Customer Reviews

The Newer Deal

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I recently read this book as part of a class on the intersection of religion and social work. Not a topic traditionally dicussed in our graduate schools of social work, it will grow dramatically in importance as the way social services are provided to people in need.

The book begins by defining the meaning of religiously based social work. Various entites can provide social services in a religious setting, among them local congregations, interfaith agencies, national projects such as Habitat for Humanity and sectarian agencies like Catholic Social Services, relief organizations, and religiously affiliated international organizations. The book details the purposes each of these types of organizations serve, and discusses the role that they play in the provision of social services.

Part two of the book discusses the theological bases and the historical emphases on religion in social work. It reflects upon the fact that many social services started out as religiously affiliated agencies, but as social work became a profession rather than a beneficient activity, the rift between social work and religion began to grow. The authors discuss how infrequently religion arises today in the professional educational activities of social workers, such as MSW programs and professional conferences.

The book then discusses the religiously based social services provided in two locales: Philadelphia and Greensboro. The examination of religiously-based services in two areas can serve as a jumping-off point for how other locales examine their provision of services.

The intersection of religion and social work is sure to grow in importance as the federal government continues devolving responsibility for social progams to state and local government, and permits more involvement by religiously affiliated agencies. The Newer Deal is an excellent book to consider both the good and bad aspects of this fundamental change in social work.