MA Pastoral Theology

Programme Convenor: Dr James Sweeney

Link to Programme Specification

Brief Description of Programme

The special quality of the MA Pastoral Theology is in integrating theory and practice, theology and experience, faith and action. For those already in the thick of practical pastoral work, it presents a framework for reading and study to bring those elements together. The MA is suitable for those in, or preparing for, ministry in the Christian churches, whether ordained or not. It is also relevant for teachers, counsellors, therapists, health care professionals or those in the legal profession.

The MA aims to promote reflection on the relationships between faith, humanity, experience, practice, professional and working life, church, culture, social context and theology, taking account of different traditions. Through honing skills of analysis and reflection, it aims to develop your capacity for ongoing systematic theological reflection on experience, pastoral ministry and the specific situations of your life and work.

Several of the academic staff contribute their expertise to an introductory foundation module, which includes a guidance session on essay writing. You then have an opportunity to choose from a varied range of options. By way of example, Sociology of religion, considers what kind of religion is emerging from the mists of the post-modern, and how it relates to Christian theology. This module approaches such issues with a bias less to questions of the decline and fragmentation of religious practice as to emerging, if fragile, 'plausibility structures' facilitating belief. Other options include evangelisation the Theology of Religious Life which covers issues such as vocation, models of community, interior life & prayer, psychological aspects, issues in community life. It is an example of a module likely to bring you in contact with students on several other MA courses and informed by the new Religious Life Institute