How does faith exist in social services?
The quick answer: In both passive and active ways. The longer answer: The recent Congregations, Communities and Leadership Development Project, Directed by Ronald J. Sider and Heidi Rolland Unruh, asked the questions: How are religious beliefs and practices reflected in the structure and functions of social service programs? What are the range of ways that faith-based programs define and express their religious roots? The study identified the various elements by which faith-based ministries convey a religious character or message. These fall into two basic categories, Passive Environmental and Active Intentional efforts. Passive Environmental elements are institutional indicators of the religious nature or affiliation of the program. They create a religious environment or convey religious values without involving clients in personal interactions or activities having to do with religion. There are five types of environmental elements: Affiliation pertains to the historic or current link
