PCR is an informal association of scholars and practitioners in the fields of religion and psychology who share common interests in the relationship between religion, psychology, and contemporary cultures. The group's primary purposes are:

1. to foster creative research in the fields of the group's interest, both academic and applied, though presentations given at the annual meeting of the group and through the group's newsletter and web presence;
2. to encourage the exchange of ideas among the membership, through discussion and the announcement of research topics, course syllabi, publications, and projects; and
3. to provide a forum associated with the American Academy of Religion for those with shared backgrounds in the fields of psychology, religion, and cultural theology.

Participation by practitioners and theorists alike has brought together "real-world" political, social, and personal issues with careful and rigorous academic reflection and sensitivity to interpersonal processes in an atmosphere of friendly, constructive, and supportive cooperation. Among the group's traditions are AAR Annual Meeting sessions in which members have the opportunity to reflect upon the multiple identities and locations they occupy in academy, clinic, and church. These truly interdisciplinary and "inter-professional" conversations are one of the practices that make PCR so effective as an intellectual community. Many participants continue to remark on these sessions as a welcome variation on standard academic fare.

For more information, see the 2001 application for recertification by the AAR, and the 2006 renewal letter from the AAR.