The True Practical Theologian: Engaging with the Realities of People

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The True Practical Theologian: Engaging with the Realities of People

Allow me to introduce a term I’ve coined to describe the necessity of truly listening to people before preaching or counseling: the "practical theologian." We understand that a theologian is not just someone who studies theology, but someone who actively engages with theological ideas. Similarly, could we not envision a "practical theologian" as someone who embodies this engagement by deeply understanding and connecting with the people they serve, much like a theologian who “smells like sheep,” as one preacher put it. Is it too much to say that listening to people is crucial for effective counseling and crafting messages that resonate in today’s world?

Consider the stark contrast between the idealized family dynamics portrayed in media and the real-life struggles faced by the majority of church members. A skilled counselor and preacher must grasp the everyday realities of their congregants— their victories, struggles, dreams, work, frustrations, and yes, their defeats and sins. The reality of those attending our services is often far from the polished image of well-dressed individuals carrying Bibles and exchanging smiles and hugs. It includes challenges like a young couple’s communication breakdown, a wife feeling her husband falls short compared to her father, or parents watching their teenage child drift away from family and faith.

A truly effective counselor and preacher must address the loneliness of a family with an absent father, offer hope and healing to those whose lives have been shattered by injustice, and support people whose souls are wounded from long-standing emotional pain. If our theology is robust enough to make us aware of these profound realities and guide us to be present with the suffering individuals who come seeking comfort and solutions each week—if our theology reveals something deeper than mere psychotherapeutic techniques or simplistic remedies like "pray and fast to fix everything"—

Then you, indeed, are a genuine practical theologian.

José Bini

Mentee at One-on-One Mentoring program

Lead by the Name