by Jack Murphy "Murf  The Surf"

There is no need for any prison chaplaincy program to be lacking in ministry materials such as Bibles, Life-Changing books, Bible study courses, VCRs, audio/visual tapes, or any of the other important tools needed to reach inmates with the Life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ!

It is absolutely unnecessary for prison Chaplains to be exhausted, frustrated, and forgotten, amongst ministers called of God to carry His message in the exciting arena of ministry behind prison bars.

For twenty years, as a prison inmate, I observed and participated prison chaplaincy programs. Over the past eight years, traveling with the Bill Glass Ministry, COPE, Chaplain Ray, Prison Fellowship, the Gospel Echoes, and several hundred other ministries, I've spoken to thousands of prisoners in over 500 prisons and have worked with hundreds of prison Chaplains across America!

Here are some interesting facts concerning prison ministry:

1. In most settings of incarceration the Chaplain and the chapel volunteers are going to be around much longer than the average inmate!

2. The Chaplain is responsible for all institutional religious programming. He is the authority in charge. The inmates are the flock. (This is a key point that volunteers must understand, regardless of the situation).

3. If the Chaplain is doing well, chances are, there will be an atmosphere of health throughout the religious programs. If the Chaplain is used up and frustrated, chances are opportunities for spiritual development will suffer.

4. Most volunteers are concerned with their own personal agenda and are little involved with the "bigger picture" the Chaplain directs.

5. Most chapels need materials: Bibles,  LifeChanging books, study courses, greeting cards, song books, office supplies, computers, televisions, VCRs, tapes, musical instruments, sound systems, coffee makers, a baptismal, or maybe a chapel itself!

6. If there ARE budgeted funds for Chaplains and religious programs, they are seldom adequate to meet the basic needs of a successful operation. This situation is getting worse nationwide!

The following ideas are taken from some of the nation's most effective prison chaplaincy operations. These are formats that produce quality, long-term results. These suggestions can be implemented by any Chaplain or persons working with prison and jail ministries.

The second suggestion is to formally organize this FELLOWSHIP into a separate VOLUNTEER MINISTRY. A tax-exempt ministry status can easily be obtained by Chaplain-appointed leaders of the volunteer group. Any conflict of interest between Institutional restrictions and Chaplains involvement in private ministries can easily be avoided. As an adviser to the volunteer ministry Board of Directors, the Chaplain will not compromise his/her job status, but will retain the reins to direct volunteer involvement.

A few of the far reaching benefits for such a group are:

1. FELLOWSHIP amongst people called to minister to prisoners and their families can be extremely rewarding in itself. (The attraction of the early church was the Joy, Unity, and Love displayed in the Believers that overcame personal difficulties and differences.).

2. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to minister to the Chaplain and his or her family.

3. The chapel activities and NEEDS can be shared and prayed over by the group.

4. Ministry NEEDS beyond the chaplaincy budget can be brainstormed and met through this collective group.

5. Banquets, fund-raising, purchase of needed ministry materials, seminars, training sessions, etc., can be managed by this group.

6. The support base will have more impact and influence than any single person or individual group.

Many such fellowship groups meet regularly at a central location. One ministry that assists numerous Chaplains in a metropolitan area meets in different locations so volunteers can conveniently get together at least once a month. Restaurants, church fellowship halls, homes, etc. are always available for meetings.

A typical format for such a gathering is:

7:00 a.m. Coffee, juice, Danish, or breakfast during fellowship time.

7:15 a.m. Opening prayer, personal testimony or teaching time.

7:30 a.m. A word from the Chaplain.

7:45 a.m. Chapel update, business, needs.

7:55 a.m. Closing prayer time.

8:00 a.m. Close.

For further information on VOLUNTEERS FOR VICTORIES, or how to:

1. Recruit and train volunteers.

2. Place Bibles and LifeChanging books in every inmate's hands.

3. Raise funds for ministry needs: salaries, budgets, supplies, etc.

4. Involve your church and others in your prison ministry, especially your prison volunteers.

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Created by Serge Taran.
Copyright © 1996, 1997 International Prison Ministry. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 11, 1999.