I have been involved in different kinds of prisons over nearly four decades. In each facility God set my destiny as head chaplain. I was able to quickly recognize a need for administrative structure and leadership. Early on I used the epistle of Philemon to formulate a structure for the Christian prison ministry. (I suppose each faith group could adopt these perspectives) It provided me with the praxis[1], the framework, motive, and providential understanding for ministering to the inmate population. As we will see Paul had a structured vision for discipling the new believer from prison to promise of a new life in Christ.
We are going to look at several key aspects of this process discovered in Philemon. The first is,
Chaplaincy is Built on Relationships
The Lone Ranger is an American western television series that ran from 1949 to 1957, starring Clayton Moore with Jay Silverheels as Tonto. The live-action series initially featured Gerald Mohr as the episode narrator. Fred Foy served as both narrator and announcer of the radio series from 1948 to its finish and became announcer of the television version when story narration was dropped there. This was by far the highest-rated television program on the ABC network in the early 1950s and its first true “hit”. Even though he was called ‘lone’ he had his side-kick Tonto. The series always started simply. But there was always a battle to fight. On white horse, banded eyes, neat cowboy outfit, he would rear the horse high into the sky and shout, “Hi ho silver, away!” So, what does this have to do with the chaplain ministry?
I have watched many chaplains think they can supervise, develop, and operate the ministry by their own self. Refusing any suggestions to improve they would bullnose their way into a mess. Over the years of service and reading the book of Philemon I realized that Paul had grown wiser, surer of others in ministry, and open to allowing the church to make their own choices. So, I followed suit. I would observe the gifts and talents of the chaplains and place them in just the right place for success. Encouragement, allowing them to think for themselves, and always allowing them to try what they felt was best. Once they found trust they would do what I had previously asked, but they had neglected to do.
The opening of Philemon is a classic foundation for building a ministry. Paul provides several terms to describe the relationships that existed in the ministry as he pens the letter to Philemon. Recognizing and endorsing fellow prisoners of Christ. Not the incarcerated, not yet anyway. But those God has called to this ministry. To declare yourself a prisoner for Jesus Christ declares to the inmates and the world that you are there to stay and you are bound by His will for your life.
In my early stages of calling and growth I believed I could be another ‘Billy Graham.’ Attempting many aspects of ministry; missions, pastor, evangelism, church planting, God finally placed me into His calling for my life—prison ministry. The resounding confirmation came when the director of church planting told me that the funds were diminishing. I should try to find employment. At that time, I was a part-time cook in the local Jail. I was made aware of an opening for a counselor. While interviewing I was offered the full-time position of chaplain with a salary. From that day forward my face was set to be a prison chaplain. I became a ‘prisoner of Christ’ like Paul. I never turned back, never gave up, nor did I ever think to leave this ministry. My calling was set by God and nearly four decades later I am still in prison.
When recruiting chaplains, volunteers, or other types of ministry personnel, there must be a clear confirmation of their call and commitment to the ministry. It took time for me to be able to discern those who had the Hand of God on their life for prisons. This is the bond of successful harmony in prison ministry. A lead chaplain who identifies the bond servants of God for the ministry will develop close and enduring relationships for the many aspects of the ministry.
Not only was Paul spiritually bound but he was physically bound in prison with Onesimus. There is perhaps no better means for understanding inmates than having been incarcerated yourself. Unfortunately, the correction industry does not support the hiring of ex-offenders for many reasons. So, it will be important to make every effort to put yourself in the shoes of the inmates to provide more clarity and value for your ministry. Always look to them in love, always challenge them in their walk in Christ, always encourage them by giving them hope, and always disciple them to teach others. Most importantly, teach them clearly about the Gospel of Jesus Christ so they too may proclaim the eternal hope of the Gospel.
The courage of Paul to proclaim the Gospel brought many hours of incarceration and persecution. Being a bond servant to Christ he never retreated. Here is the weakness of the modern-day chaplain. As they say, “don’t rock the boat.’ At one point in early ministry, I had a confrontation with a Warden, his Captain and Lieutenant. The officers were showing pornographic videos with him knowing it but ignoring it. I told him they needed to be stopped. He challenged my authority to tell him what to do. I responded in a humble, stern voice, “But Warden, I speak for God in this Jail, He is the one telling you to stop.” I thought for sure I was done. He smiled and looked into my eyes saying, “You are going to be a great chaplain one day.’ He immediately stopped them. This is very simply the authority that comes from being the prisoner of Christ.
When these moments occur in your ministry there is a need to have fellow servants who will support your actions of authority. Do not lead by domination or intimidation. Let their voices be heard with vulnerability and acceptance. Always try speaking for the Lord, living in humble service, always seeking to minister to those behind bars. Many of those who will come by your side will provide you with great challenges, careful loving criticism, and being humble to help you in leadership.
Some of the other descriptions Paul provides in his Epistles for other ministers are “our brother, dearly beloved, fellow laborer, fellow soldier, fellow prisoner and fellow worker.” If we take time to analyze these terms, we begin to see a distinct pattern emerging from the text. Paul’s relationships were based on ministerial ties not social contacts. The term “fellow soldier” raises the bar for prison ministry because it sheds light on the fact that the ministry means the brethren waging a battle. Entering the prisons of our nation instantly places the chaplain into the battlefield of sin and redemption.
I must interject with a clear definition of ‘battle.’ Most men have a hormonal burst when challenged to fight. We are not talking about worldly battles. I am suggesting that the heart of this ministry is never easy or comfortable. There has hardly been a day that the enemy has not thrust the spear, spread rumors, or tried to chain my spirit in frustration. Often, I would arrive at home having churned over and over the mistakes I thought I made. Or the bad decisions I made. Or the gossip I heard. These are constant battles from those incarcerated. It has always been the men who God has sent to my side, fellow brethren, that have settled me, consoled me, challenged me, or encouraged me to continue the battle.
Chaplaincy depends on the relationships of warriors and esteemed co-laborers of the church. Without lay people and church leaders assisting the many chaplains across the nation the chaplaincy would be ineffective to say the least. A majority of the daily ministry in prison is performed by volunteers in corrections. There is nothing more precious to the Chaplain than his fellow laborers in the war behind the walls. The past COVID pandemic has certainly illustrated the fragile attempt at ministry without them.
Most valued are those co-workers who have had victories in their life waged by God, not them, as volunteers or chaplains. They do not back down or cringe in the face of persecution and are almost always honest when the pressure increases on them. These are the men and women Paul has called upon who ministered to him, assisted him, even though the entire community thought him a traitor, a fraud, etc. One thing I have always tried to do and encourage, elevate others, even train chaplains to be better chaplains than me because of my deep love and appreciation for them.
Therefore, chaplains absolutely must spend considerable amount of time developing these relationships if they want to have effectiveness. Many chaplains with the “lone ranger” attitude will become burned out by trying to do the entire ministry all the time. Or they will become burned up with the administration blaming them for their lack of collaborative efforts. Paul understood that the ministry depended on nurtured relationships of co-laborers in Christ.
The common bond in ministerial relationships for Paul was the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul saw the community in a uniquely spiritual fashion. He never sought to manipulate, deceive, or force the community into service. His heart was for prayer, faith in Christ and nurturing others to have the same. If the Chaplain keeps this focus, he too will find unbelievable support for his ministry and have a peace and grace that comes with like faith.
[1] Performance or application of skill, the practical side and application of something such as a professional skill, as opposed to its theory. Praxis for Prison Ministry
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