Activists and the academy: Proposals for social ministry formation learned from the lives of social activists

Abstract

This paper is the fruit of a narrative inquiry in which the author interviewed Christian social activists from the Maritime Provinces to learn what was spiritually formative for their commitment to social ministry. It summarizes and reflects upon the research findings that indicate the types of contexts, people, relationships, experiences and activities that were influences on the participants' societal commitments. Feminist theological themes used to reflect on the findings include affirmation, connecting with difference, proximity to justice issues and risk, relationships, community and creative spirituality. The author suggests the presence of an implicit spiritually formative curriculum in the research participants' lives that is potentially formative for social ministry and suggests some possible implications for theological education.