Jails-Sunday Services, Bible Studies, and counseling are greatly needed in jails and prisons. Many in jails are short term and more minor offences while prisons are more long term and more serious offences. While ministering in jails and prisons is a very difficult ministry, it is very rewarding to see inmates turn to Christ. Many who have broken the law feel guilty and want to find forgiveness. They need to know that there is forgiveness and redemption through the shed blood of Christ. Others realize that what they did was wrong and want to mend their ways. They feel that they can’t change so why try. They need to know that we can become a new creature in Christ and there are people willing to help them. Often those let out of jail face problems they don’t know how to solve. Getting back home, reestablishing a residence, getting a job, etc. Many are afraid to face the unknown ahead and encouraged that someone who understands the process is willing to walk with them through the process. Families are inmates also struggle and need encouragement.
Posts Tagged ‘Church & Society’
Fifth Sunday of Pentecost-B
Para-church organizations–Ministry beyond the church In the beginning, para-church organizations to minister to the community were supported by the churches which provided oversight as well as supplying funds and volunteers. As a result, many church members were able to get training and experience through the programs. However, many churches no longer support the parachurch organizations and the organizations get very little support from individual churches, so they are often forced to draw their support from the community at large. As a result, churches often see them as competitors for money rather than as avenues for ministry and church members are finding few avenues to serve and no training in how to serve. Many para-church organizations can provide volunteer opportunities for members to serve God and often provide needed training. (see “The Important I”-LULU Press) If you are interested in serving Christ beyond the local church check with the local Salvation Army or other church related ministries to see what volunteer opportunities are available in your area.
Fifth Sunday of Pentecost-A-July 3
Parachurch Ministries– Ministry beyond the church In the past, many members learned to minister to others as they ministered to other members and to those who came to the church for help. Today, church members are so scattered they rarely know each other well and few people come to the church seeking help anymore. As a result members get little experience in ministering to others and few church members have the experience to help. Many problems in small churches do not warrant separate programs to deal with them, however many problems formerly associated with the inner-city are moving to the suburbs as the poor move to the suburbs where rent is cheaper, housing is better, and there is less violence. Many suburban and rural areas do not know how to deal with the problems and many problems are too big for individual churches to handle. As a result, many churches today have withdrawn from ministry to those around them so many community needs are not being met. Parachurch organizations have grown up to help, such as Habitat For Humanity, Crisis Pregnancy Centers, etc. to carry on ministries and to meet the unmet needs in the community.
Eighth Sunday of Epiphany-Feb 27
Lack of Parenting Skills-Many single mothers grew up in a dysfunctional family. As a result, they often did not have parental guidance and do not learn how to raise children, shop wisely, or keep house. In addition, many mothers and fathers in intact marriages grew up with parents who both worked and did not have time to teach them basic living skills. Many young mothers in the church could also benefit from the experience of older women. Older women who grew up in stable homes can provide guidance to young mothers, especially single mothers, through classes in budgeting, wise shopping and child care. In addition, many did not have any religious teaching while they were growing up. As they see church couples in stable marriages who love and care about each other, they will want to know more about the source of that love. It will open doors to telling about Christ who loved us enough that He was willing to die for us. (more suggestions for ministry are included in my books “A Servant’s Heart-In two parts A & B”
Fifth Sunday of Epiphany-Feb 6
Adult companionship-Many mothers of young children, especially single mothers and wives whose husbands work long hours or are away a lot, are isolated taking care of their children, especially if they don’t work and yearn for an adult to talk to. Many young married women may feel abandoned by their husbands who may have to work long hours or work more than one job to pay the bills. Many have no one to whom they can vent their frustration and may become frustrated with the kid’s constant demands, causing them to lash out at the kids. Those women often need temporary relief from the stress of child-care. The church can provide play dates where the mothers get together, and they can visit with the other mothers while they watch the kids together. Older Christian women can initiate friendships where they can get together with young mothers living near them when they put the kids down for their naps. The older women in the church can take young mothers in the church under their wing and minister to them, providing encouragement and comfort, as well as someone safe the mother can vent to.
Fourth Sunday of Epiphany-Jan 30
The Single Parent The sad fact is that there are more adults who are single in America today than those who are married. Many of those are single parents with young children. While being a single parent is widely accepted in our society today, it is not easy because it lacks the basic necessities for bringing up children. With a married couple, the man can work and the wife can take care of the kids. Our society has been infused with greed so many wives now work to provide the luxuries of life. As a result, our society now has adjusted to the new-found wealth when both parents to work, so two incomes has become a necessity, not just a luxury. That often forces women to work, even when they don’t want to. With single mothers, if the father remains nearby, the parents often fight over and often in the presence of the children. In addition, the majority of the children of single mothers lack a stable father and if the woman has a boyfriend, he often provides a very poor example of being a father and often doesn’t stay very long. Many of the problems of our society today stem directly from the lack of stable marriages in many homes. If these children are to grow up and establish stable families, they need Christian couples to work with them so both boys and girls, as well as their parent, can see a stable marriage relationship and how men and women should relate to each other.