Wednesday, February 6, 2008




PRISON MINISTRY FORUM (CPC Jan 12, 2008) BREAKOUT POINTS
A letter to my church brotherhood:

Whereas the recidivism rate on re-entry is the same for Christians as for non-Christians (now approaching 85%) and whereas the releasee must return to his/her old neighborhood and the “friends” who prompted the original criminal behavior, it is critical that the church body come aside the family as a counterforce.

Neither the criminal justice system nor the home environments have proven helpful. The large majority of those released were sentenced for non-violent crimes and have completed their time, yet within two years most will be returned to prison on a technical “violation”, related to the lack of mentorship, family support, and inability to obtain or keep a job.

John Wesley defined true religion as love for God and neighbor. Wesley considered regular visitations of and friendship with the poor and imprisoned as essential to discipleship as prayer and Holy Communion. Ministry with offenders and victims, then, is not optional; it is mandatory if the church is to be the church. The church has no choice but to cast its lot with the ostracized, victimized, and marginalized.


Consequently, as part of the Great Commission, it is likely a Christian imperative that each of us pledges to share our unique God given gifts with some family at this church or in this Monterey county who God loves and desperately needs our help. (In the 4 months of this ministry, the number speaking transparently of incarceration in their family swelled for “1” to “22”).


I believe each of you will identify one (or more) roles (as a team member) that you we might call upon when the need arises? Won’t you return this form to me with your pledge within the next day?


Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth," (I John 3:18).

For the prisoner:

o In-Prison Ministry. Unleashing Christ’s power in prisoners’ lives through “transformational discipleship.”
o An adopting church (policy, staff, membership)
o Prayer teams
o PenPal
o Visitations from church body
o Bibles and other Christian books
o AngelTree
o Training for re-entry. Koinonia, Kairos, etc
o Mentorship on re-entry (spiritual, physical, emotional”
o Rehab on re-entry (alcohol, drugs, pornography, sexual)
o Job training and opportunities
o Counseling (Mental health, marriage, parenting, employment, social, etc)
o Mediation: Victim repayment
o Transitional housing
For the family left behind.
o A welcoming church (staff, deacons, membership)
o Emergency food
o Financial aid
o Housing
o Healthy relationships as Covenant Small Groups
o Child care
o Secondhand clothing
o Transportation
o Job training
o Schools (tutoring)
o Social services, legal services, medical and dental Rx
o Business counseling
o Household help
o Respite care
o Fellowship (small groups, membership)
o Prayer warrior team
o Loving mentors (professionals, membership)

“Take tender care of those who are weak; and be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else. Always keep on praying. For this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes 5:14-19)

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