Tim Sensing

Practicing Theology in Eight-Part Harmony

Ministers function as resident practical theologians who act so that the community will continue its journey of becoming like Christ for the sake of the world. Dissecting that last sentence leads me to an aspirational eight-fold perichoretic paradigm for understanding the theological nature of ministry. Practical theology calls the minister to be a resident practical theologian (a pastor) who practices (1) practical theology as a communal activity–faith participating in the trinitarian nature of God in relation to others, (2) practical theology as a transformative activity–faith shaping identity into the image of God (theosis), (3) practical theology as a critical activity–faith seeking understanding in practice, (4) practical theology as a contextual activity–faith becoming the incarnation of God in time and space (kenosis), (5) practical theology as an experiential activity–faith influenced by the Spirit of God, (6) practical theology as a sacramental activity–faith mediating the presence of God, (7) practical theology as an eschatological activity–faith participating in the future now, and (8) practical theology as a public activity–faith expressing itself in the marketplace for the common good. And there it is. An eight-part harmony, eight threads of a tapestry, eight electrons, protons, and neutrons of an atom, all particular yet inseparable, undivided, and united to form the practice of ministry. Practicing theology is an invitation for the lived experience of persons of faith to enter the life of our God.

Tim Sensing