An investigation into practical theology as a dynamic process in the work of the external consultant, and in the development of the missional congregation

This thesis seeks to establish a model for practical theology originating out of my role as mission adviser within the Church of Scotland. The initial intention was to examine the specific tools used in local church consultancy to see if they had any theological basis, or were only management tools applied to the life of the church. This developed into a specific model of practical theology, but its approach still satisfies the original idea, of forming a theological basis for consultancy. The methodology is by literature review, qualitative research and personal experience, with the thesis divided into three sections. The first looks at the context of consultancy, beginning with an examination of a theological framework in which consultancy takes place, followed by its theological and cultural contexts. The 'internal' context is the place of the church as viewed by society and understood theologically, as exilic yet not marginalised. The second is 'external', and describes the culture of postmodernity. For the church to re-engage with its context, a model of liminality is explored. The second section describes the model for consultancy. This is examined in three parts; the dynamic in the shape of a spiral, the method based on the interaction of personal, community and scripture narratives, and the form as story. The basis of intervention by the consultant is scripture, with story and not textual analysis as its raw materials. The final section looks at the process of consultancy, by comparing various management approaches, along with a piece of qualitative research looking at the theology, context, determining factors and practice of consultancy