Canadian Mennonite University

Buetta Warkentin she/her

Associate Professor of Social Work & Field Education Coordinator

Buetta Warkentin

Program(s)Social Work

Emailbwarkentin:@:cmu.ca

Phone204.487.3300 x633

Office332

Buetta Warkentin is a seasoned social work educator, with almost 20 years of experience preparing students for professional social work practice. Prior to entering academics, Buetta was engaged as a social worker in various capacities with children, youth, and their families. Buetta has taught a wide variety of social work practice and theory courses over the years, and has a particular interest in the intersection of spirituality, religion and social work. She is on the board of the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work and the board and Continuing Competence committee with the Manitoba College for Registered Social Workers. 

In addition to teaching various social work courses at CMU, Buetta is the Field Education Coordinator, building relationships with community agencies and matching students with field placements that will allow them to develop the professional skills, knowledge and values to become practicing social workers. 

Buetta is a graduate of Canadian Mennonite Bible College with a Bachelor of Theology, and values this foundational education as the impetus for completing Masters degrees in both Social Work and Theological Studies. The ethical integration of spirituality/religion/faith and social work practice continues to be a focus of research for Buetta. Buetta grew up in southern Ontario, and is married to Curt, another CMBC grad. They have two adult children and attend Home Street Mennonite Church. 

Areas of Teaching

Social Work Skills and Theory, Spirituality and Social Work, Field Education

Education

MSW, Wilfrid Laurier University (1998); MTS, Waterloo Lutheran Seminary (1998); BA, University of Manitoba (1994), BTh Canadian Mennonite Bible College (1991)

Work in Detail

Teaching

At previous institutions I have taught courses including: 

Research

Warkentin, B., Sottie, C., & Sawatsky, S. (2023) "It's not about imposing what I believe or what I value": Social workers' personal reflections on religion and spirituality and their influence on practice. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 42(4), 393-410. 

Warkentin, B., & Sawatsky, A. (2018).  Points of discourse: Reconciling Christianity and social work through critical theory.  Social Work and Christianity 45(2), 57-67.   

Warkentin, B. (2018).  Spiritual but not religious: The fine line between the sacred and the secular on the Camino de Santiago.  Social Work and Christianity 45(1), 109-121.   

Warkentin, B. (2017).  Teaching social work with groups: Integrating didactic, experiential and reflective learning.  Social Work with Groups 40(3), 233-243.

Steiner, S., Warkentin, B., Smith, M. (2011).  Community forums: A unique approach to Community service learning.  Canadian Journal of Education 34(1). 

Schwartz, K.D., Warkentin, B., Wilkinson, W.  (2008).  Faith-based social services in North America: A comparison of American and Canadian religious history and initiative.  Social Work and Christianity 35(2) 123-147. 

Printed from: www.cmu.ca/about/faculty/581