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Post by Josh Parsley on Feb 9, 2006 12:37:21 GMT -5
I will be going to an orientation an my county jail soon so that I can come and minister. I'm just wondering if any of you have worked in the prison/jail atmosphere before? If so, would you share your thoughts on it?
Thanks.
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Post by messengermicah on Feb 9, 2006 13:11:13 GMT -5
At my old church I was in charge of the prison/jail ministry for 8 years. A great opportunity. Open air preaching is like fishing in the ocean. Prison ministry is like shooting fish in a fish bowl. You have a captive audience (no pun intended).
Many of the guys in prison read and study the bible but usually they hear a lot of the TBN message. A few years ago I was invited to a prison to preach and I really destroyed the false gospel message and many guys were really appreciative and receptive, and others were very convicted and asked for prayer.
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Post by Juli on Mar 19, 2006 20:04:10 GMT -5
I've worked with women, not men, in jail. My random thoughts: they spend the bulk of their days watching TBN and TV preachers, fill their heads with false doctrine. Many of them are aware of "jailhouse faith" syndrome, but will try to convince you they aren't just looking to God for a way out of their problems. Some read their Bibles, but you can really see, after time, who is seeking and who is faking. Like people on the outside, they are consumed with their own world, their own problems, (of course these include legal, family, etc.) It is hard to get them to shift their focus to their spiritual condition. They want a sympathetic ear, most seem to think prayer is good and beneficial (but they want YOU to pray, they won't do it themselves most of the time), and often they love and know the worship songs if you bring some in. All this can be heart-felt for a few, but it can also be a show for the majority. (many are called, few chosen)
They want out of their cells, bottom line, and if they have to sit and hear someone talk about Jesus to do it, they will. I did notice however that once I started bringing in teachings on holiness, daily Bible study, prayer without asking God to do something for them, forgiveness, etc. many lost interest quickly. I moved beyond the "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" and onto the "taking up your cross" and they weren't ready because they weren't believers. I had shared the gospel with them already, and in retrospect, perhaps I should have just kept giving the same message week after week. But I guess I was thinking at the time that if even one had made the decision to follow Christ, then I needed to help them in their first steps. Some made such professions, but few showed fruit in the coming weeks afterwards.
They CAN be manipulative, and those in jail ministry definately need to be discerning. Some other things I learned: Never give out any personal information about yourself (last name, address, where you go to church, etc.) Follow the rules of the jail/prison you will be in out of respect. Of course be respectful to the guards and those in authority at the jail - they can make your time there difficult if they think you are a "holier than thou" church person. I always tried to share with the guards too.
There are certainly a fair share of those inmates with demon possession/oppression to various degrees, wolves in sheep's clothing, agnostics, cult followers, witches and those in the occult, gang members, people with histories of sexual abuse, emotional disturbances, etc. Basically you see it all if you do it long enough. I found it easier NOT to know why they were in there, and if they tried to tell me I would stop them and say "I don't need to know why you are here - my message is still the same" One time I found out why one woman was in there (she was on the news and had severely beaten and neglected her infant child) and it was very hard for me to look at her in the same way. After that, I understood why someone who had done jail ministry for years gave me the advice they did - don't ask why they are in - you don't need to know.
I say all this not to discourage you, but to encourage you. There isn't another mission field like a prison. I would never go alone. Go in twos. This I learned the hard way - my partner decided to stop and I continued going in alone, and had many problems. I wasn't prepared spiritually and I really needed the support of someone else, prayerfully and emotionally. I am currently praying about going back in and the Lord raising up someone to go with me.
It is a VERY challenging ministry, and the blessing do abound. But it is hard, and you never know who or what will come through the door. Not much time for discipleship if you are in a jail, but in prison you can develop relationships with these people. You don't have the time in a jail, they move out so fast. They don't trust anyone, which is why "relationship evangelism" won't work (and never does really) I would give a short testimony when I first started, but eventually realized that women (not sure about men) LOVE stories, and it will get them off topic and babbling. So I stopped telling them "my story" and just hit them with the law, they never argue with it and most KNOW they are sinners. It actually will surprise you how many self-righteous are in prison too - they think they did nothing wrong. They agree as to what God's law is thought. All the analogies of the judge in the courtroom, etc. work GREAT with these people obviously. They definately relate more to parables, analogies, etc. Most of uneducated. So church words go over their head, but they won't tell you that out of pride. I had one women ask me what "obedience" meant though. And she had 5 kids. So I never assumed they knew any of the terms like atonement, sacrifice, legalism, sanctify, etc. You really have to use basic words as if you were talking to children. Word pictures work great.
Sorry to go on an on, but things kept coming to mind as I was typing! I hope some of this was helpful. Most of it is just stuff I learned. I'll be praying for you - God will bless your socks off and teach you much. PRAY PRAY PRAY!
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Post by Josh Parsley on Mar 19, 2006 20:51:35 GMT -5
Don't be sorry one bit! Thank you so much for taking the time to write so much. I have not been able to go because the tour was postponed due to bad weather and I have not heard when it is going to be rescheduled. I have ran into several on the streets that have just got out of jail. Also, I have a friend that goes frequently to the jail and he asked the guys if the knew who I was from the street and most of them did. I think it would be great because they would see me when they are in the jail, and when they are on the street! You can't run from the Word!
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Post by Jules on Mar 22, 2006 23:41:15 GMT -5
So, when it is rescheduled, get crackin' Josh! You're right, it really jacks people up when you are "following them around" with the gospel! God cracks me up how he does those divine appointments. I'll be praying for you brother. ..
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