Focus:
Practical Theology is the youngest sibling in the broader field of Theology. Historically, it was clerically focused and mostly concerned about equipping pastors for ministerial practice. Through the years, it widened its scope to examine how religious beliefs and theological principles are embodied in the actual practices, experiences, and daily lives of faith communities. As an action science, it investigates the dynamic relationship between theory and practice, focusing on how religious communities live out their faith through rituals, social engagement, education, pastoral care, and other concrete expressions. Practical theology seeks not only to understand these lived religious experiences but also to improve religious praxis through critical reflection. It spans the sub-disciplines of pastoral care, homiletics, liturgy, youth, child, and family ministry, as well as public practical theology.
Objectives:
To provide contemporary practical-theological perspectives aimed at the development of the church and society in the South African and African context in a Reformed approach.
Subprogramme leader:
You are also welcome to contact the sub-programme leader, Prof Alfred Brunsdon:
- E-mail: alfred.brunsdon@nwu.ac.za
- Tel: +27 18 289 2666
Members of subprogramme:
The sub-programme currently consists of 7 full-time academics across the three campuses, representing a wide variety of academic foci within the field of practical theology and opportunities for students who consider further studies. Post-graduate supervision is not campus-bound, and you can study with academics on any of the three campuses.
Please view the short biographies of our team to learn more about their respective research foci and consider reaching out to those with whom you share an academic interest to start a conversation.
Prof Alfred Brunsdon
Prof Brunsdon’s research focus includes the contextualization of Practical Theology and pastoral care in the African context. He also has a keen interest in Theological Higher Education in the African and global context in light of the decolonisation discourse and recent developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Some of his latest publications started to explore the fields of eco-practical theology and pastoral care against the background of the Anthropocene.
He currently serves as Faculty Coordinator for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Theology. Prof Brunsdon is a National Research Foundation (NRF) C2-rated researcher and has published extensively in academic journals and book format since 2003.
Prof Brunsdon invites students with an interest in any of the above fields to apply for Masters- and Doctoral supervision.
For a complete list of his research outputs, kindly visit https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ar-Brunsdon?ev=hdr_xprf
Email: alfred.brunsdon@nwu.ac.za
Prof Amanda du Plessis
Prof du Plessis’s research focus includes the contextualization of Practical Theology and pastoral care and counselling in the African context with an emphasis on inner healing, prayer and expressive therapy. Her publications explore contextual pastoral education where the university classroom becomes a hermeneutical community for the contextualization of pastoral care in South Africa. She has published extensively in academic journals and book format since 2012.
She currently serves as Director for the School of Christian Ministry and Leadership. Although, the School previously practiced the science of Theology from a Reformational foundation, she acknowledges the diversity of theological and religious views and convictions in South Africa and the rest of the world.
Prof Amanda du Plessis invites students with an interest in contextual pastoral care and counselling to apply for Masters- and Doctoral supervision.
For a complete list of her research outputs, kindly visit
- Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amanda-Du-Plessis-2?ev=hdr_xprf
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-du-plessis-09a5bb304/
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=VzzobmQAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Email: amanda.duplessis@nwu.ac.za
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Prof Fazel Freeks
Prof Freeks’ research focus encompasses the well-being of families in society, addressing related concepts such as fatherhood, motherhood, paternal absence, gender-based violence (GBV), and family structures within the South African context. His research focus and interest involve the concept of the pastorate, particularly in relation to pastoral care. Additional important research interests include values and character education, as well as community engagement.
He is presently the Coordinator of Community Engagement in the Faculty of Theology. Prof. Freeks has made significant contributions through numerous publications in esteemed, recognised, peer-reviewed academic journals, both nationally and internationally, from 2009 to the present.
Prof. Freeks welcomes all students who have an interest and passion in any of the aforementioned fields, to apply for Master's and Doctoral supervision.
For a complete list of his research outputs, please visit the following platforms:
- Research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fazel-Freeks?ev=hdr_xprf
- Academia: https://independent.academia.edu/FFreeks
- Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=AgQ-D-4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
Email: fazel.freeks@nwu.ac.za
Prof Hannelie Yates
Dr Yates’ research focus is on the broad field of child, youth and family ministry. In recent years, she has been involved in research projects that focus on the position and voice of children and youth within faith communities and civil society. Her most recent research interest relates to nurturing spirituality as a critical element in the holistic well-being of children and their households.
Dr Yates is the chairperson of Child Theology Africa and a Godly Play - South Africa (International | South Africa) board member and storyteller.
Students with an interest in the above fields are invited to apply for Master's and Doctoral supervision.
For a complete list of Dr Yates’ research outputs, kindly visit https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=g2fxP7oAAAAJ&hl=en
Email: hannelie.yates@nwu.ac.za
Prof Rudy Denton
Prof. Denton’s research focus includes pastoral care and missiology, with a particular emphasis on forgiveness and social justice. His research responsibilities include supervising Masters- and Doctoral students. He has published several articles in accredited journals, presented academic papers at local and international conferences and contributed to chapters in collective works.
Prof Denton invites students with an interest in any of the above research fields to apply for Masters- and Doctoral supervision.
For a complete list of his research outputs, kindly visit https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eBYc7tUAAAAJ&hl=en
Email: rudy.denton@nwu.ac.za
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Book Projects:
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Guidelines for postgraduate studies for admission:
Before applying for post-graduate studies, consider these helpful guidelines:
- Identify a specific focus in the field of practical theology that aligns with one of our academic foci, for example, pastoral care, homiletics, liturgy, or youth and family ministry.
- Prepare a research motivation using the guidelines provided to demonstrate that you have an active interest in a particular field based on identifying a topic by engaging literature. Click here for a template.
- Make a proper assessment of your available time and genuine interest in post-graduate studies, as it is a tedious task and is bound by timelines that must be adhered to complete studies in the allowed time.
- Peruse the faculty’s websites to learn more about financial and supervisory support and take note of the obligations of students who fail to adhere to timelines (e.g., reimbursement of bursaries to the faculty).
- Read as many completed studies as possible in your field of interest to get a good idea of what the outcomes of post-graduate studies entail.