Quest for African practical theology: lived religion, social transformation and public aspiration as organising centres

Abstract

This article considers the notion of lived religion conceived from African religious practices and experience, social transformation, and public practical theology as practical theology praxis. These elements are influenced by the contextual understanding of religion as a shared communal phenomenon, post-colonial conversations and pressing social, economic, governance, and economic challenges, among other things. The elements and context are located within the global practical theology conversations. The article aims to answer the question: what are some aspects that can be discerned to constitute a practical theology organising centre in Africa? The article describes the practical theology emphasis on context followed by Africa's specific contextual aspects, and then suggests some practical theology organising centre elements.