Paper Example on Christianity and Social Work

What were the major distinctions between the two settlement houses described in this chapter? How does theology affect practice in faith-based settings? How does church polity affect faith-based practice?

The two settlement houses discussed in this chapter are Neighborhood house and the Baptist house which was later renamed to Goodwill center. The distinction in these two houses is that Neighborhood House was established in the year 1896 and Goodwill center was established by another school in 1907.

Theology affects practice in the faith-based settings through changing the faithful prayer practices and also their way of life of the people in theology training. The church policy has a positive effect faith based practice.This is the creation of faith-based organizations in which they are involved in the providence of emergency relief, education, health care and other welfare services, therefore, helping the people greatly.

What do you think are the reasons for the marginalization of Christian influences in much of social work history?

The grounds of marginalization of Christian influences are culture, society, and diversity. However, the main reason for marginalization is not only diversity. Instead, it is its accompaniment that is insanity that each religion believes to be right and better than the other. It is this type of insanity that divides Christians, therefore, leading to marginalization.

Compare and contrast Christian mission and social work practice. What are the similarities and what are the differences?

In comparison and contrast of Christian mission and social workplace, the profession of the social work practice historically put most of its premises and language for Christian church foundation practice which is one of the originators of the mental apprehension of giving a helping hand to others. The similarity is that Social work practice has a Christianity foundation; therefore, It is evident that social work practice values Christianity and promotes a positive worldview. Social workers are also taught to give hope to individuals to appreciate themselves and act as individuals a thing that is also taught in Christianity.

Describe the work of settlement houses. Describe the work of the Charity Organization Societies. How were these approaches similar and how were they different? Do you think a sharp distinction between these two social work methods is legitimate or has too much been made of the differences?

Louisville was home to several settlement houses; these were the Neighborhood House which was established in 1896 and the Baptist settlement house. The settlement houses were

Used for different purposes. For example, the Baptist house which was named Goodwill center afterward was constructed to be used as a training school for Baptist women to become missionaries so as to serve in the United States or overseas. It was known as the woman missionary school for the Christian workers. The charity organization societies had a role of coordinating various charitable resources and also kept the records of the people who had been given the fund to avoid duplication and duplicity. The charity organization society and the settlement house are similar for they were the only two early movements that predated what we consider to be social work practice that is professional. Another similarity is that the both organizations were involved in charitable work and also in both movements there was involvement of Christian workers.The difference in the two movements is that while charitable organization movement supporters made emphasis on changing of individuals, the settlement movement put a lot of stress on societal reform and tried to help the needy by changing of institutions. According to me, a sharp distinction between these two social works is not legitimate. This is because in real life Christian workers were very much involved in both the settlement house movements and also the charity organization societies. Also, some of the leaders in the both parties were very together, therefore, being unopposed to one another philosophies and even the leaders going to the point of carrying out the activities of the both. For example Devine.

References

Scales, T. L., & Kelly, M. S. (2016). Christianity and social work: readings on the intregration of Christian faith and social work practice (5th ed.). Botsford, CT: North American Association of Christians in Social Work.