Vad är tro utan gärningar? En kvalitativ studie om ett frikyrkosamfunds sociala arbete i det sociala arbetets fält

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze how persons who are involved in social work in one denomination of the free church´s motivate their own and their own church's involvement in the work, and how they view their own church´s relationships with other actors in the field of social work and the importance of the work for the identity. We conducted six semi-structured interviews with people involved in social work of the church. The material in this study is based on previous research about the Swedish church and social work. The result of this study shows that the identity of the church is linked to its distinctive character, which is based on the spiritual aspect, its openness and their resources of volunteers. The study also shows that there is a contest of legitimacy and recognition in the field of social work. Due to the church´s Christian profiling they experience difficulty in gaining symbolic capital, which on the contrary is seen as an emblem within the church. Based on the empirical material the church also perceives itself as a complement with a lack of entrances, which results in a desire for the public sector to be more open to differences and cooperation.