The editors' wish is that this Dictionary of Practical Theology be a tool in the hands of pastors, missionaries, theology students, members of the Church council, leaders of activities and associations, committed Christians, who want not only to act but also to reflect on the why and how of what they do.
The book aims to propose a discussion of Christian practices that is rooted in biblical, theological and historical reflection, in dialogue with the human sciences when necessary and possible – or at least to move in this direction. This reflection will find an extension in the “how to do it”, because the authors of the articles are also practitioners, who are concerned with the concrete implementation of the conclusions to which the approach of practical theology leads.
Compared to existing manuals and other works, the Dictionary of Practical Theology stands out for three particularities:
- Taking into account the specific issues of evangelical Protestantism (fraternal communion, spiritual gifts, conversion, evangelization, growth of the Church, Church member, transcultural support, apologetics, to name just a few examples), without neglecting the major questions of Christian and especially Protestant practice (Protestant worship, public reading of the Bible, baptism, pastor, social action, Church council, chaplaincy, spiritual support, pastoral visit, couple and conjugality, interreligious dialogue, sects and sectarian deviations, etc.).
- The "dictionary" format, which allows a large part of the field to be covered in a single work, while distinguishing multiple specific subjects within the major areas of practical theology, namely ministries, pastoral accompaniment, worship and liturgy, mission and evangelization, formation, etc.
- Taking into account the “how to do it”, within the framework of a theological approach.
The 60 authors of the Dictionary of Practical Theology come from French-speaking countries (Europe, North America, the Antilles and Africa) and belong to various training institutions, church unions, associations and Christian missions. Among others: Dominique Angers (IBG, Switzerland), Alexandre Antoine (ADD, France), Katie Badie (UEEL, France), Henri Blocher (FLTE, France), Daniel Bourdanné (IFES-GBU, Chad – Great Britain), Jacques Buchhold (FLTE, France), Alain Combes (Aventures, France), Nicole Deheuvels (La Cause, France), Richard Gelin (FEEB, France), Daniel Hillion (SEL, France), Gérard Hoareau (Mission Vie et Famille, France), Lydia Jaeger (IBN, France), Michel Johner (FJC, France), Étienne Lhermenault (CNEF, France), Noël N'Guessan (FATEAC, Ivory Coast), Alain Nisus (FLTE, France), Maxime Pierre-Pierre (STEP, Haiti), Jean-Paul Rempp (CAEF, France), Claude Rochon (University of Montreal, Canada), Jean-Claude Thienpont (EPUB, Belgium), Anne Thöni (Salvation Army, France), Hannes Wiher (AME, Switzerland).
ISBN: 9782755001501