JUMPING THE BROOMSTICK: AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN PASTORAL THEOLOGICAL METHOD

Abstract

As a discipline, pastoral theology suffers from low self-esteem. For decades, practitioners and theologues have attempted defining the field in a myriad of ways that might elevate and position the discipline on par with other theological enterprises within the academy; however, our posture and self-image remain as that of an underachiever. Our identity is uncertain and our theological tasking is ambivalent. I attribute much of this dilemma to the hyperdiversity of theological method and the varied ways of defining the task of pastoral theology. inability to clearly self-define has also led to our own marginalization. As Homer Ashby, Jr. adds, live on the margin in the settings in which we preach. While diversity often encourages more creative and reflective thought processes and improvements in methodology, in pastoral theology, diversity seems entangled in a debate over legitimacy of praxis. This complicates the actual task of doing theology and leading the Church in developing clear and critical thinking regarding true kingdom issues, such as strengthening families, tackling poverty and homelessness, dealing with violence and abuse, and a host of ecological concerns. Emmanuel Lartey correctly asserts, The pluriformity and ambiguity of practical theology are at once its highest promise and its greatest pitfall. Positions of stature and prominence (in the academy) are earned through advances in human knowledge, not through debates of legitimacy. Hence, utilizing our diversity for developing employable methods of pastoral theology might better serve the Church than debating relevance and stature of practical theology in academic circles.