To Include Prison Ministry as Mission Program and Objective of the Synod

Preamble Our Savior clearly commands us to visit those in prison (Matt. 25:36–40).Jesus also asked us to serve those in prison while reading Isaiah 61:1 in the temple. This is a mission for all Christians and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) recognizes this ministry as a specific mission ministry with all its resources and strength, noting “reasons the program is so important”: Theological Foundation: Our Savior clearly asks us to visit those in prison. Mathew 25:36–40 reads, “‘I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” The Scriptures also tell us that Jesus asked us to serve those in prison when he spoke in the temple, reading Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God isupon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Sociological Foundation: We live in an age of mass incarceration. More Americans have been arrested and jailed than ever before in history. This means also a greater number living under correctional controls such as probation, parole, and court ordered supervision. Rehabilitation poses yet another problem, namely recidivism. Two thirds are rearrested within three years after release, four fifths within nine. Christian concern raises questions of societal safety as well. Almost 3 out of 4 households are burglarized at least once every 20 years. Theft without forcible entry impacts 9 out of 10 families. An effective prison ministry is needed, not only to address the spiritual needs of those who have committed crimes, but also to play an active role in their rehabilitation even after the day of their release. An effective prison ministry is equally concerned with both the criminal and the victims of crime. Furthermore, according to Synodical Resolution 6-10, adopted at the 1998 [sic; 1995] LCMS National Synodical Convention; The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, by way of the Synod, Districts, and congregations, endeavors to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with prisoners, ex-offenders, families of prisoners, prison staff, and victims of crime as it seeks to carry out “The Great Commission.” Our mission is to share the Gospel message of life and salvation in Jesus Christ with the incarcerated to reach the lost, strengthen the faith of Christian inmates, and encourage them in their faith- walk along with the recently released and those whose lives have been impacted by crime (LCMS Specialized Pastoral Ministry, “Prison and Jail Ministry Plan—‘Not Forgotten,’”files.lcms.org, Accessed March 16, 2023). This ministry is also historically important. The 1998 Synod convention adopted Res. 6-04A, “To Encourage Ministry to the Imprisoned, Ex-Offenders, Their Families, and to Victims of Crime,” referencing 1995 Res. 6-10, “To Emphasize Importance of Prison Ministry,” as a reminder that in some meaningful way the importance of “ministry to the imprisoned, ex-offenders, their families, and to victims of crime” would lead to a viable program providing this ministry on a large scale. Unfortunately, the resolution lost its champion because he was called to be with the Lord and there was no one at that time to take his place. There can be no mistake of the value and positive reasons why this ministry is important. Jesus himself spoke of this ministry when he was in the temple reciting the words of Isaiah 61:1. Matthew 25:36– 40 also speaks clearly that our Savior commands us to do this ministry. The Christology is high, perhaps as high as can be found in all the New Testament. The eschatological discourse in these verses, as Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs says, speaks to it ashe offers this prayer in his Concordia Commentary on Matthew 25 ([St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2018], 1362) and as the authors of the Lutheran Service Book (LSB), write “For Guidance in our Calling”: Lord God, You have Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet un trodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord (LSB, 311).

WHEREAS, 1995 Res. 6-10 was approved to emphasize the importance of prison ministry; and

WHEREAS, 1998 Res. 6-04Awasapproved to encourage ministry to the imprisoned, ex-offenders and families, and to victims of crime; and

WHEREAS, The Synod, empowered by the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament, is in a vital position to offer comfort and hope to people affected by crime so that they may share in reconciliation and abundant life; and

WHEREAS, The goal of the prison ministry program is to include and motivate the Church to seize Gospel opportunities and responsibilities to the imprisoned, ex-offenders, their families, and train persons for ministry with the above; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod include prison ministry as a mission program of the Synod and designate this as a mission objective; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod include prison ministry in their activities, provide recruiting and training; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod link this mission to all of its districts by providing a web page that will be a central information source for support of all the activities and programs of the mission.