HOW TO START A PRISON MINISTRY

The Personal Ministries Department in your church fosters this work.

The Personal Ministries Department should establish a Prison Ministry Outreach Service Department, which may very in size from 5 to 25 persons.

It is the responsibility of the Personal Ministries Leader to embark upon the following to start a Prison Ministry Team:
  1. Have a desire to follow the commission of Jesus – to visit those in prison.
  2. Survey the church to see who is interested in the work of Prison Ministry
  3. Solicit 5 to 25 members to be a part of the Prison Ministry Team.
  4. Organize for service.
  5. Contact the jail superintendent and set up an appointment to discuss a jail ministry for the inmates.
  6. Contact the Chaplain/Volunteer Coordinator to secure an appointed time to discuss your plans of setting up a Prison Ministry at his facility.
  7. Prison and jails will orientate you to the policies and rules that govern this facility.



HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR PRISON MINISTRY

The Coordinator:

  • Must be able to arrange compatible people to work together.
  • Meets with the Warden, Prison Chaplain, Volunteer Coordinator, or Jail Superintendent.
  • Liaison between the local church and the prison administration.


The Prison Counselor Leader:

  1. Implements the Prison Ministry Program that has been agreed upon.
  2. Evaluates his workers' progress and reports the work of the ministry to the Prison Ministry Leaders.
  3. Plans weekly programs.
  4. Supervises and adheres to all Correctional policies.



Music and Praise Leader:

  1. Must be strong and dynamic
  2. Songs chosen should be soul stirring
  3. Encourage inmates to form quartets and singing groups


Literature Secretary:

  1. Must be responsible for the literature tracks and Bibles to be used at Correctional Facilities.
  2. Keep records of Literature distribution and reports these distributions to the Personal Ministries Secretary


Recording Secretary:

  1. Keep record of spiritual aid extended to inmates, ex-offenders and their families.


Lay Preacher/Bible Instructor/Teacher:

  1. Should be two or more persons.
  2. Should be good Bible students
  3. Must be spiritual


The Lay Bible instructor should try to relate to the inmate on his level:

  1. The instructor should never talk down to the inmate.
  2. Relate to the inmate as an equal.


Wherever possible the circle seating arrangement should be used:

  1. This affords group interaction
  2. The instructor should encourage class participation rather than lecture-type classes.
  3. The key word in group participation is control.
  4. The teacher must always be in control of the class.