Transforming theology, transforming the church — these two tasks go hand in hand. What pastors say in the pulpit is theology; what church people say in Bible studies or discussion groups is theology; and when one explains why she works for social justice or against racism, her explanation is also theology. Theology means everything that Christians say when they describe what they believe and why they act as they do. Thus there is no church transformation without theology — indeed, there is no church at all without theology.

   But the relationship must work in both directions. If all Christians are theologians, shouldn’t it be that the theology taught in seminaries and divinity schools also serves the church? Of course, when theology is taught in schools, it is also written partly for the Academy; theology is also an academic discipline. No less important, theologians also play a crucial role in addressing social injustices, criticizing unjust political systems and policies, and working for social transformation. But surely theologians can also play these other roles without breaking the organic link between theology and the church!

   One of the goals of TransformingTheology.org is to work for a closer partnership between theology and the church — between theologians, pastors, denominational leaders, and laypersons. Our goal is not merely to name the problems but to work toward new, creative, positive solutions. To succeed at this task, one must be clear on the challenges that the mainline churches face today. Much of the theology that’s written and taught in seminaries and divinity schools today is not helpful (or even comprehensible!) to persons who are struggling with their identity as Christians in church and society. As a result, many Christians — not only laypeople but also pastors — now view theology in all its forms as irrelevant to their needs and to the real world. Sometimes they are unfamiliar with what Christians have believed and taught through the ages, and increasingly one even finds active hostility toward theological reflection in all its forms.

   Yet it’s crucial that there be close and vibrant links between knowing what one believes, being able to express what one believes, and acting one's beliefs. The Transforming Theology movement is working with a wide range of denominations and networks to help to reestablish these links. We believe that the danger is not Christians thinking too much about their beliefs; it's Christians who think too little about what they believe and why.