The Center for Family and Community Ministries periodically hosts training opportunities to provide helpful and practical resources for family and community ministry leaders in congregations, denominational agencies, community ministries, and social service organizations.

Social Workers with Multiple Professional Identities: Ethical and Practical Implications
November 12, 11:30am-1:00pm
Bobo Spiritual Life Center
Panel: Dr. Diana Garland, Dr. Jon Singletary, and Dr. Gaynor Yancey
Social workers are often identified by other titles (such as Counselor, Chaplain, Community Organizer, etc.), and sometimes those titles reflect multiple professional identities. For example, social workers in congregations may be identified as "Community Minister" or "Pastor." Based on our students' questions as well as our own experience with dual degree programs in social work and divinity, this panel will discuss the ethical issues, challenges, and opportunities of dual professional identities over a collective span of 75 years. Please join us for this brown bag lunch! This is an ethics continuing education event, and free CEUs will be provided for Baylor School of Social Work alumni. For more information or to reserve a space please contact Sam Oakley at Sam_Oakley@baylor.edu or (254) 710-3781.

Here is a quick look at some of the workshops we have offered in the past:

Benevolence 101: Caring for the Least of These
Church office managers and administrative assistants are usually the first to field walk-in or telephone requests for financial and other assistance from persons in need in the community. Beth Kilpatrick and Heather Deal, graduate students in social work and divinity, led this discussion about caring for people in need with dignity and compassion. topics covered included information about poverty, ways to engage in conversations with clients, and safety issues. As part of the workshop, participants received a free copy of the "Walking Alongside Resource Manual," a comprehensive listing of faith-based and other services available to people in need in Waco. (Read More)

Domestic Violence 101
Church staff are often the first responders to incidents of violence that occur in families in their congregations and in their communities. This workshop offered training and information about available resources to pastors and other leaders from over 20 churches on how to help those who come to the church hurting as a result of domestic violence.

Loss and Congregational Response
Congregants experience a variety of losses and look to the church and church staff both for support and for intervention. Helen Harris, Senior Lecturer in the Baylor School of Social Work, shared about ways churches can offer understanding and be helpful for at least a year beyond the loss event (including death, adoption and foster care, divorce, illness, etc.).