Why we work in prisons
This article looks at the new ways in which Prison Fellowship is demonstrating the relevance of a Biblical approach in dealing with crime, and how the Church is uniquely poised to expand this opportunity.
In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus explains that when we visit those in prison, (as well as those who are hungry and sick) we actually encounter him. We are also warned, that in neglecting those in need we find ourselves alienated from God.
As Christians around Australia have followed this instruction, they have experienced this spiritual encounter within prison walls - they have also seen the practical relevance of biblical wisdom to the complex issue of crime.
GROWTH IN PRISON NUMBERS
The last few decades has seen an unprecedented influx of people into the corrections system. In 1990's the number of prisoners in Australia doubled as governments experimented with imprisonment as a deterrent to crime. As more small-time criminals were required to serve jail time, they became exposed to more serious criminals, more serious drugs and the techniques of crime.
Predictably, more of these inmates are returning to prison after completing short sentences for their original offence. In fact, this happens 6 times out of 10. This phenomenon is called recidivism - the tendency to return to jail.
It is easy to be angry about crime, and cynical about overflowing jails. But for Prison Fellowship it also represents an opportunity to introduce real solutions which focus on the deeper problems of the human condition.
THE CHURCH'S RESPONSE
People today are rightly frustrated and angered by the level of crime and the alarming trends towards a society that is producing more problems than it can solve. But it is exciting that the Church has the opportunity to lead the way in revealing the flip side of that story. We understand the problem of sin. We know the Good News, which is the missing piece to this puzzle.
Prison Fellowship is taking the lead in this area, and it seeks your support and your voice in seizing this opportunity.
As Prison Fellowship ministers to those who are captive in a physical prison, we find that they are captive in other ways. Captive to addictions or self-destructive behaviour, and imprisoned by their past.
As we share God's love, we find many of these people are also brokenhearted, blind, poor and crushed. To these people we repeat Jesus message of freedom - what we call the Good News.
As we see men and women transformed through this message, we realise that Jesus' proclaimation is still current. The only difference is that he uses us to deliver that message - by word and action.
As Christians around Australia have followed this instruction, they have experienced this spiritual encounter within prison walls - they have also seen the practical relevance of biblical wisdom to the complex issue of crime.
GROWTH IN PRISON NUMBERS
The last few decades has seen an unprecedented influx of people into the corrections system. In 1990's the number of prisoners in Australia doubled as governments experimented with imprisonment as a deterrent to crime. As more small-time criminals were required to serve jail time, they became exposed to more serious criminals, more serious drugs and the techniques of crime.
Predictably, more of these inmates are returning to prison after completing short sentences for their original offence. In fact, this happens 6 times out of 10. This phenomenon is called recidivism - the tendency to return to jail.
It is easy to be angry about crime, and cynical about overflowing jails. But for Prison Fellowship it also represents an opportunity to introduce real solutions which focus on the deeper problems of the human condition.
THE CHURCH'S RESPONSE
People today are rightly frustrated and angered by the level of crime and the alarming trends towards a society that is producing more problems than it can solve. But it is exciting that the Church has the opportunity to lead the way in revealing the flip side of that story. We understand the problem of sin. We know the Good News, which is the missing piece to this puzzle.
Prison Fellowship is taking the lead in this area, and it seeks your support and your voice in seizing this opportunity.
As Prison Fellowship ministers to those who are captive in a physical prison, we find that they are captive in other ways. Captive to addictions or self-destructive behaviour, and imprisoned by their past.
As we share God's love, we find many of these people are also brokenhearted, blind, poor and crushed. To these people we repeat Jesus message of freedom - what we call the Good News.
As we see men and women transformed through this message, we realise that Jesus' proclaimation is still current. The only difference is that he uses us to deliver that message - by word and action.
Last modified
2005-09-06 06:44 AM