Christ’s disciples are called to serve the least of these. But that may not include the least of those in prison and jails, a new study finds.
LifeWay Research surveyed 1,000 Protestant senior pastors and found that most of them — 83 percent — have visited a correctional facility and nearly all of them believe churches should be helping families of those behind bars. And 95 percent said churches should offer help to those being released.
Should, but often don’t.
LifeWay learned that “churches often lack the training or finances to run an effective prison ministry,”the Nashville-based organization reported. “So instead, the work is primarily done informally by individuals in the congregation.”
Meanwhile, many of the pastors said they have little or no contact with former inmates. A third said former inmates do not attend their church.
So prison ministry isn’t a priority, LifeWay’s Scott McConnell said.
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source: BCNN1.com
Discussion: Prison Ministry Isn’t A Priority For Most Churches was originally published on praisecleveland.com
