Our Work of the Chaplain Passage for this episode is Matthew 18:10 which says, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
Our Work of the Chaplain quote for this episode is from Elisabeth Elliot. He said, “The clothes we wear are what people see. Only God can look on the heart. The outward signs are important. They reveal something of what is inside. If charity is there, it will become visible outwardly, but if you have no charitable feelings, you can still obey the command. Put it on as simply and consciously as you put on a coat. You choose it; you pick it up; you put it on. This is what you want to wear.”
In this podcast, we are going through the fine book: “The Work of the Chaplain” by Naomi K. Paget and Janet R. McCormack.
Our topic today is: Correctional and Prison Chaplaincy (Part 6)
— Ministry Tasks
As educators, correctional chaplains are often called upon to teach classes or facilitate support groups. They may teach seminars on grief recovery, stress or anger management, life skills, or conflict resolution. Depending on their faith tradition, they offer scriptural instruction, catechism classes, or discipleship programs. They teach inmates how to cope with their circumstances, prepare for employment, or get training or education for new jobs or vocations. In many cases, chaplains are also educators for the institution—teaching the staff and administrator some of the same skills.
In the correctional setting, the chaplain’s role as minister may seem less critical, but many prison chaplains also have the opportunity to organize religious services. They officiate at weddings and funerals and perform liturgical duties as required by their own denominations or faith traditions. They provide individual and corporate prayer for inmates and the institution.
Correctional chaplains are also crisis interventionists. They provide a calm presence in chaos. As inmates experience bad news—rejection for parole, divorce, or other crises that disrupt their emotional balance—chaplains are called upon to provide acute psychological support. They may engage in suicide intervention or assessment of referral needs. When there is crisis in the correctional institution, the chaplain is often the reminder that God, too, is present in the chaos. Finally, correctional chaplains act as a vital advocate for the inmates and liaison between the institution and the community of faith, raising awareness about the needs of the incarcerated and their families. They advise community clergy on matters pertaining to prison ministry and promote an understanding of how to assist inmates as they make the transition into the community after being confined. However, in their work with inmates and their families, correctional chaplains must be careful not to imply advocacy in terms of lawlessness, nor may they ever give legal, medical, or psychological advice.
If the Lord tarries His Coming and we live, we will continue learning about the Work of the Chaplain in our next podcast.
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— PRAYER —
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, here’s how.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God bless.
Daniel Whyte III has spoken in meetings across the United States and in over twenty-five foreign countries. He is the author of over forty books including the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and Amazon.com national bestseller, Letters to Young Black Men. He is also the president of Gospel Light Society International, a worldwide evangelistic ministry that reaches thousands with the Gospel each week, as well as president of Torch Ministries International, a Christian literature ministry.
He is heard by thousands each week on his radio broadcasts/podcasts, which include: The Prayer Motivator Devotional, The Prayer Motivator Minute, as well as Gospel Light Minute X, the Gospel Light Minute, the Sunday Evening Evangelistic Message, the Prophet Daniel’s Report, the Second Coming Watch Update and the Soul-Winning Motivator, among others.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Bethany Divinity College, a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Texas Wesleyan University, a Master’s degree in Religion, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Theology degree from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity (formerly Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary). He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree.
He has been married to the former Meriqua Althea Dixon, of Christiana, Jamaica since 1987. God has blessed their union with seven children.
BCNN1 WP 