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GBOD Publishes Prison Ministry Tool Box

(June 28, 2007, GBOD) — GBOD's Discipleship Resources imprint has published a new prison ministry tool box to help congregations address the alarming increase in the U. S. prison population.

The Congregational Tool Box for Prison Ministry was created in response to a 2004 General Conference action related to providing restorative justice materials for United Methodist churches.

"The tool box encourages people to look at the whole criminal justice system, while providing practical, hands-on suggestions for ministry in the reality of our current prison system," says Betsey Heavner, the publication's author and compiler.

The Congregational Tool Box for Prison Ministry ($8.00) is available for download at www.upperroom.org.

"By engaging in and expanding our work in prison ministry, we are reclaiming that part of our Methodist heritage inspired by John Wesley's passion for those in prison," says GBOD top executive Karen Greenwaldt.

Churches that are serious about beginning restorative justice ministries or in retooling prison ministries will find helpful ways to care for those incarcerated and their families, provide for children, visit in prisons and bring justice and reconciliation in their communities.

The publication, which updates the Prison Ministry Guide, published in 1996, targets Christian communities and individuals who recognize God's call to be involved in ministries of justice and mercy.

"The 1996 Prison Ministry Guide was out of date. Yet we were getting requests for the guide on a weekly basis," says Heavner.

The Congregational Tool Box for Prison Ministry overviews criminal justice issues and presents some possible ways for churches to engage in prison ministry.

Justice Department statistics indicate that one in every 136 United States' residents was behind bars in the summer of 2005.

Although more prisons are being built, they cannot keep up with the dramatic increase in the number of people being incarcerated.

Congregational Tool Box for Prison Ministry content was compiled by Betsey Heavner and edited by George Donigian. Content reviewers and contributors included prison chaplains and restorative justice practitioners Pat Dunbar, Harmon Wray, Tom Porter, Cynthia Peters, Rich Stoglin, Mark Hicks, Ann Edgefield and Holly Hickson.

The 26-page resource includes the following chapters:

• Introduction to the Problem of a Growing Prison Population
• Raising Congregational Awareness for Ministering with Those in Prison
• Getting Started with Prison Ministry
• Seven Ways to Engage in Criminal Justice Work and Prison Ministry.

GBOD’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, ext. 7017.