Skip to content

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Grounded in Faith, Formed in Community

Menu
  • Home
  • Contact Us
Menu

Theology’s Role in Social Work

Posted on November 10, 2014January 22, 2021 by ptsblog
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Micah 6:8 gives the call to all Christians and all social workers: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

I would argue that the values of social workers defined by the National Association of Social Workers Pennsylvania Chapter, of which I am a proud member, fit perfectly with the call of Micah 6:8. The values are:

  • Service
  • Social Justice
  • Dignity and Worth of the Person
  • Importance of Human Relationships
  • Integrity, and
  • Competence.

These values inform every action of a social worker and hopefully of all Christians. The greatest commandment of Christ found in Matthew 22:36-40 is clear: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

A result of the overflowing bounty of the love of God in Jesus Christ is our love of neighbor. Here are the Ethical Principles of Social Workers as defined by the NASW: Social workers’ primary goals are to help people in need and to address social problems, challenge social injustice, respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person, recognize the central importance of human relationships, behave in a trustworthy manner, and practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.

Certainly, all social workers would not identify themselves as Christians. But all Christians should identify themselves as social workers. Our duty, our call, our responsibility is to serve our neighbor by helping those in need, address social problems, challenge social injustice, respect everyone, emphasize human relationships, and behave with trust and competence through the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Erin Davenport is a 2005 alumna of the MDiv program. Through the Seminary’s joint degree program, she also earned her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh. A former chaplain, she now resides in Pittsburgh and serves as the Seminary’s Director of the Miller Summer Youth Institute.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Twitter

2 thoughts on “Theology’s Role in Social Work”

  1. Ramdhan says:
    June 15, 2017 at 12:26 am

    I think everything will be more perfect if it comes with commitment.

    Reply
  2. Lila Bisslik - Mackay says:
    October 4, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    I am a Christian that happened to be a social worker. I am agree 100% with : Micah 6:8 gives the call to all Christians and all social workers: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Founded in 1794, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offering master's and doctor of ministry degrees as well as certificate programs. Participating in God's ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit's work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

Recent Posts

  • Lives of Faith and Service: Distinguished Alums of 2025
  • How Do I Help Someone Struggling With Their Faith?
  • Who Is My Neighbor? – The Rev. Dr. MaryAnn Rennie on Place, History, and Church “for” Community
  • Am I Preaching a Genuine Word?
  • Who Is My Neighbor? The Rev. Kathryn Lester-Bacon on Neighbor, Change, and Mutual Responsibility

Categories

  • Book Recommendations
  • Church Planting
  • Counseling
  • Inside the PTS Curriculum
  • Ministry
  • People of PTS
  • Protestant Spirituality
  • Seminary and Programs
  • Sermon Writing Tips
  • Social Work
  • Theological Reflection
  • Uncategorized
  • Who Is My Neighbor?

Archives

Tags

Bible study Black History Month Call to ministry Christian spirituality church planting church planting for new communities church planting in pennsylvania Communion elements community Community worship doctor of ministry education faith and politics fasting Festivals and holy days Good Samaritan Lent master of divinity mdiv alumni mdiv program mdiv program and social work MDiv program Pittsburgh ministry Ministry conferences and events Mission reflections mission trip pastoral care pastoral counseling Pastoral vocation PCUSA Seminary community seminary experience Seminary experiences sermon writing tips Social justice Spiritual journeys St. Patrick theological education theology and social work Urban ministry Volunteering Women in ministry world mission World Mission Initiative Youth ministry

Top Posts and Pages

  • Is Jesus Coming Back Last Week?
    Is Jesus Coming Back Last Week?
  • Holistic Preparation for Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
    Holistic Preparation for Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
  • Prayer in the Community
    Prayer in the Community
  • Ministry and Social Media: 5 tools, 5 minutes each
    Ministry and Social Media: 5 tools, 5 minutes each
  • Who Is My Neighbor? Fr. Michael Sorial on Parish Fellowship as Christ's Healing Ointment
    Who Is My Neighbor? Fr. Michael Sorial on Parish Fellowship as Christ's Healing Ointment
  • Who Is My Neighbor? - The Rev. Antonio Lawrence on Prophetic Problem Solving and Bi-Vocational Ministry
    Who Is My Neighbor? - The Rev. Antonio Lawrence on Prophetic Problem Solving and Bi-Vocational Ministry

Subscribe to Blog via E-mail

Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail.

© 2025 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme