Places to Publish for Ministry Guidance Professionals This document has been developed from a list of journals identified by the Association of Theological Field Educators (ATFE) as recommended journals for academic publications in their area of study. The original list was prepared in fall 2004 by Pam Faro, research assistant to Professor Jeffrey Mahan, Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. The current document includes many of the titles from the original ATFE list along with several other titles germane to ministry supervision. Although these titles do not represent an exhaustive list of all the possible journals to which ministry guidance professionals may wish to submit papers for publication, these titles have been selected from the ATLA list of journals that have made substantive academic contributions to their specific areas of expertise. Based on stated aims and scope, and/or on past record of relevant published articles, this list identifies journals that are appropriate places for publishing work that grows out of ministry-related experience and scholarship. Each entry includes the journal’s title, website address, and statements about its aim and scope taken directly from its website. In addition to the list of peer-reviewed academic journals, some "popular" ministry-related resources (i.e., those targeted toward a more general audience) have been identified which may serve as other possible avenues for publication. This revised document has been prepared by the Publications Task Force of the Association for Ministry Guidance Professionals (Summer 2009). Peer-reviewed Academic Journals British Journal of Religious Education Christian Higher Education Christian Education Journal International Journal of Practical Theology Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion Journal of Beliefs and Values Journal of Empirical Theology Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling Journal of Pastoral Theology Journal of Religious Leadership Journal of Research on Christian Education Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care Journal of Youth and Theology Journal of Youth Ministry Perspectives in Religious Studies Reflective Practice: Formation & Supervision in Ministry Religious Education Review & Expositor Review of Religious Research Sociology of Religion Teaching Theology and Religion Theological Education Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry "Popular" Resources (Excluding Denominational Publications) Christian Century Christianity Today Congregations Leadership Journal Peer-Reviewed Academic Journals British Journal of Religious Education http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/01416200.asp The British Journal of Religious Education (BJRE) is an international peer-reviewed journal which has a pedigree stretching back to 1934 when it began life as Religion in Education. In 1961 the title was changed to Learning for Living, and the present title was adopted in 1978. It is the leading journal in Britain for the dissemination of international research in religion and education and for the scholarly discussion of issues concerning religion and education internationally. BJRE aims to promote and report research and scholarship in religious education and related fields such as values education, spiritual education and intercultural education insofar as they relate to the discussion of religion or religious traditions and movements. Contributions relating to the following are especially welcome: research and scholarship on religious education as understood in the UK publicly funded school sector international research and scholarship relating to religious education in the schools of plural societies religious education in faith based schools religious perspectives on education childhood and religion in community and school settings Contributions are welcome from researchers and scholars of any faith or none in all sectors of education (including higher education, schools, educational administration and inspection). Submissions from graduate students are welcome. Christian Education Journal http://wisdom.biola.edu/cej The purpose of the journal is to strengthen the conception and practice of Christian education in church and parachurch settings through: Encouraging reflection on the foundations of Christian education and implications for ministry practice Exploring the integration and application of social science theory and research to educational ministry concerns Fostering improved teaching in the field of Christian education at colleges and seminaries, equipping people for leadership in this field Promoting the assessment of our changing cultural context and of contemporary educational ministry needs, models, and trends Providing reviews of new books in the field of Christian education and other related disciplines that impact educational ministry. Talbot School of Theology is pleased to publish the Christian Education Journal in cooperation with the North American Professors of Christian Education (NAPCE). Christian Higher Education http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/15363759.asp Christian Higher Education is a peer reviewed archival journal that features articles on developments being created and tested by those engaged in the study and practice of Christian higher education. This journal addresses issues in finance, enrollment management, innovative teaching methods, higher education administration, program assessment, faculty development, curriculum development, and student services. Each