It’s clear Christians should engage in prison ministry, yet the thought can be overwhelming. Here are four ways your church can minister.
By Karen Swanson
A recent study from Lifeway Research found 84% of churchgoers agree Christians have a responsibility to minister to the incarcerated. A 2016 Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors found 95% of pastors agree that churches should provide resources and support for youth and adults leaving correctional ministries.
Jesus specifically states in Matthew 25:34-45 that when we provide food, beverage, clothing, shelter, and health care and visit those in prison, it’s as if we’re doing it to Jesus. It’s clear Christians should engage in prison ministry.
The term “prison ministry” brings with it the image of a person evangelizing inside a prison, but this is a limited view. Let me offer a more inclusive term and definition. “Correctional ministry” is showing and sharing the love of Jesus with those impacted by incarceration. Those impacted include youth in juvenile detention, people in jails and prisons, and the formerly incarcerated, along with their children and families.
“‘Correctional ministry’ is showing and sharing the love of Jesus with those impacted by incarceration.” — Karen Swanson Share on XThis mission field is in our own backyards (nearly every county in the U.S. has a jail), and many churches have churchgoers with a loved one incarcerated. Yet, the thought of engaging in correctional ministry can be overwhelming. Let me share four easy ways your church can minister to people impacted by incarceration.
1. Partner
Partnering with existing correctional ministries is a straightforward and effective way to address three of the common barriers pastors identified for not engaging in prison ministry: lack of training, lack of finances, and not knowing where to start.
Churchgoers have expressed interest in a variety of correctional ministries. They may just need to be presented with the opportunity to volunteer. To find local correction ministries, reach out to your local juvenile facility, jail, prison, and reentry programs or email the Correctional Ministries Institute for help identifying potential partners and their ministry needs.
2. Proximity
Start in your own congregation. More than 1 in 3 churchgoers (35%) report having an immediate family spend time in a jail, prison, or juvenile facility, and 45% have had a friend or acquaintance spend time in a jail, prison, or juvenile facility. Families “do time” on the outside as they experience shame, marginalization, and financial, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
“More than 1 in 3 churchgoers (35%) report having an immediate family spend time in a jail, prison, or juvenile facility, and 45% have had a friend or acquaintance spend time in a jail, prison, or juvenile facility.” — Karen Swanson Share on XChurches can journey alongside these families by showing acceptance and love and offering practical support by mentoring children, providing housing, food, employment leads, childcare, finances to facilitate communication with their loved ones, transportation for visits, and the ministry of presence by going to court with the family and providing hope and prayer. To help identify families in your congregation, invite people with an incarcerated loved one for prayer. Listen and help meet their needs.
3. Promote
Pastors and churchgoers report that prison ministry is often conducted by individuals rather than by a team or formal church ministry, and 75% of churchgoers have never been involved in a prison ministry. I was once one of the 75% until someone invited me to serve in a jail ministry.
Promote and empower individuals in your church who currently serve in correctional ministry by recognizing their specific ministry from the pulpit and giving opportunities for them to share with various church groups about the ministry and ways others can serve with them.
4. Welcome
Welcome formerly incarcerated people into your church. Most Churchgoers are comfortable with a formerly incarcerated person attending church (77%) and being in their small group (71%). Christians behind bars often experience vibrant worship and fellowship. After their release, they search for a welcoming church where they can grow in their faith and serve. Churches can use existing ministries such as Celebrate Recovery, small groups, men’s and women’s groups, youth groups, and support groups for post-incarcerated people to get connected.
Empower these youth, men, and women to use their spiritual gifts and serve by giving them opportunities. Provide spiritual friendships through mentors and small groups. Churches that minister inside a correctional facility can welcome those returning home to their church by having a point person who will sit with them and help them assimilate. You can also connect with local correctional chaplains or reentry ministries to identify those returning or already in the community to welcome to your church.
“Correctional ministry doesn’t have to be hard or expensive when partnering with existing correctional ministries. Simply serve those who are close to you.” — Karen Swanson Share on XCorrectional ministry doesn’t have to be hard or expensive when partnering with existing correctional ministries. Simply serve those who are close to you. Offer hospitality. Promote current volunteer opportunities. And welcome formerly incarcerated people into your congregation.
The Correctional Ministries Institute is happy to help you get started. Email us at [email protected].
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
