Practical Theology

Aims & Scope

Practical Theology, the official journal of the British and Irish Association for Practical Theology, is published on behalf of the Contact Pastoral Trust.

Formerly Contact: Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, the journal has been published since 1960 and plays a vital role for those who are involved in pastoral practice and for those who reflect on and teach practical theology within an academic context.

The journal’s mission has always been to contribute to the development of pastoral studies and practical theology by publishing creative articles which report good practice, and which offer fresh theoretical and practical insights in this area.

It is multidisciplinary, with contributions drawn from counselling, missiology, chaplaincy, social work, psychology, ecclesiology, sociology, ethics, as well as pastoral and practical theology.

Since 2018 the journal has included one issue per year solely dedicated to Adult Theological Education.

Subscribers also have access to an extensive archive of material from Contact and the Journal of Adult Theological Education.

Variety to cater for all tastes is a hallmark, from whole themed issues which are an important feature, through research reports of about 6000 words, to shorter accounts of reflection on practice, interviews, autoethnography, biographical reviews, ‘soap box’ challenges, book reviews, and even short stories or poems.

View Aims & Scope

---

Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	0.5
2024	0.40

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.336

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	11

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	15515

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	70

---

---

Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

---

Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Arts and Humanities, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

---

Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Sport, Chaplaincy and Holistic Support: The Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) in English Professional Football

  Citation: 24

  Authors: Christopher, Andrew

• Assessing the Effectiveness of Support Strategies in Reducing Professional Burnout Among Clergy Serving in The Presbyterian Church (USA)

  Citation: 20

  Authors: Leslie J., Mandy, Keith

• Reflections on Autistic Love

  Citation: 18

  Authors: John

• Temperament Theory and Congregation Studies: Different Types for Different Services?

  Citation: 17

  Authors: Leslie J., Howard, Mandy

• Scars and Stigmata: Trauma, Identity and Theology

  Citation: 16

  Authors: R.

• Fresh Expressions

  Citation: 16

  Authors: Leslie J., Judy, Mandy

• Examining Thoughts About Leaving the Ministry Among Anglican Clergy in England and Wales

  Citation: 15

  Authors: Kelvin J.

• The Sport Chaplain's Role in the Holistic Care Model for Collegiate Athletes in the United States

  Citation: 15

  Authors: Steven N., Landon T., Robin L.

• Who Goes There? Attendance at Fresh Expressions of Church in Relation to Psychological Type Preferences among Readers of the<i>Church Times</i>

  Citation: 14

  Authors: Andrew

• Going back to basics: experiencing <i>Domus ecclesiae</i> (House Church) in the celebration of the liturgy during COVID-19

  Citation: 13

  Authors: Jeff Clyde G., Philip Joseph D.

---