issue offers a balance of essays on current research as well as programs and methods at the cutting edge of progress. CHE is the only journal to be international, interdenominational, interdisciplinary, and to focus exclusively on Christian higher education. International Journal of Practical Theology http://www.degruyter.de/journals/ijpt The International Journal of Practical Theology is an academic journal. It is intended for practical theologians and teachers of religious education, scientists specializing in religion, and representatives of other cultural-scientific disciplines. The aim of the journal is to promote an international and interdisciplinary dialogue. The journal contains contributions on an empirically descriptive and critically constructive theory of ecclesiastical and religious practice in society. Primarily, it deals with descriptions of religion as it is practiced. Religion in this context can be understood in the broad sense of the word according to which all appreciative tendencies towards an ultimate view of oneself and of the world can be described as being religious. Thus the many different forms of religion as they are lived today are applied in a critically constructive manner to the normative self-image of churches, ecclesiastical groups and denominations. As contributions towards practical theology, they ultimately pursue the structure of practically orientated theories of ecclesiastical and ecclesiastically conveyed religious practice. The spectrum of themes is divided into five groups. First, the articles deal with the global and regional different changes in religious practice in relation to the processes of socio-cultural modernization processes (individualization and pluralization). Second, they study the development of new forms of public religion (civil religion). Third, they analyze the life history of the formation and transformation of religion (religious development). Fourth, they examine the intercultural and interreligious dimensions of religion on an individual, social and ecclesiastical level (interreligious dialogue, syncretism). Fifth, they attempt to give a critical and constructive interpretation of the ecclesiastical fields of action (church service and sermon, religious instruction, pastoral care and spiritual guidance, organization and management). In addition to essays, the International Journal of Practical Theology also offers research reports which provide information on the current state of affairs of interdisciplinary and international research of religion as far as this is relevant from a practical and theological point of view. Furthermore, the journal also contains situation reports which reveal the state of discussion of practical theology in various countries, regions and confessions. Finally, it also includes a review section which gives information on important new publications in the field of practical theology. The International Journal of Practical Theology is neither the organ of a specific theological school nor of a particular ecclesiastical organization. The journal does not aim to present biased opinions of theological schools or confessional organizations but rather place in the foreground of discussion the differences between ecclesiastical and ecclesiastically conveyed practice of religion, the documentation and discussion of its development within its regional context, its international interweavement and different normative orientations. - The contributions are in English or German. A summary (abstract) is given in the other language respectively to give the reader a general idea of the article. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=0021-8294 Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, published on behalf of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, is a quarterly multi-disciplinary journal that publishes articles, research notes, and book reviews on the social scientific study of religion. Published articles are representative of the best current theoretical and methodological treatments of religion. Substantive areas include both micro-level analysis of religious organizations, institutions, and social change. While many articles published in the journal are sociological, the journal also publishes the work of psychologists, political scientists, anthropologists, and economists. Journal of Beliefs and Values http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/13617672.asp The principal aim of Journal of Beliefs & Values is to focus critical enquiry relevant to four fields of study: theology religious studies religious education values in education The journal welcomes international, interdisciplinary and ecumenical debate. The distinctive contributions of the journal include: theological reflections on education education in religion spirituality in education empirical perspectives on religion spiritual life of children and adults Journal of Beliefs & Values maintains a specific interest in the scriptures of the major world faiths, especially their use in teaching within a multi-cultural context, in school, college and university. Particular emphasis is placed on the interface between the theory and practice of religion and education, including research in formative factors like gender, race and religious pluralism. Journal of Empirical Theology http://www.brill.nl/jet The Journal of Empirical Theology (JET) publishes theological articles and book reviews directly or indirectly based upon empirical research and empirical methodology. It aims to broaden and advance empirical-theological knowledge and thought at an international level in order to contribute to a deeper understanding of religion in modern times in relation to the Christian tradition. