In early February 2018, the Department of Practical Theology in the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria teamed up with a delegation from the Research Programme on Religious Communities and Sustainable Development (www.rcsd.hu-berlin.de) at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, for a seminar centred on the issue of ‘Methods and Theories of Practical Theology – Applications to African Contexts and Developmental Issues’.

The event, which stretched over several days, took place in the Theology building on the Hatfield Campus of the University of Pretoria, drawing in scholars from across two continents, and serving as a space not only to discuss methodologies and theories, but also to give postgraduate students a forum to present and critically discuss their research.

Part of a long-term collaboration between these two institutions, this gathering together of experts in the field further strengthened their relationship, while also expanding the impact thereof, in so far as emerging scholars from South Africa were able to engage in the discussion, while also making significant contributions of their own.

Under the leadership of Prof Cas Wepener, Practical Theology has remained the largest department in the Faculty of Theology and Religion and has the most postgraduate students.  Master's and doctoral studies can be undertaken in fields such as pastoral counselling, pastoral psychology, homiletics, liturgical and ritual studies, youth ministry and faith formation.

With a strong and diverse team, including world renowned scholars such Prof Yolanda Dreyer, Prof Johann Meylahn, Prof Maake Masango and Prof Malan Nel, Practical Theology at the University of Pretoria was ideally positioned to partner with Prof Wilhelm Gräb and Prof Ruth Conrad, as well as organisers Marie-Luise Frost and Philipp Öhlmann from Humboldt University, thus making the seminar a resounding success.