The Problem with Preaching in Prison
Many Christians and churches feel some kind of call to ‘prison ministry’. The gospel says I was in prison and you visited me. So that’s OK, I suppose.
‘Prison ministry’ may take several forms: perhaps volunteering with an organisation like Prison Fellowship; perhaps attending regular worship in the chaplaincy, or helping with programmes like Alpha. Some intrepid individuals may offer their services as voluntary or assistant chaplains — a deeper level of commitment.
All this work is vitally important both to the morale and spiritual wellbeing of the prisoners and also to the capability of the prison chaplaincy. Staff chaplains are restricted in what they are allowed to do and say, whereas volunteers or community chaplains often have freer rein.
And prison chaplaincies can be great places to preach the gospel. Many prisoners are eager to respond to the call of Christ.
But, for a visiting speaker, two problems stem from this.
1. Pastoral follow-up within the prison is very difficult.
Jesus told us to make disciples, not to notch up responses.
Let’s say you take your team into a prison on Sunday morning to lead the service and ten people respond. They put their hands up and maybe come and chat with you afterwards over coffee. That’s…
