August 1, 2006

“I was in prison and you visited me.” —Jesus

“I was in prison and you visited me,” said Jesus in the parable of the final judgment recorded in Matthew 25:36b. Jesus also had time for the thief crucified with him.

According to Acts 4–5, Peter and John were imprisoned for teaching about Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem. Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison to a congregation that had remembered him and sent him a gift (Philippians 4:18). These stories have been a mandate for Christians ever since—to remember those incarcerated, remember their humanity, and that they may possibly be Jesus.

Church founder Joseph Smith Jr. was arrested many times. He was imprisoned in Liberty Jail (Missouri) for about five months during 1838–1839. In May 1844, Joseph published his program as a United States presidential candidate in the Times and Seasons. His platform included prison reform.

Joseph advocated for responses to several crimes to include activities “where the culprit can be taught more wisdom and more virtue; and become more enlightened.” Joseph and his brother Hyrum were fatally shot by a mob while held in the Carthage, Illinois, jail in June 1844.

Going back to those early days of the church, concern about people held in prison and prison reform have been part of Community of Christ tradition. There continues to be a great need for such ministry and reform today.

Worth of All Persons

“We have so much to offer to the bruised and broken because of our knowledge of the worth of all people, which gives hope to the hopeless,” said Eleanor St. Clair, a prison minister in Ohio since 1993. Church planter and prison minister Frank Young also noted that “the call of our ministry is the worth of all persons.” He explained that this core value leads all involved in and touched by this type of ministry to be blessed.

Marti Resch, who has offered ministry in Kansas correctional facilities for 37 years, said that “loving people where they are” is key. Eleanor, Frank, and Marti have all encountered struggles in this ministry, but their joys outweigh the difficulties.

Eleanor said, “My accepting and respecting the inmates caused big problems for some of the guards.” But there have been many others who support her work with the inmates. She came to know an alcoholic inmate who was in jail on various occasions. One day she took Communion to him.

Eleanor said, “He shared things he never would have in a group. The Spirit present melted both of us to tears.” She told him, “God is calling you.” He has since been sober and is enrolled in college.

Frank and the staff at the church plant Community of Christ Center in Billings, Montana, have taken women from their program to as many reunions and World Church events as possible. Of the two women who went to reunion the first year, one had not seen her children for three years; for the other it had been seven. Frank said, “It was very emotionally intense for the parents and the children—also very rewarding.”

Frank recognizes that U.S. culture often responds to the people with whom he ministers with “just lock them up.” Most of the congregation’s participants have spent time in prison or are in recovery for addictions. Recidivism rates are high, and relapse is a typical part of addiction recovery. Second and third chances are a norm with this ministry.

Training and Trust

Marti explained that “this ministry is for those who have the capacity to love people where they are with no expectations for anything in return.” For her “it is a passion and one where I get far more in return than I can ever give.” Marti recognizes and encourages the many opportunities for related ministry: visiting, writing, and transitional support for parolees.

Prison ministers explain that proper training for all activities is paramount. Marti said, “You could very easily be taken advantage of if you don’t understand the prison system.” Inmates are in a setting that requires “street smarts” and some will exploit any vulnerabilities they sense. Frank said, “It’s not easy, but if you’ve got a heart for it miracles can happen.”

Proof resides in Otis Hardy, once serving two life sentences in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has been released and serves as a Community of Christ minister. In his testimony, featured in Seekers and Disciples (Herald House, 2003; www.CofChrist.org/seekers/), he admitted, “I was a con man in prison, working any game I could, just trying to stay alive.” When he was moved to accept Jesus Christ, he said, “The experience was so powerful that my life literally changed overnight.”

Marti noted that inmates figure “everybody has an angle” and she credits part of her effectiveness to the fact that inmates and prison officials have come to count on her sincerity. “They’ve known me for a long time,” she said.

Frank said, “It takes [inmates/parolees] a long time to trust you. Once they do, the Spirit can work in their lives in very powerful ways.” Eleanor knows her bond with inmates is because of a spirit of trust. “I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of being called to this rather than to just go because it is the thing to do,” said Eleanor. Marti echoes these thoughts but also said, “If more of us became involved, we could truly give inmates joy, hope, love, and peace!”

—Kendra Friend with Andrew Bolton reporting

The 2006 Peace Colloquy, October 27–29, will focus on restorative justice and prison ministry. A lunchtime meeting on October 28 will re-launch the Community of Christ Association for Ministry with the Confined. All Colloquy attendees interested in prison ministry are invited to attend and help shape the future of this support group.

For complete Colloquy details, visit www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy/  or contact your pastor about recent mailings. Register online or call (816) 521-3077.

August 2006 Community of Christ Herald Vol. 153 No. 8