Opinion Pieces by Partners
The writings below are from current students, alumni, and Baylor University faculty and staff on topics within social work that impact congregations and communities:
COVID-19
Congregations and social work: Moving into the unexpected By: Julianna Marraccino
From disorientation to reorientation: Turning forced isolation into Sabbath experiences By: Julia Wallace
Hospitality: Easier to give than receive By: Brianna Childs
Local coalitions need congregations: A call to action By: Rachel Gillespie
Psychological impacts of pandemic distancing likely to linger By: Aaron Walling
Sabbath gives clarity during grief-filled pandemic By: Elizabeth Franklin
Seeing the unexpected: Connected congregations and social work By: Julianna Marraccino
Social distancing as an act of sacred mercy By: Erin Albin Hill
Sweat, tears, and the sea: How to endure loss in the pandemic By: True Head
The pandemic calls for innovative responses By: Jess Gregory
Justice
A problem in women's Bible studies By: Elizabeth Franklin
Coffee and crocheting: Calling for greater depths in women's ministries By: Elizabeth Franklin
Don't underestimate the power of little things By: Nataly Mora
Learning justice demands all of me By: Gaynor Yancey
Texas: Social Workers can refuse services to LGBTQ, Disabled By: Erin Albin Hill
Race Relations
After MLK Day and Black History Month, now what? By: Julianna Marraccino
Finding new life in the desert as a church becomes a place of healing for racial trauma By: Nataly Mora
How to stand in solidarity with people of color By: Adam Jones
Racial reconciliation must include trauma ministry By: Joy Moton
Shepherding Christians who want to pursue racial justice By: Adam Jones
Loving my neighbor in the Global South By: Juan Carlos Ezparza Ochoa
The power of a welcoming community By: Cynthia Aguilar
Resources for Congregations
3 habits help lonely people feel connected By: Cecily McIlwain
Discovering your community through the practice of the labyrinth By: Rachel Gillespie
Five ways congregations can care for their pastors By: Mahcoe Mikel
Spiritual care and first responders: Why bother? By: Heath Holland
Why you should view your words as expressions of love By: Lacey Fitch-Ondracek
Three ways churches can minister to international students By: Cynthia Aguilar
Pastoral care in the midst of natural disasters By: Nathan Patzke
Ministering to Christian and Non-Christian athletes By: Shelby Livingstone
Women in ministry vital to domestic violence response By: Geneece Goertzen
Spiritual Formation
Bigger: The sanctuary of nature and the presence of God By: Veronica Timbers
'Here I am' means being seen and refreshed by God By: Cecily McIlwant
How we can worship together through fear and hope By: Mahcoe Mikel
Love your neighbors but don't forget God and yourself By: Jackie Murphy
Naked and ashamed: American Christianity's purity culture and embodiment in the Church By: Alice Fry
Rebuilding deconstructed lives by Joy Moton
Spiritual formation: One season at a time By: Dr. Gaynor Yancey
Where is home for you? By: Dr. Gaynor Yancey
When clergy neglect good R&R By: Raul Balandrano
Meeting the Holy Spirit on broadway By: Kathleen Post
Trauma
After spiritual trauma, finding welcome in church once more By: Mallory Homeyer Herridge
Caring for others through trauma-sensitive language By: Brianna Childs
Compound collective trauma: Four ways ministry leaders can help By: Erin Albin Hill
Spiritual trauma and congregations: A missing link By: Jess Gregory
What collective trauma teaches congregations By: Erin Albin Hill
Why all congregational ministry should be trauma ministry By: Erin Albin Hill
How to respond to disaster trauma By: Kendall Ellis
What Eastertide resurrection tells us about healing from Trauma By: Kendall Ellis
Mental Health
Anorexia nervosa and the church's response By: Paige Grace
Creating safer faith communities for survivors of abuse By: Geneece Goertzen
How churches can support eating disorder recovery By: Paige Grace
Ministering to teenagers with depression By: Michael Owusu
How to walk alongside people recovering from addiction By: Lacey Fitch-Ondracek
Grief
How your child handles grief: Part 1 By: Karson Loomis
How your teen handles grief: Part 2 By: Karson Loomis
How to provide pastoral care for complicated grief By: Paige Shellhorse
Grief, the holidays, and the Church By: Julia Wallace
Four ways to help others through grief and mourning amid of social isolation By: Jacob George
Evangelicals aren't dealing well with grief By: Samuel Still