Cokesbury - Disciple Prison Ministry

Disciple Prison Ministry

Dear disciple,

Thank you for your interest in using Disciple Bible study in a prison setting. Disciple is about transformation, not just information, and therefore has become a powerful resource for outreach ministry. As you consider a Disciple prison ministry, it is important to take note of several realities. Please consider these as you plan and pray about this important ministry.

A Disciple prison ministry requires careful planning and approval from both the local church and the agency sponsoring the ministry, as well as from the prison authorities where the studies will take place.
Prisons require volunteers to complete an application form and submit to a criminal background check prior to approval as a volunteer.
The scheduling of a time and place for the study, the recruitment of inmates for classes, and the ongoing supervision of prisoners will require the help and cooperation of correctional staff.
In prisons where there is a chaplain on staff, you’ll want to coordinate your activities through this person. It is important to develop a relationship with the prison chaplain and to respect his or her authority as the person responsible for the spiritual needs of the inmate population.
In prison, the Disciple program operates much as it does in the local church. However, be aware that you are in a controlled environment. Respect those responsible for your safety. There are times when your class will be interrupted for security reasons or affected by other issues unique to correctional settings.
To be involved in prison ministry, you must agree to follow all training procedures, rules, and regulations mandated by the prison or the sponsoring church or agency.

Beyond these specific issues and suggestions, be aware that a Disciple prison ministry will only be effective if you and your group have planned for the long term. The prison authorities—especially the chaplain—need to trust that your church or conference is making a continuing commitment. Your initial plan should include which units of Disciple you’re going to lead after the first one, how soon after you’ve finished the first unit you plan to start the second, and who is committed to teaching not just the first unit, but the second and third units as well.

Recruiting the initial group of participants from the prison population will require laying some groundwork. If a church is already engaged in a mentoring or pen-pal ministry at the prison, then participants in those programs can become part of the core group. Barring that, look for a pastor in your area who regularly visits the prison, and ask his or her help in recruiting participants.

I hope this information is helpful. Our organization has been doing Disciple in correctional settings since 1999. In addition, we have worked in juvenile facilities since 2002 with our “Rings of Fellowship” ministry. If I can help by providing additional information, please feel free to contact me or visit our website.

May God richly bless you as you minister in Christ’s name,

Mark Hicks

Dr. Mark Hicks, Executive Director

Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries of North Carolina, Inc.

P.O. Box 370

Jamestown, NC 27282

(336) 454-5348
www.disciplebibleoutreach.org

Resources (Available at Cokesbury)

For Correctional Ministry

Adult Prison Facilities:
DISCIPLE Bible Study Series, I-IV
Abingdon Press

Juvenile Facilities:
Rings of Fellowship Bible Study
DISCIPLE Bible Outreach Ministries of North Carolina, Inc.

For Additional Reading

I Was in Prison: United Methodist Perspectives on Prison Ministry
Edited by Shopshire, Hicks, and Stoglin
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church

The Tie That Binds: Connecting with God, the Church, and the World
by Richard B. Wilke
Abingdon Press