ABSTRACT
One of the most marked trends in contemporary practical theology is what may be termed a ‘turn to experience’ in the privileging of context, location, and lived experience as the crucible of all theological reflection. In the spirit of that approach, this chapter begins with the authors’ own contexts and commitments through the lenses of narrative and autobiography. Reflecting the diverse and pluriform nature of practical theological research itself, in approaches, outcomes and processes, the authors offer their individual and collective perspectives on the field of practical theological research. Beyond that, the chapter sets out more of the authors’ vision of the kind of practical theological research pursued in subsequent chapters, in terms of a set of seven key theses which characterise their approach.
