Prison Care

Today was a rather overwhelming and eye-opening day. For my Pastoral Care class, we were required to visit a pastoral care site that is out of our comfort zones and then write a paper about it. Sam and I decided to visit the Marion Correctional Institution, and that visit was today.

When we drove to the prison, we pulled up to a small modern building with some barbed wire, but it looked pretty modern. We went inside and the woman at the desk told us that the prison was the next building over. When we went back out to the car, we looked over to see a huge building with two layers of barbed wire around it. The weather was cold and dank, which made the prison look rather scary. We drove up, parked, and walked in wondering what on earth we had just gotten ourselves into. We certainly succeeded in finding an environment where we were uncomfortable.

After we went through security, the chaplain met us and took us on a bit of a tour. We went through the doors, which are in a system of two doors that only one can be open at a time. The first place we visited was the visitors room. Here, we met the guards and listened to the interactions between the chaplain and guards. They joked around a bit, and the guards pointed out a man who was Muslim and was doing his daily prayers, which is against the rules in the visiting room. The guards and chaplain decided to not interrupt his prayers but just to say something to him as he left.

After the visiting room, we saw rooms for haircuts and many offices. We went through another set of doors and for the first time were in the presence of several inmates. They were walking up and down the halls, just as we were. When we went into the infirmary, the inmates who sat in the waiting room stared at us, which was a bit uncomfortable.

After this part of the tour, we went and sat with the chaplain in his office as he explained some of the ins and outs of prison ministry. We discussed ministry in general also. The chaplain we spoke to was the head chaplain of the prison, and several people come in for the many religious groups. They have services for Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews, Native Americans, Amish, Wiccans, Buddhists, and more. This chaplain, as head chaplain, interacts with all groups. He studied world religions at one time and knows enough about each group to speak to them from their world views. I was very impressed that through his inter-faith work, he NEVER compromised what he believes as a Christian. He can minister effectively to all groups. He can speak to them from their traditions and often knew more about the traditions than the practitioners, but he would never compromise his belief that Jesus Christ is the only way. He has always been drawn to the broken, and somehow God just gave him the gifts and led him to this type of ministry.

We also discussed some of the issues that come up in pastoral care in a prison setting. He explained that these people have done many things. They have murdered, stolen, raped, done drugs, and many other things. He ministers to people who have done things that he knows as abhorrent. He also said to us, "Everybody else has judged these people already. My job is for compassion, caring, loving, and healing." He explained that his job is often to be a peacemaker. He connects the offenders to their families through the phone and will do counseling to make peace. He helps them when they miss funerals of loved ones. He talks with them when they are once again denied parole. He has organized weddings and done funerals. He is responsible at least every other day to tell loved ones that a inmate has died or is dying. He even has done funerals where nobody from outside even felt the need to come. He deals with the hopelessness of everyday life, where parole is denied over and over, where they see the same walls day after day and become empty shells. He tries to give hope that is in Jesus to these people.

We also saw the chapel which has a curtain that is opened or closed over the crucifix for each type of service. It looked like and chapel that you might visit except that the pews were old. There is a garden which was beautiful even in February where the prisoners can work and pray. Some can even have vegetable gardens that they raise from seeds. This is part of the ministry.

One of the unique programs that they have is a 10 month program of inter-faith community living. It is a particular dorm where everybody is in this program. They have 8 cubicles in the room with 6 beds each. People from all religions can enter this program, and they have a community. They meet daily, often eat together, and live together. The rate of return to prison once somebody who went through that living space is released is only about 12 percent. When we visited this room, we spoke with two inmates who told us about the system and how it works. One of them positively glowed as he told us about it. He showed us the poster they designed for their group with all their names on a pillar above the name of Jesus as the foundation of the building.

As we walked up the halls to take the rest of our tour, people constantly greeted the chaplain as he greeted them. They would say "Hi Pastor" or "Hello Reverend Kola." He would greet people back, often by name. He explained to us that Jesus walked the streets; he did not sit in his office and wait for people to come to him. Because Jesus went to the people, to the broken, the chaplain is following his example. We visited the library, the computer classes, the television station, and many more places as we toured.

The last part of our time in prison was with a group in the chaplain's office area. The Catholic seminary down the street sends some of their students for several months to the prison to learn about that kind of ministry. A group of up to fifteen inmates meet with these three young men each week. These future priests learn about the people in the prison and learn about the ministries needed. How can you help somebody if you do not know them? Sam and I got to sit in on some of that session.

We sat with these men, some of whom have been there for longer than I have been alive. One of them just got told by his parole board that he has at least another ten years, even though he has done everything that they asked of him. As we listened, we heard about the many ministries that they have been involved in. We heard about the Christmas and Easter plays, the Bible studies, the worships, and the celebrity visitors. We sat and listened to men who seemed no different from a man I might talk to in the fellowship hall at church. This man, who got told he has another ten years, could very easily be my doctor or the usher. Ye, whatever he did was so bad that he has been there for a long time and will be for a long time yet. These are real people who can change, who have done something wrong, but can change and do. They are living proof of rehabilitation and forgiveness and hope.

