Workshop 5: How To Formulate, Initiate And Stimulate Research In Homiletics?

"How To Formulate, Initiate And Stimulate Research In Homiletics?"

In this workshop we will deal with the possibilities of doing research in the discipline of Homiletics. It is not so easy to formulate an adequate research question. On the one hand the question must be formulated in a homiletical framework and on the other hand it must be relevant for the practice of preaching. But what is a homiletical framework or theory? It has an intradisciplinary structure. It has for example a theological and a rhetorical dimension. After an introduction by Dr Immink, we will discuss a few PhD projects. Dr Immink will introduce a project and participants can bring in their own proposals. During the workshop we will discuss the research questions, the methods, the theological and rhetorical dimensions of the proposals. Also questions concerning the relation between the theory and the practice of preaching, empirical research, tutorial coaching and institutional support will receive attention.

 

Presenters:  Prof Gerrit Immink, Netherlands & Prof Albrecht Groezinger, Switzerland

Prof Gerrit Immink (1951) is a Professor of Practical Theology at Utrecht University in The Netherlands. He teaches Homiletics, Liturgy and Fundamental Practical Theology. He has written several articles on liturgy and homiletics, most of them in Dutch. He just finished a book on fundamental practical theology: "In God geloven. Een praktisch-theologische reconstructie" (Belief in God. A Practical-Theological Reconstruction). It was published in Dutch in Spring 2003. He wrote his PhD thesis in Philosophy of Religion: 'Divine Simplicity' (1987).

Prof Albrecht Groezinger is the President of Societas Homiletica. He was Professor of Practical Theology at the Universities of Mainz and Heidelberg (Germany) from 1986-1993, Professor for Practical Theology at the Theological Seminary in Wuppertal (Germany) from 1993-1997 and has been Professor for Practical Theology at the University of Basel (Switzerland) since 1997. His publications include "Friedrich Naumann as Preacher" (1978), "Practical Theology and Aesthetics" (1987), "The Human Language" (1991), "Pastoral Care and Multiculturalism" (1994), "Church and Globalization" (2002) and most recently "Preaching in a Pluralistic Context" (2004).