Christianity and Social Work: Readings in the Integration of Christian Faith and Social Work Practice - Fourth Edition
The fourth edition of Christianity and Social Work offers compelling evidence that the Christian perspective in social work not only has come into its own, but also that it is needed more than ever in a conflicted and increasingly impoverished world. Practitioners and educators alike will find an expended text that is rich with scholarship on, to name but a few examples, social welfare history, evidence-based practice, congregational social work, social justice and the complexities of helping in a diverse society. This edition of Christianity and Social Work will be an essential companion for Christians in social work faced with the challenges and promised of a new decade, and a world much in need of God's love. --Dr. Leola Dyrud Furman, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of North DakotaThe fourth edition does not disappoint as an important contribution to the social work practice literature. By keeping previously published classics, NACSW retains its commitment to conveying core lessons in Christian ethics, social justice, black history, and integration of faith and practice. This new volume expands its range to contemporary themes, such as global issues and practice with LGBT clients. At the same time, it casts a deeper light on historical assumptions and services to children and diverse populations. Pairing this extraordinary scholarship with pertinent classroom resources creates an irresistible supply for learning. --Dr. Janet E. Furness, Associate Dean and Professor of Social Work, Union University, Jackson, TennesseeChristians in social work often struggle to find ways to integrate their faith with their social work practice. We have a message of life, hope and truth to share. And yet, how do we do this ethically in our day-to-day practice, particularly given the wide ranges of our faith and our practice? This is where Christianity and Social Work shines. In education, there is much talk about having a spiral curriculum: we come back time and again to revisit a topic covered earlier. Each revisiting is enriched by the learning that has taken place since the last visit. I think that the same applies when we seek to integrate our Christian faith and our social work practice. Reading, reflecting and revisiting can lead us to a richer understanding. This book is a great place to start! --Denis Costello, MSW, Director of Clinical Programs and Services, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaThe fourth edition does not disappoint as an important contribution to the social work practice literature. By keeping previously published classics, NACSW retains its commitment to conveying core lessons in Christian ethics, social justice, black history, and integration of faith and practice.This new volume expands its range to contemporary themes, such as global issues and practice with LGBT clients. At the same time, it casts a deeper light on historical assumptions and services to children and diverse populations. Pairing this extraordinary scholarship with pertinent classroom resources creates an irresistible supply for learning. --Dr. Janet E. Furness, Associate Dean and Professor of Social Work, Union University, Jackson, TennesseeChristians in social work often struggle to find ways to integrate their faith with their social work practice. We have a message of life, hope and truth to share. And yet, how do we do this ethically in our day-to-day practice, particularly given the wide ranges of our faith and our practice? This is where Christianity and Social Work shines.In education, there is much talk about having a spiral curriculum: we come back time and again to revisit a topic covered earlier. Each revisiting is enriched by the learning that has taken place since the last visit. I think that the same applies when we seek to integrate our Christian faith and our social work practice --Denis Costello, MSW, Director of Clinical Programs and Services, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaIn both religiously-affiliated colleges and universities and non-sectarian academic institutions, the numbers of students who want to connect their Christian faith with social work practice is continuing to increase. Christianity and Social Work provides essential material to assist both undergraduate and graduate social work students in this quest. The book will help students appreciate the Christian roots of social welfare history, enable them to see how social work principles are underpinned by Christian beliefs and values, and assist them to understand how their Christian perspectives can support and inform their professional practice even as they deal with some of the most difficult contemporary issues.  Christianity and Social Work also provides an excellent compilation of material for social work educators. Especially appealing to educators are the appendices and charts that make evident the linkages between chapters and the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) from the Council on Social Work Education. These tool will be valuable to educators as they endeavor to show how they prepare students to demonstrate specific competencies in social work practice. The editors and chapter authors of this book are respected scholars with demonstrated expertise in their respective areas of research. Together, they have prepared an outstanding volume which is an excellent resource to all social work students, educators and practitioners who are concerned with the integration of Christian faith and professional social work. --Dr. Frank Raymond, Dean Emeritus, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, College of Social Work, University of South CarolinaChristians in social work often struggle to find ways to integrate their faith with their social work practice. We have a message of life, hope and truth to share. And yet, how do we do this ethically in our day-to-day practice, particularly given the wide ranges of our faith and our practice? This is where Christianity and Social Work shines.In education, there is much talk about having a spiral curriculum: we come back time and again to revisit a topic covered earlier. Each revisiting is enriched by the learning that has taken place since the last visit. I think that the same applies when we seek to integrate our Christian faith and our social work practice. Reading, reflecting and revisiting can lead us to a richer understanding. This book is a great place to start! --Denis Costello, MSW, Director of Clinical Programs and Services, Toronto, Ontario, Canada