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling http://www.jpcp.org The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling advances theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective literature on pastoral and spiritual care, counseling, psychotherapy, education, and research. All material submitted to JPC&C must reflect the ethical standards of the pastoral associations that sponsor JPCP Inc. These standards are available at the associations’ websites. JPC&C publishes articles such as the following. Concrete and detailed reports of significant areas of pastoral/spiritual care work, with discussion Research Studies of importance to the pastoral/spiritual care mission of religious communities Articles advancing understanding of the practice of Clinical Pastoral Education and Pastoral Counseling/Psychotherapy Articles that explore the distinctive as well as the common characteristics of Ministry/ Spiritual Care in relation to other helping professions and/or institutions JPCP Inc, is a non-profit corporation registered in the U.S. state of Georgia in 1994. JPCP Inc advances theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective publications. JPCP Inc’s primary publication is The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling, advancing theory and professional practice through scholarly and reflective literature on pastoral and spiritual care, counseling, psychotherapy, education, and research. JPC&C began in 1947 as The Journal of Pastoral Care. Journal of Pastoral Theology http://www.spt-jpt.org The Journal of Pastoral Theology is published by The Society for Pastoral Theology. JPCP Inc is the distributor and advertising agent for The Journal of Pastoral Theology. The mission of the Journal of Pastoral Theology is: to further the understanding of pastoral theology as a theological discipline and to clarify the nature of the discipline. to maintain a view of pastoral theology as a constructive theology growing out of the exercise of caring relationships, with attention both to present lived experience and to knowledge derived from the past; to provide an intentional forum for the voices of diverse persons, women and men, of many cultural and ethnic backgrounds; to foster multi-cultural understandings of issues in the discipline; to promote and encourage multi-discipline/multi-cultural research in the field of pastoral theology; to provide resources for those who teach and those who study, through recording current research and assessing the relevant literature; to provide for the construction of sound theological principles for guidance and critique of pastoral practice; and to work creatively, synthesizing and constructing, to define the frontiers and parameters of the discipline. Journal of Religious Leadership http://www.arl-jrl.org The Journal of Religious Leadership is the semi-annual, peer-review publication of the Academy of Religious Leadership. Begun in 2002, the Journal seeks to provide excellence in scholarship for theological educators around the broad issues of leadership, administration, and finance. Journal of Research on Christian Education http://www.andrews.edu/jrce/index.html The Journal of Research on Christian Education (JRCE) provides a vehicle for the scholarly interchange of research findings relative to every level of Christian education. Particular emphasis is given to Christian schooling within the Protestant tradition as well as to research findings from other traditions which have implications for such schools. The purposes of the JRCE are (1) to stimulate inquiry among scholars of Christian education on topics of common interest, (2) to serve as a clearinghouse for the organization and diffusion of emerging research on the Christian school, and (3) to communicate research findings that inform Christian educators as well as the wider society. The JRCE is published twice per year under the auspices of the School of Education at Andrews University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution. Views expressed in the JRCE are those of individual authors an do not necessarily represent the views of the editors or the sponsoring organization. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care http://wisdom.biola.edu/sfj The Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care is a peer-reviewed journal published twice a year (beginning spring 2008) by the Talbot School of Theology's Institute for Spiritual Formation. The purpose of the journal is advancing the discussion of the theory and practice of Christian formation and soul care for the sake of the educational ministries of the church, Christian education and other parachurch organizations through scholarly publications that are rooted in biblical exegesis, systematic theology, the history of Christian spirituality, philosophical analysis, psychological theory/research, spiritual theology, and Christian experience. While the journal will be rooted in biblical and theological inquiry, the existential nature of Christian spirituality demands an interdisciplinary approach in which disciplines such as history, psychology, philosophy, literature, and sociology have a valuable contribution. The major intent of the editors is to place before the Christian community writing that will foster the field of spiritual formation and soul care as that has been understood and developed within historic Christianity. Journal of Youth and Theology http://www.iasym.