Helen Cameron

This book proposes to bring together three elements for the benefit of those researching practice in ministry and mission: • how to design research that enables questions about practice to be answered in a theological framework. • how to address the methodological and epistemological issues that arise in relating empirical research to theology. • how to manage a piece of research as a project alongside other responsibilities. Students in PT mostly rely on research methods books written for social science students which tend to assume that the student is young and full-time. This book will act as a companion to student and supervisor needing to bring all three elements listed above together.

This book is aimed at those training for ministry, those in ministry and lay people wishing to reflect upon their work. It seeks to enable those in pastoral ministry to reflect upon their institutional encounters and to enable lay people who work in institutions as professionals or managers to reflect upon their pastoral encounters. By generating shared encounters of theological reflection between these two groups the authors identify points of solidarity and tension between them. The book seeks to address the commonly voiced concern that clergy and laity talk past each other and don't engage on the issues that they find perplexing. Readers of the book will gain an increased confidence in reflecting upon their own practice and engaging with others in theological reflection.

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.

There is a lively debate about the mission of the local church and an interest in doing new things or doing things differently. However, when church leaders start to work out the implications of change, they immediately come across real issues such as the time, money and buildings needed and how to make decisions that will change things, yet keep most people on board. "Resourcing Mission" offers the missing link between missiological thinking and the practical theological thinking about the task of mobilising local churches. Helen Cameron discusses questions such as the use of available time and money, different models of income, different models of leadership, the use of buildings, changing patterns of risk and regulation and approaches to decision making. "Resourcing Mission" shows how practical theology and mission and ministry need to work together and draw on each other's resources to strengthen the work of the church.

Effective interviewing skills are crucial for those working within the human service industries. This book outlines essential advice and strategies, and offers helpful learning aids, thus providing developing professionals throughout counselling, social work and psychotherapy with a valuable resource for conducting a successful interview.

This practical handbook - aimed at final year undergraduates, Masters-level students, student ministers, church leaders and policy makers interested in local faith communities - guides readers through the various tools, methods of analysis and research skills needed for studying local churches. This resource takes full account of the UK context and is an ideal basis for students undertaking research projects and dissertations. After an historical overview. the handbook identifies theoretical foundations for the study of local churches, drawing on the 4 disciplines of anthropology, sociology, organisational studies and theology. Guidance is provided on both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Research processes covered include such issues as selecting a church, gaining access, selecting methods,analysing data, maintaining confidentiality, research reflexivity, and completing the final report. There is also a critical review of existing literature, as well as case studies and worked examples, demonstrating how key concepts from the 4 disciplines apply to actual local churches. The handbook contains a wide range of contributors with extensive theoretical and practical experience of studying local churches.