Equipping Your Church to Minister to Ex-Offenders

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Bureau of Justice Statistics report that within three years of release, about two-thirds (67.8 percent) of prisoners released in 2005 were rearrested, that within five years of release, about three-quarters (76.6 percent) of released prisoners were rearrested, and that of those prisoners who were rearrested, more than half (56.7 percent) were arrested by the end of the first year. This is an increase from a 1994 study that revealed that 62.5 percent of released prisoners were rearrested within three years. At least statistically, things have gotten worse for ex-offenders in this country. Many churches see the need to reach out to this beleaguered population. Though they may not have a dedicated ministry for ex-offenders, they often encounter them through other means, such as through homeless ministries, feeding programs, health care initiatives, or sitting in the pews during church service. However, how can a church, which has no experience dealing with recently released prisoners, more effectively reach out to this population? In many churches, guidance is needed to set up post-prison ministries. What is needed to begin? What resources will be required? This book, Equipping Your Church to Minister to Ex-Offenders, will answer those questions and more. This manual provides general Biblically-based guidance on starting a post-prison ministry in your church, whether directly within the church or as a separate ministry working with the local church. For those churches that already have post-prison ministries and they are not effective, this book may show you what you are missing. From establishing needs and goals, to preparation and operation, legal issues, dealing with pedophiles and sex offenders, and preparing spiritually, this book will be a practical guide for any church looking to successfully restore men and women recently released from prison back into their communities. For more resources, see the companion books Help! My Loved One is in Prison, and I Need A JOB! The Ex-Offenders Job Search Manual.