Research Supervision as a Spiritual Ministry: A Confluence of Object Relations, Psychodynamics and Grace
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Jeffrey Raymond Pugh
Abstract
The changes in the pedagogy of research supervision in the university context are now reflected within the practices of theological seminaries and accredited colleges. A neglected analytical framework that could illuminate the supervisory relationship is provided by Winnicott’s Object Relations Theory and Bion and Diamond’s Organizational Psychodynamics, as they interconnect identity, stress and creativity – factors that are germane to the researcher experience. Object Relations also parallels faith development. Given the significant personal investment demanded by research, a crisis of identity for the religious student is simultaneously a crisis of faith. Conversely, a Christian faith experience could sustain the research journey through the appropriation of divine Grace. Some suggestions are provided as to how this could be manifested within the research culture.
Zusammenfassung
Fortschritte in der Hochschulpädagogik erreichen zunehmend auch theologische Hochschulen und Fakultäten. Dieser Aufsatz betrachtet die angeleitete Forschungstätigkeit von Nachwuchswissenschaftler:innen aus der Perspektive der Object Relations Theory nach Donald Winnicott und der Theorie der Psychodynamik nach Wilfred Bion und Michael Diamond. Er unterbreitet Vorschläge, wie Krisen des beruflichen Selbstverständnisses und Krisen des persönlichen Glaubens in der Qualifikationsphase erwachsenenpädagogisch begleitet werden können.
© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Frontmatter
- Editorials
- A Passion for Clear Writing
- New Section of Booknotes Online Launched: Tell the Community about New, Exciting Publications!
- International Report
- Is Poland Still the Bulwark of Christendom?
- Research Report
- Another World? Practical Wisdom for the End-Times
- Research Articles
- Research Supervision as a Spiritual Ministry: A Confluence of Object Relations, Psychodynamics and Grace
- A Doxological Response to the Problem of Disenchantment
- In (Partial) Defence of the Monologue Sermon
- A Pilgrim’s Performance: Practical Theology as Convening
- A New-Old Spirituality: How Spirituality has Softened and Revitalized Religion
- “God Has Commanded Me”: A Spiritual Code of a Traditional Birth Attendance (TBA)
- Book Reviews
- Ignatius Swart, Auli Vähäkangas, Marlize Rabe, Annette Leis-Peters (eds.), Stuck in the Margins? Young People and Faith-Based Organisations in South African and Nordic Localities, Göttingen (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht) 2022, 341 pp., ISBN 9783525568552, €100.00
- Birgit Weyel, Wilhelm Gräb, Emmanuel Y. Lartey, Cas Wepener (eds.), International Handbook of Practical Theology, Berlin / Boston (Walter de Gruyter) 2022, 824 pp., ISBN 9783110644555, €82.95 (De Gruyter Reference) – for open access, see: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110618150/html#contents
- Veronice Miles, Embodied Hope: A Homiletical Theology Reflection, Eugene, OR (Cascade Books) 2021, 268 pp., ISBN 9781532699863, $32.00 USD
- Ryan LaMothe, Pastoral Care in the Anthropocene Age: Facing a Dire Future Now, Lanham ML (Lexington Books) 2022, 213pp., ISBN 9781793641472 (e-book: 9781793641489), $100.00 USD
