The social work profession has grown in many directions since its beginnings in the settlements houses and the missions of churches, denominational agencies, and the voluntary services of individual Christians. However, social workers continue to serve as the hands and heart of the church in outreach to oppressed and hurting persons. The church was the first and has continued to be a prominent context for social work practice, joined more recently by government programs, schools, hospitals and clinics, mental health agencies, industry, and most recently, the for-profit, private service sector. This book provides an introduction to church social work, describing and illustrating practice principles that are particularly applicable in the varying contexts of church social work practice.