Vorwort – u. a. aus Anlass des 25-jährigen Bestehens dieser Zeitschrift

Editorial on the Occasion of the 25th Anniversary of This Journal

In the spring of 2022, academic research and teaching worldwide, including Practical Theology, continues to be conducted under the conditions of the CoViD-19 pandemic. Compared to the early days of this pandemic, which were characterized on the one hand by the concern for protection against infection (and by hasty testing of remedies like social distancing, wearing masks, and ventilation) and on the other hand by a somewhat surprising yet interesting switch to online formats, there have now been significant and revealing shifts in the discussion on the pandemic, three of which I would like to mention.

Firstly, a fundamental distinction has become significant, i. e. the one between summer and winter (coupled with a distinction between north and south rather than west and non-west): While the southern hemisphere is soon going to move toward a resurgence of the pandemic as summer comes to an end, the northern hemisphere is currently longing for summer and declining infection numbers. Later in the year, it will probably be the other way around again).

Secondly, the socio-economic context of life determines in large part how well one can protect oneself against infection or serious illness: While countries with a high gross domestic product are already offering their citizens a fourth vaccination (and only in the countries is the privilege of a possible vaccination met with rejection and resistance of a few, but quite eloquent people), the overwhelming majority of people in poor countries still lack any opportunity to receive a (first) vaccination, let alone intensive medical treatment.

Thirdly, in more and more countries, the pandemic and the fight against it are becoming a political shibboleth: While some people appeal to the public spirit of civil society and declare vaccination and compliance with various protective measures to be indispensable, others use the state’s health measures as an opportunity to vent pent-up aggression against this supposed deprivation of freedom by the state and against the alleged ‘dictatorship’ of science (virology, epidemiology). The one world seems to be split into two along each of these three lines.

Meanwhile, the numbers of the pandemic have shifted again clearly since April 2021. More precisely, they have doubled and/or tripled. In the midst of May 2022, the Coronavirus Resource Center of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA) reported roughly 525 million infected humans world-wide and roughly 6.5 million deaths „in connection with the Corona virus“ (as is the common parlance in Germany). One of the research articles in this issue, written by Danielle Tumminio Hansen, Candler School of Theology, Atlanta/GA, USA, addresses the present situation.

The dire state of the pandemic notwithstanding, this issue and this editorial wish to celebrate an anniversary: 25 volumes of the International Journal of Practical Theology have been published as of the end of 2021.

On this occasion, we would first like to recall the programmatic editorial of the first issue, edited by Wilhelm Gräb and Richard Osmer (in: IJPT 1, 1997, 1–10). We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the authors of the approximately 300 articles that have appeared since then, to the members of the Editorial Board, who have accompanied and advised the development of the journal, and especially to all the former main editors (and their assistents). They are Wilhelm Gräb, Berlin (Germany, 1997–2012), Richard Osmer, Princeton/NJ (USA; 1997–2001), Mary Elisabeth M. Moore, Boston, Mass. (USA, 2002–2010), James Nieman, Hartford/Conn. (USA, 2002–2012), Elaine L. Graham, Chester (Great Britain, 2010–2017). Presently, Pamela Couture, Toronto (Canada, since 2018) and Bernd Schröder, Göttingen (Germany, since 2013) serve as editors-in-chief. Last but not least we are greateful to DeGruyter Publishing House, in particular to Dr. Hasko von Bassi and Dr. Albrecht Doehnert as chief editors.

In the past quarter of a century, the journal has developed in many respects. I would like to point out a few highlights:

Internationalization: At the journal’s inception, almost 100 % of the articles were written by European and North American authors. Over the past five years, their share, especially the number of European contributions, has decreased to about 75 %. Articles by authors from Asia and (South) Africa have become noticeably more frequent. In addition, while the submissions initially came from about two handfuls of countries, primarily Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and the USA, the national distribution is now much broader. Last year, the contributions came from authors of about 25 countries.

Gender diversification: At the beginning of the scientific project „International Journal of Practical Theology“, only about one in six articles was written (or co-authored) by female scientists. In the meantime, their contributions make up more than a third of the total. This development is also visible in the Editorial Board: While only a few female scientists were represented there in the beginning, the ratio is now roughly even: Including the book review editors, the board now consists of eight women and nine men.

Number of submissions and rubrics: Corresponding to the aforementioned developments, the number of article submissions has increased. We receive between 50 and 60 articles per year, which are subjected to a peer review process – which unfortunately takes quite a long time. The acceptance rate is about 20 %. In addition, four invited articles are published each year in the sections „International Report“ and „Research Report“, alongside the editorials and, on occasion, topical „interjections.“

From the beginning, the IJPT has also published reviews. Beginning with the year 2022, i. e. the 26th volume, we are launching an initiative to publish additional book reviews online. The aim is to make room for all book publications by members of the „International Academy of Practical Theology“ to be presented and appreciated.

The importance and development of a journal is by no means only reflected in numbers. Three founding members of the Editorial Board, who have accompanied the path of the journal from the beginning until today, share some reflections in this volume: Wilhelm Gräb (Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany), Mary Elisabeth Mullino Moore (Boston University, Boston/Mass, USA), and Friedrich Schweitzer (University of Tübingen, Germany). A younger colleague, Solange Lefebvre (McGill University, Montreal, Canada), reflects on the trends described above in her essay.

This first issue of the 26th year offers contributions that are related to three themes: Firstly, the role of aesthetics in practical theology, not least with regard to poimenic tasks (Martin Walton and colleagues, Protestant Theological University, Groningen, The Netherlands, and Jonna Ojalammi, University of Helsinki, Finland). Secondly, LGBTQI+ studies (Pilar M. D’Alò, Protestant Theological University, Amsterdam, NL, and Brett Hoover, Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles/CA, USA). Thirdly, church membership and church leadership (by Tobias Faix, YMCA University, Kassel, Germany, and Ulrich Riegel, University of Siegen, Germany, as well as by Truls Åkerlund and Åse-Miriam Smidsrød, both from the Norwegian School of Leadership and Theology, Oslo, Norway).

Our „Research Report“ is written by Friedrich Schweitzer (University of Tübingen), Wolfgang Ilg (Ludwigsburg Protestant University of Applied Sciences), and Henrik Simojoki (Humboldt University of Berlin, all Germany). They sum up the two previous and the upcoming third national and international empirical study on confirmation work, for which they are responsible. The planned „International Report“ could not be completed in time by the authors.