Christianity and Social Work: Readings on the Integration of Christian Faith and Social Work Practice

One of the developments in social work in the second half of the 20th century has been a marked decline in the recognition of the Christian religion in the teaching and practice of professional social work. The secularization of the social work profession, the notion of religion in both an ideological and institutional sense having little or no part in forming or informing the world of social work, has been very extensive.

This is unfortunate for a number of reasons. First, social work once used the language of Christianity as a basis for its existence. Historically, such language was widely and eloquently used by both social work educators and practitioners. Second, spirituality, and to a large degree Christian spirituality, is very much part of our culture and continues to play a significant role in providing moral rationale and reasoning to our political, social, and charitable institutions. As a result, many individuals who seek to be social workers want to know what role Christian faith plays in a helping profession - specifically, the professional existence and activities of social work. The purpose of this book is to help respond to this question.

Christianity and Social Work is a collection of articles dealing with a variety of topics and issues related to the professional practice of social work and their relationship to Christian faith. The book, therefore, attempts to offer a Christian perspective for social that is within the parameters of contemporary models of social work research and scholarship. The contributors represent a variety of academic and practice settings, along with a broad range of theological and social work perspectives. The common denominator for all of them is a commitment to social work as a profession and a commitment to integrating social work with their Christian faith.

Chapter topics are organized around three themes: 1. The Changing Context for Practice - addresses issues related to the present trends of privatization and devolution in social welfare. 2. Worldviews and Plumblines - concerns the normative principles that guide the profession, applied to the behavior of individuals, whether client or professional, and to social policy. 3. Spiritual Aspects in the Helping Process- reintroduces spiritual issues as a legitimate practice focus, providing for a more complete understanding of client strengths, weaknesses, and problems.

BACK COVER: The North American Association of Christians in Social Work provides opportunities for Christian fellowship and professional learning, encourages professional standards among Christian workers and agencies, recruits Christian students to enter the social work profession, and promotes a Christian philosophy of social work and the development of professional literature reflecting a Christian perspective. NACSW's mission is "to supports the integration of Christian faith and professional social work practice in the lives of its members, the profession and the church, promoting love and justice in social service and social reform." Its goals include: 1. Supporting and encouraging members in the integration of Christian faith and professional practice through fellowship, education, and service opportunities; 2. Articulating an informed Christian voice on social welfare practices and policies to the social work profession; 3. Providing professional understanding and help for the social ministry of the church; 4. Promoting social welfare services and policies in society which bring about greater justice and meet basic human needs.

NACSW's services include: 1. Training workshops and conferences; 2. Local chapters and fellowship groups; 3. A growing array of publications including books, monographs, and videos; 4. Bimonthly newsletter (Catalyst) and a semi-annual referred journal (Social Work and Christianity); 5. Professional liability insurance; 6. Employment exchange information; 7. Listserv to facilitate member communication and dialogue.

Beryl Hugen, editor of Christianity and Social Work, received a BA from Calvin College, a MSW from Western Michigan University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He is currently a Professor of Social Work and Practicum Coordinator in the Department of Social Work and Sociology at Calvin College. He has practice experience in a variety of mental health and child welfare settings. Professional areas of interest include mental health (family and chronic mental illness), program evaluation, the integration of Christian faith and social work practice, child welfare, and social work history. Presently he serves on the Board and as Special Publications Editor for the North American Association of Christians in Social Work. Other contributors to Christianity and Social Work include: Katherine Amato-von Hemert from the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky; Gary R. Anderson, Professor at Hunter College School of Social Work of the City University of New York; John E. Babler, Assistant professor of Social Work and Ministry-Based Evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; Timothy A. Boyd, Associate Professor of Social Work and Psychology at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY; Rick Chamiec-Case, Executive Director of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work in Botsford, CT; Diana Garland, Professor of Social Work at Baylor University in Waco, Texas; Lon Johnson, Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work and Sociology at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas; Sarah S. Kreutziger, Assistant Professor at Tulane School of Social Work; Lawrence E. Ressler, Professor of Social Work at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY; David A. Sherwood, Professor of Social Work at the Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY; Janice M. Staral, Assistant Professor at Marquette University in Wisconsin; Mary P. Van Hook, Associate Professor of Social Work at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mary Vanden Bosch Zwaastra, Associate Professor at Calvin College,