Church Engagement: An Introduction
The Christian community worldwide is compassionately engaged in ministry to the poor, the disadvantaged and the marginalised. Men, women and children in prison, those released from prison, and families on the outside, are rightly included amongst the needy and must be included in the ministry of the church.
Through acts of compassion and selfless service, thousands of Christians volunteer visit local prisons, support released prisoners and ministry to prisoners' families. Many of these volunteers are directly linked to a Prison Fellowship ministry in their country.
Yet the need is great. All around the world the use of prison as a punishment for crime is on the increase. The call remains for the church to rise up and seize the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to 'the least of these' (The Bible: Matthew 25 v34-40).
Church
Jesus called it serving "the least of these" Why and how should the Church be involved in prison ministry? Resources gathered from around the world encourage the church (clergy and laity) to engage in ministry to those impacted by crime. These include prisoners, ex-offenders, prisoners' families, victims and communities.
Church Engagement
Christians who voluntarily go into prison, or work on the outside with ex-offenders and prisoners' families, make up an army of carers demonstrating the love of Christ to the marginalised. The active involvement of the Christian community is vital for prison ministry. Such ministry would not exist in the form, breadth and depth that it does without the engagement of the Church. Resources to assist with engaging the church are found here.
For Clergy
Clergy is the term used here to define church leadership in whatever form that may take. It is recognised that across the Christian confessions and around the world different terms and phrases are used to define 'clergy'.
Clergy are key to engaging the church with prison ministry. This section contains information and materials designed to assist clergy and church leaders consider the issues of prison ministry and serving all of those affected by crime.
