SPT Study Groups

1. The Church and Christian Formation Karen Scheib kscheib@emory.edu 404-727-2423 and Charles. J. Scalise 206-284-9000 cscalise@fuller.edu
   
   The Church and Christian Formation Study Group encourages research on the positive and negative impact of the church on Christian formation of diverse individuals and groups. Implicit in this work is a critical inquiry into the identity and mission of the church.  Sessions provide an opportunity for participants to present, hear, and discuss a wide range of contemporary and historical case studies and other works in progress on its theme.
   
   
2. Religious Practices and Pastoral Research Leonard Hummel 717-338-3000 lhummel@ltsg.edu and Mary Clark Moschella 203-432-5920 mary.moschella@yale.edu
   
   The Religious Practices and Pastoral Research Group offers colleagues a chance to hear or present recent work that may involve empirical research, ethnography, congregational studies or theoretical reflective topics related to pastoral research.
   
   
3. Embodiment Jennifer Baldwin 770-312-4637 jbaldwin@lstc.edu Christina Jones 713-819-6514 cajone2@emory.edu  and Don Rickard 303-359-8689 drickard@du.edu
   
   The group serves as a forum within which participants can present journal articles, book chapters, and other works in progress, receive collegial feedback, and engage in fruitful discussion related to the topic of embodiment, theory, practices and pedagogy.
   
   
4. Brain Sciences and Pastoral Theology David Hogue 847-866-3983 david.hogue@garrett.edu  Co-Chair – Open     
   
   The Brain Sciences and Pastoral Theology Study Group attempts to bring contemporary findings in the neurosciences into dialogue with pastoral theology and pastoral psychology.  Areas of interest include topics such as mind/brain relationship, biological processes underlying human suffering and healing, the relational brain, and theological anthropology.  Both formal presentations and emerging discussion have been centerpieces of earlier meetings.
   
   
5. Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Gregory Ellison 404-727-7291 gelli01@emory.edu and Kathleen Greider  909-447-2540 kgreider@cst.edu 
   
   This study group critically addresses the “changing face” of discourse in pastoral theology and its sensitivity to issues of inclusivity.  The content of these discussions include, but are not limited to, how issues of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and religious pluralism, impact the theory, practice and pedagogy of pastoral theology, care and counseling.  The convenors of this study group welcome presentations that explore topics relating communal-contextual aspects of inclusivity and pastoral theology.
   
   
6. Spirituality and/in Pastoral Practices Francesca Nuzzolese fnuzzole@eastern.edu and Duane Bidwell 909-447-2528 dbidwell@cst.edu
   
   This study group explores how spirituality informs (or not) the theory and praxis of care, critiques the way the language and practices of spirituality can be marginalized by overly clinical approaches to pastoral theology, and envisions ways to revitalize the field through the richness of spiritual resources.
   
   
7. Postcolonialism, Globalization, and Pastoral Care: Cedric Johnson (cjohnson@wesleyseminary.edu<> ) and Fulgence Nyengele
   (fnyengele@mtso.edu)
   
   
8. Theological Dimensions of Family Study Group (TDFSG): Penny L. Taylor (PennyLeeTalor@yahoo.com, 708-387-7986) and William G. “Bill” Ressl billressl@yahoo.com

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