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Department of Practical and Missional Theology

Preparing Leaders for Church and Society

The Department of Practical and Missional Theology equips students for thoughtful leadership, faithful ministry and meaningful engagement with communities. Through teaching, research and community partnership, the department prepares graduates to serve churches and society with theological depth, practical wisdom and contextual awareness.

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Department Practical and Missional Theology
Disciplines Practical Theology and Missional Theology
Postgraduate BTh Honours and Master's study
Campus Bloemfontein
About the department

Theology that engages church and society

The department brings together the disciplines of Practical Theology and Missional Theology. Both disciplines are grounded in academic excellence while responding to the realities facing churches, communities and society in South Africa, across Africa and globally.

Academic disciplines

Practical Theology and Missional Theology

Practical Theology

Practical Theology explores how Christian faith is lived, interpreted and expressed within changing social contexts. Students develop theological insight alongside practical ministry skills through reflection, community engagement and interdisciplinary learning.

The discipline cultivates spiritually mature leaders with strong theological foundations, contextual sensitivity and the ability to contribute meaningfully to faith communities and wider society.

Missional Theology

Missional Theology examines the mission of God and the role of the church in participating in that mission. Students engage critically with biblical foundations, mission history and contemporary global realities.

The discipline encourages dialogue across cultures and religions while addressing justice, reconciliation, development and the public witness of the church in today's world.

Why study here

Develop theological knowledge for real-world practice

  • Develop theological knowledge grounded in real-world practice.
  • Prepare for leadership in churches and faith-based organisations.
  • Engage communities through contextual ministry.
  • Explore mission from African and global perspectives.
  • Build pastoral, leadership and communication skills.
  • Participate in impactful research and community engagement.
  • Progress to honours, master's and doctoral studies.
Areas of study

Explore diverse fields of theological practice

Students gain expertise across diverse fields that support ministry, leadership, research and community transformation.

Practical Theology

The discipline integrates theological reflection with practical ministry and leadership.

  • Pastoral Care
  • Homiletics and Liturgy
  • Faith Formation
  • Congregational Studies
  • Leadership Development
  • Spirituality
  • Community Engagement

Missional Theology

Students explore the church's mission within diverse cultural, social and global contexts.

  • Theology of Mission
  • Missio Dei
  • Biblical Foundations of Mission
  • Mission History
  • Interreligious Dialogue
  • Global Christianity
  • Contemporary Missional Challenges
Postgraduate studies

Bachelor of Theology Honours

The Faculty of Theology and Religion offers a Bachelor of Theology Honours degree with specialisation in Practical and Missional Theology. The qualification consolidates and expands expertise in a particular theological discipline while developing research capacity and intellectual independence.

BTh Honours with specialisation in Practical and Missional Theology

The programme provides postgraduate specialisation within Practical and Missional Theology and includes supervised research.

Academic plan code BC960234
Full-time One year
Part-time Two years
Current programme information

Admission requirements, programme structures and module information should be checked against the current Faculty Rulebook and postgraduate information before applying.

Graduate outcomes

Prepare for meaningful leadership and service

Whether your calling is ministry, pastoral care, community development, leadership, research or missional engagement, the Department of Practical and Missional Theology offers an academically rigorous environment that equips graduates to serve with wisdom, integrity and purpose in churches, organisations and communities around the world.

Next step

Take the next step in your theological studies

Explore the Faculty's postgraduate offerings, consult the current Rulebook and submit your application through the University of the Free State.

Apply to UFS View Postgraduate Studies

FACULTY CONTACT

Academic Adviser
T: +27 51 401 2786
E: theology@ufs.ac.za

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