permanent section titled Practical Theology that will publish research associated with the SPTSA’s activities. The section will be edited by Prof. Anita Cloete and articles will be published on a rolling basis throughout the year.

To submit an article online, follow these steps:

  • Visit the STJ website
  • Login / register a new account
  • Click on submissions
  • Submit article under section Practical Theology

Please contact us at stj@sun.ac.za if you have any questions.