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=13&Itemid=104 The Journal of Youth and Theology is the peer-reviewed academic journal of the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry. Published twice yearly, the journal features interdisciplinary research in youth ministry. The International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry is a not-for-profit global organisation. Our aim is to support and develop the professionalisation of youth ministry around the world. In particular, we focus on furthering the academic study and research of youth and youth ministry, the formal teaching and training of youth ministry (at universities, seminaries, denominations, parachurch organisations, local ministries, or wherever else it may occur), and all those involved in career youth ministry and in the growth and development of youth ministry as a recognised profession. Our goal is to raise the profile of youth ministry as a calling, career and/or professional enterprise, and to encourage the reflection on youth ministry and academic discipline that will support youth ministry at this level. The activities of the Association include: To provide an international network of interaction, information and resources. To publish an academic journal (two editions per year of The Journal of Youth and Theology). To raise the standard and awareness of youth ministry as a professional and academic discipline. Promoting inter-disciplinary research into youth ministry. Organising conferences on the study of youth ministry (an international conference is held in Oxford, England every second January. National conferences are organised by members in participating countries). A closed email discussion list. Raising funds to sponsor those who may not be able to afford to participate in the activities of the Association. Journal of Youth Ministry http://www.aymeducators.org/?page=JYMMission Statement of Purpose: Christian youth ministry exists to share the biblical truths of God's redemptive love with adolescents and facilitate their journey of becoming genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. As youth ministry educators, we are called to prepare, refresh and challenge current and future youth ministers. The Journal of Youth Ministry is intended to be a peer-reviewed medium through which professional youth ministry educators may share with, encourage, and challenge each other through our various academic and practical disciplines related to youth ministry education. This journal will allow us to share research, promote critical thinking, and encourage innovation associated with the practice and theory of Christian youth ministry. Publication Schedule: The Journal of Youth Ministry is published twice yearly by the Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME) in cooperation with Gordon College and Nyack College. The opinions of the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the AYME, the editors, or associated institutions. The editorial board is comprised of the editors and the board members of the Association of Youth Ministry Educators. Perspectives in Religious Studies http://www.baylor.edu/prs Established in 1972, Perspectives in Religious Studies is a publication produced for the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion. This journal is now published quarterly and began with the first issue appearing in 1974. In 1979, Watson Mills and the journal moved to Mercer University Press. It was here that the journal's circulation increased and in 1984 became a quarterly publication. The journal may be found throughout the world in libraries of colleges, universities, and seminaries. Dr. Mills served as Senior Editor of the journal from 1974-1991. At that time, Rollin Armour (Mercer University) became Senior Editor and R. Alan Culpepper (now dean of Mercer University McAfee School of Theology) Associate Editor. In 1993, Dr. Culpepper became sole PRS Editor and served in that capacity until 1996. Dr. David Duke*, (William Jewell College) served as PRS Editor from 1997-1999, and David May (Central Baptist Theological Seminary) was PRS editor, 2000-2002. In November, 2002, Mikeal Parsons (Baylor University) assumed editorial responsibilities for Perspectives. Reflective Practice: Formation & Supervision in Ministry http://www.reflectivepractice.org/index.html Reflective Practice: Formation & Supervision in Ministry is a journal that seeks to understand, expand, and promote theory learning and reflection in the practice of supervision and formation in various ministries from pluralistic multi-faith perspectives. This Journal is serving the constituencies of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), The Association of Theological Field Educators (ATFE) and training programs in Spiritual Direction. Our History: After 28 years of publication as The Journal of Supervision & Training in Ministry in the Chicago area, the journal now known as Reflective Practice: Formation & Supervision in Ministry is now published by an Editorial Board in the Berkeley, California area under the leadership of the Editor, the Rev. Dr. Herbert Anderson. Our Mission: Reflective Practice is an annual journal containing information from Spiritual Directors, CPE Supervisors, theological field educational directors, and other authors. Our Goals: The goals of the journal Reflective Practice: Formation & Supervision in Ministry are: To preserve and extend the field of supervision and training in ministry formation