BUSTH Faculty, Students, and Alumni Attend 2023 International Academy of Practical Theology Conference in Seoul
By Eunil David Cho, Assistant Professor of Spiritual Care and Counseling and Co-Director of the Center for Practical Theology.
Last month, practical theologians across the globe came to Seoul, South Korea to attend the biennial meeting of the International Academy of Practical Theology (IAPT) held at Yonsei University from June 7th to 11th. The theme of the conference was titled, “Practical Wisdom on the Living Web of the Anthropocene.” This highly anticipated international conference invited scholars from Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and the Americas to reflect on the intersection and interconnectedness of technology, political and economic dynamics, the haunting history of colonization and wars, and the competing relationship between the humans and the earth.
Many STH faculty, students, and alums both from North America and Korea participated in this important event.
Mary Elizabeth Moore, Dean Emerita of the School of Theology and Professor Emerita of Theology and Education was one of the keynote speakers and delivered a lecture titled, “Wisdom of Trees, Ants, and Human Communities: Practical Wisdom at a Crossroads.” Bryan P. Stone, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism, and Co-Director of the Center for Practical Theology (CPT) and Rebekah Neuberger, MDiv candidate co-presented a paper titled, “Cinematic Nature Horror as a Resource for Practical Theology in the Anthropocene.” Eunil David Cho, Assistant Professor of Spiritual Care and Counseling and Co-Director of CPT also presented a paper titled, “Eco-Anxiety is Racial Anxiety: Taking Racism Seriously in Practical Theology in the Era of Eco-Anxiety.”
BUSTH Alumni Soo-Young Kwon (MDiv’95), Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Coaching at United Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University and Min Hyung Lee (MDiv’08, STM’10, PhD’18), Assistant Professor at College of Paideia, Sungkyul University both served as members of the local steering committee and played key roles in organizing this international conference. Lee also served as the moderator for Dean Emerita Moore’s keynote lecture. Alumnus Seokjin Oh (STM’11), Visiting Assistant Professor of Liturgical Studies at Methodist Theological University served as the main worship presider who designed and led the opening devotions throughout the conference.
Finally, during the conference, Dean G. Sujin Pak hosted dinner and a reception in Seoul welcomed about 20 STH alumni and friends in Korea. Furthermore, Prof. Cho hosted a separate gathering for the incoming Korean students who will be joining the STH community this fall.