Soil, roots and shoots: the emergence of BIAPT

ABSTRACT

Celebrating twenty-five years since its foundation, this article traces the origins of the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology (BIAPT) from the emergence of Pastoral Studies in the sixties, through the annual Conference on Pastoral Studies, to the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology in 1994. Attention is also drawn to the importance of the journal Contact, the fore-runner of Practical Theology, in 2008, and the emergence of the Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology. It is suggested that the characteristics of BIAPT have been shaped by Lambourne’s (1971) opposition to the formation of a professional association in favour of a broader, inclusive, lay, adventuresome association. This informs the discussion of a number of perennial issues, such as the relation between academic and practitioner, professional and lay, and the nature of the theological enterprise, that have shaped and still confront BIAPT.

KEYWORDS:

• Pastoral Studies
• British and Irish Association for Practical Theology (BIAPT)
• Contact
• Practical Theology
• twentieth century British Church history

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Lyall

David Lyall is an Honorary President of BIAPT, and a former Senior Lecturer in Christian Ethics and Practical Theology, Edinburgh University, and Principal of New College. e-mail: [email protected].

Paul Ballard

Paul Ballard is an Honorary President of BIAPT, and Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University where he taught Practical Theology and Doctrine. e-mail: [email protected].