We listened as the chaplain spoke about post-prison ministry. Many people, like these men, get released and go to the churches and the pastors, but they don't have the support that they need to stay out of the prison. They are broken and they need help, but the ministries don't really exist often. Why are we not helping those people in our churches? Why are we not giving them he resources they need to learn to be different? It does not good to put a bank robber in prison and let him out still a bank robber. This is what prison ministry is for. Someday, the five of us, three Catholics, on Baptist, and one Methodist, will be in a church where somebody is released from prison. How will we minister to them? How will we minister to the families who lose a child or father or mother to prison? We need to be thinking about these things, because it is very important.

I definitely learned a lot from this experience. I was a little uncomfortable with being constantly stared at by the inmates, but I learned a lot. I think this will be one of those days that I can look back at and know that it will have changed me. It will affect my future ministry. I will always remember the idea that they have already been judged by society and we are here for compassion, love and healing. They are the broken, and we are here to help with the healing and point to the hope that is Jesus.

So you're called...

I decided to write this post today for several reasons. 1) I badly needed a break from reading encyclopedia articles about sacraments, 2) I haven't written since September, 3) I realized that a lot of teenagers or young adults with calls have no idea what to do next, and 4) I did a quick google search and discovered that I found very little to help outside the excerpts from the Book of Discipline. So let me make it clear what I want to write about today. I am talking to Christians who have had a call to full time ministry. I am specifically speaking from my experience as a 23 year old United Methodist who was called when she was 12. I don't know how many people currently read my blog, but I have found information by reading random people's blogs before, so I decided to write a bit about my experiences.

So, are you called into ministry? Are you United Methodist? Are you young and have no clue what to do next? Here is the advice that I have gathered over the years, both from personal experience and from the many many people who love to give advice.

First thing to do is talk to your pastor. Now this seems self-evident, but a lot of people don't start here. Your pastor has done this before, has connections, and hopefully has some idea of how to get started on this long and complicated process. When you talk to your pastor, tell them about your call. Discuss it, and they can help you into the next step.

Second, call your district superintendent. Here is where the fun begins. District Superintendents are very busy people with a lot on their plate. You may have the best DS in the world, but they cannot devote all their time to helping you through the process. Help them by knowing what to do. You should tell them that you wish to start the discernment process. You want a mentor, and you was to discuss with that mentor the book "Christian as Minister." This will get you started.

Now, before we proceed, you must know two very important things. First, keep a copy of every single piece of paper that has anything to do with the process. People have had to start over because paperwork is lost. It is your responsibility to keep a back-up copy. Keep it until after you get a stole placed around your neck at Annual Conference. Second, keep on your district and conference. As I said before, they are busy, and so sometimes things fall through the cracks. If you are called, they want you. If you are called and young, they want you even more. However, you still have to fight to move forward in the process, every step of the way. Sometimes, this may mean a weekly e-mail, and sometimes it may mean driving to the office and standing there until you have the paperwork you need. If you are a teenager, lucky you! Your parents can help in this. If you are an adult, take the initiative. It takes time, and it takes many e-mails and phone calls. Remember, one day that could be you who is an overwhelmed pastor. Also remember, if you are called, they really do want you. Sometimes you just have to remind them you are there among the many ministry things that they are working on.

After you have a mentor and have read "Christian as Minister," the discernment process moves forward. Now, this has changed since I did it, so I cannot give you details. I can tell you, DO NOT skimp on the discernment step. It is not worth it to rush through and discover ten years later that your call is different. I have seen it happen, and it is not fun. You may be positive of your call, but remember, you still need to learn how to articulate it to a bunch of pastors and laity who will determine your fate. If you cannot articulate your call, how can they believe that you truly have one? Tell your story often, and write it down a few times too. You will need it, and you will need to be comfortable with it. The discernment process can help with all these things.

If you are still in high school or middle school, watch for events that your conference sets up specifically for teens and discernment. I went to several of these. Sometimes I learned, sometimes I networked, and sometimes I met other people like me. You will discover that it is very unusual to be 12, 15, or even 17 and know that you are going to be a pastor. Remember, others are out there, you just have to find them. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

When you look at colleges, be sure to find the one where you feel comfortable. When choosing a major, be sure of 2 things. 1) Learn to write well. 2) Do what you love. You do not need a Religious Studies, Religion, or Theology major, though I won't lie, having Bible classes from Undergrad. has helped me in seminary.

If you are in college, remember the same things. Look for campus ministries aimed at people who are looking into ministry. Talk to your chaplain about starting one. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

When you look at seminary, look at the denomination, the theological statements, and all the same things that you looked for in a college. Do you want a seminary connected to other graduate schools or one that is small and off by itself? Where are you happy? Where can you fit?

Seminary for me has been amazing. For the first time, I am surrounded by people who are like me. We all have calls. Many of us plan to be pastors. Some of us even have the calls from early in life. For the first time, I am constantly reminded that I am not alone. I had some reminders early in life, but today, I am with them all the time. I AM NOT ALONE.

One semester in and 2 1/2 years to go. Expect more updates in the ins and outs of the process. Remember, if you are called young, you do get there eventually. It takes a long time, but all along the way there are others going through the same things that you are doing. They are having the same struggles, same fights. They might be with God, with family, with friends, or with the church. Remember your call, stick with God, and you will get there.