through the written word To encourage potential authors to become published contributors To enrich and expand our understanding and practice of supervision and training in ministry by including new participants and perspectives in our critical reflection on this work Religious Education http://www.religiouseducation.net/journal/religious_education.htm Religious Education, the journal of the Religious Education Association: An Association of Professors, Practitioners, and Researchers in Religious Education, offers a forum for exploring religious identity, formation, and education in faith communities, academic disciplines and institutions, and public life and the global community Articles consider education in houses of worship, schools, informal programs, and institutions of higher learning involving adults, youth, children, and families. Topics addressed include educational theory, theology, and education; tradition and trends; policy and practice; models and methods; moral values and character education; sacred texts; and spiritual, cultural and social issues in education. Religious Education seeks original compositions in the following three areas: Articles – Research, scholarship, and insights from practice relating to the intersection of religion and education. Forum – Essays in response to articles published within the journal. Critique – Essays and shorter reviews of significant new titles in books, media, and curricula. Review & Expositor http://www.rande.org/welcome.html The Review & Expositor is a quarterly Baptist theological journal dedicated to free and open inquiry of issues related to the Church's mission in the contemporary world. The journal's breadth of theological reflection and analysis is designed to inform, stimulate, and challenge readers to excellence in their service to the Church. Baptist in its heritage, ecumenical in its outlook, and global in its vision, the Review & Expositor balances scholarly analysis with practical application. The Review & Expositor welcomes responsible scholarly expression of diverse views regarding matters of interest and concern to the Christian community. The publication of research, interpretation, comment, opinion, or advertising in the journal does not necessarily suggest agreement or endorsement by the editors, or by the editorial board. Review of Religious Research http://rra.hartsem.edu/reviewof.htm The Review of Religious Research, the journal of the Religious Research Association, is published four times a year (September, December, March and June). The journal seeks to provide a regular channel for the exchange of information on methods, findings and uses of religious research. It contains a variety of articles, book reviews and reports on research projects. Among the characteristics which distinguish the Religious Research Association from other academic associations are its applied focus and the opportunities it offers for academics and denomination-based researchers to share their findings with each other. Sociology of Religion http://www.sorjournal.org Sociology of Religion, the official journal of the Association for the Sociology of Religion, is published quarterly for the purpose of advancing scholarship in the sociological study of religion. The journal publishes original (not previously published) work of exceptional quality and interest without regard to substantive focus, theoretical orientation, or methodological approach. Although theoretically-ambitious, empirically-grounded articles are the core of what we publish, we also welcome agenda setting essays, comments on previously published works, critical reflections on the research act, and interventions into substantive areas or theoretical debates intended to push the field ahead. Sociology of Religion has published work by renowned scholars from Nancy Ammerman to Robert Wuthnow. Robert Bellah, Niklas Luhmann, Talcott Parsons, and Pitirim Sorokin all published in the pages of this journal. More recently, articles published in Sociology of Religion have won the ASA Religion Section’s Distinguished Article Award (Rhys Williams in 2000) and the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion’s Distinguished Article Award (Matthew Lawson in 2000 and Fred Kniss in 1998). Building on this legacy, Sociology of Religion aspires to be the premier English-language publication for sociological scholarship on religion and an essential source for agenda-setting work in the field. Teaching Theology and Religion http://www.wiley.com/bw/aims.asp?ref=1368-4868&site=1 Good teaching and learning are essential for the vitality and effectiveness of departments and institutions of higher education engaged in the study of religion and theology. Teaching Theology & Religion sustains a crucial international discourse among faculty members about teaching and learning in the several subdisciplines in the study of religion. As the body of scholarly writing on teaching and learning increases across the academic disciplines, this peer-reviewed scholarly publication has become an essential forum for generative discourse about pedagogical issues specific to our field while contributing substantive, often unique insights into teaching and learning across the curriculum. Teaching Theology & Religion publishes: Articles: Peer-reviewed articles on teaching and learning in theology and religion, focusing on: diverse styles of learning, the philosophy and theology of teaching, assessment in theology and religion, objectivity and advocacy in teaching, information technology and theological