Practical theology

This study examines the Reformed population in Romania based on the 2021 census and traces changes since 1992. Four dimensions are analysed: population size, territorial distribution, ethnic composition, and educational attainment. Results show a significant decline in Reformed adherents, while their proportion within the Hungarian minority remains stable. Territorial concentration has increased, particularly in historical strongholds, accompanied by ruralization. The number of non-Hungarian Reformed has grown steadily.

In the 21st century, the global center of gravity of Christianity is shifting from the Northern Hemisphere to the Global South, with significant growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In contrast, Europe and North America are experiencing decline due to increasing secularization and religious disaffiliation. Migration is giving rise to new, culturally diverse diaspora congregations around the world. The increasingly popular digital space offers new opportunities for Christian mission, yet it cannot replace personal community.

This study examines the funeral customs within the Reformed Deanery of Sepsi through empirical research conducted across seven congregations. Data collection involved structured interviews with pastors using a standardized questionnaire, supplemented by insights from congregation members who provided additional contextual information. The research addresses several theoretical dimensions of Reformed funeral practices, including the liturgical nature of funeral services, the historical evolution of ceremonial elements, and the service-oriented characteristics of these rituals.

What responsibilities do Protestant pastors in 21st -century Transylvania fulfill, and how should theological education adapt to meet these needs? To address these questions, the Protestant Theological Institute of Cluj-Napoca and the Institute of Religious Studies initiated a research project aimed at mapping the duties and roles of ministers within the region. The initial phase of the study involved in-depth interviews with Protestant leaders and ministers representing a variety of congregational backgrounds across Transylvania.

The pastoral training and professional workshop named “Spirituality and Mission in the Church” held its conference titled “Spiritual Hunger 7.0” on March 2, 2023, at the Ráday House in Budapest. The topic of this was the problem of pastoral care. Márton Járay reported on the results of a survey conducted among Lutheran ministers in Hungary in his presentation titled “The Lost Shepherd - Lessons from a Pastoral Research”.