Chair of Practical Theology

Discover Practical Theology

Practical Theology explores religious practice and experience – observing it, reflecting on it, and shaping it in dialogue with today’s world. In the German-speaking tradition, the field is structured into eight core areas: preaching (Homiletics), worship and church rites (Liturgics and Occasional Services), pastoral and spiritual care (Poimenics and Spiritual Care), social action (Diaconics), congregational life and church development (Church Theory), and leadership in both ordained and voluntary ministry (Cybernetics and Pastoral Theology).

While these areas have their roots in church life, Practical Theology today reaches far beyond institutional boundaries. It explores emerging forms of spirituality, individual expressions of faith, and the many ways in which religion interacts with everyday life. This work happens in dialogue with sociology, psychology, religious studies, cultural theory, and ecological thought – including perspectives that embrace the more-than-human world.

For students, Practical Theology means not only studying these topics in theory but also gaining hands-on experience – for example, in workshops on preaching and other core practices.