teaching, contextualization of teaching in different countries, and other issues in teaching and learning. Notes from the Classroom: Peer-reviewed shorter articles which provide specific examples of teaching and brief practical ideas for exploration in the classroom. Reviews of Teaching Materials: This section is not a general review of books in religion, but a focused review of materials in a variety of media - including text books, films, and electronic materials - that are intended for use in classes or that pertain to teaching in religion departments or theological schools. Theological Education http://www.ats.edu/Resources/pages/TESubmissionGuidelines.aspx Theological Education, the journal of The Association of Theological Schools and The Commission on Accrediting of ATS, is devoted to the distinctive concerns of graduate theological education in North America. The journal supports the mission of the Association and the Commission by providing those concerned with theological education—including administrators, faculty, and independent researchers— with scholarly discourse and reports on issues and trends, research findings and resources, and models of critical analysis and effective practices in graduate theological education. Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry http://www.luthersem.edu/word&world Word & World is a quarterly journal of theology that is meant for readers throughout the church who are concerned for Christian ministry in and to the world. A glance at our articles and our issue themes will show how we propose to bring Christian thinking to the questions posed by life in our world today. Now in its 24th year of publication, Word & World presents theological articles and book reviews geared to those who are engaged in Christian Ministry, both clergy and laypersons. Each 100+ page issue contains articles on the issue theme and features such as "Face to Face" (different or opposing views on current questions in church and world); "Texts in Context" (providing preachers and teachers with reflections, insights, methods, and models to help in proclaiming the biblical message in a particular context); and substantial book reviews. "Popular" Resources (Excluding Denominational Publications) Christian Century http://www.christiancentury.org The Christian Century is an ecumenical biweekly magazine that examines developments in the contemporary church and probes the religious and moral issues of our day. Articles: We seek manuscripts that articulate the public meaning of faith, bringing the resources of religious tradition to bear on such topics as poverty, human rights, economic justice, international relations, national priorities and popular culture. We are also interested in pieces that examine or critique the theology and ethos of individual religious communities. We welcome articles that find fresh meaning in old traditions and that adapt or apply religious traditions to new circumstances. Christianity Today http://www.christianitytoday.com Christianity Today magazine, provided by ChristianityToday.com, provides evangelical thought leaders a sense of community, coherence, and direction through thoughtful, biblical commentary on issues and through careful, caring reporting of the news. Christianity Today continues as a leader in providing informative editorial on current events, news from a Christian perspective, Christian doctrine, issues, and trends. Congregations Magazine http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=42 Congregations seeks to provide practical knowledge for congregational leaders. Believing that the most useful resources for congregations may come directly from people in congregations, we emphasize firsthand learnings from those engaged in the practice of ministry. Readers learn from others' experience, as though receiving advice from wise colleagues about the day-to-day problems and possibilities encountered by leaders in congregations. Independent of any denomination, but eager to learn from all of them, Congregations provides a way for useful information to move freely across denominational boundaries and organizational hierarchies so that people in congregations can learn from a broader range of sources. Congregations emphasizes both the religious foundations that undergird congregational life and the human sciences that help us understand it. We seek articles that move beyond the merely anecdotal, and many draw on the social sciences or are grounded in action research. We encourage the development of useful conceptual tools and the inclusion of case material and stories. Congregations focuses on practical dimensions of congregational life, believing that it is through those relationships and structures that congregations make available their spiritual resources. Congregations is published by the Alban Institute. Its mission is to provide clergy and lay leaders with practical, research-based information and ideas for effective ministry as they grapple with an everchanging environment. Congregations is sent quarterly to all members of the Alban Institute. It is the successor to Action Information, published since 1975. Leadership Journal http://www.christianitytoday.com/le Leadership is a journal with a mission: to strengthen church leaders by producing honest and practical material that encourages biblical faithfulness and pastoral effectiveness. We hope, with you, to honor Jesus Christ through today's church. Leadership Journal is published quarterly by Christianity Today International, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.