Download Ministry to Incarcerated

Ministry to
Incarcerated
Seventh-day
Adventists
Ministering to incarcerated SDA

“When you look at an
inmate’s “Tombstone
Data” …and there
happens to be a blank
space where it states
“Religion:” …chances
are that inmate is one
of ours (SDA)”
As Seventh-day Adventists
We believe:
1.
2.
3.
4.
We are the Remnant Church
We have the last day message
We are to fulfill the Great Commission
We believe in the Ten Commandments;
and live out the Fourth Commandment
5. We believe in Soul Sleep & Second
Coming of Jesus Christ
Tombstone Data
SDA Legacy
SDA’s are known for:
1. Excellent Bible/Scripture knowledge
2. Dietary adherence – Clean & Unclean
However;
 As SDA’s we lack compassion
 We are highly critical & non-forgiving
 Will we loose our inheritance…?
Adventist - Needs
Seventh-day Adventists need:
 Sabbath
times for worship (Sunset to Sunset)
 Strict Dietary adherence (complicated)
****************************
 As inmates don’t want to be seen as different
 Don’t to be treated differently
 Don’t want to stick out
 Don’t want clergy visits-ensuing retribution
Adventist – Needs
 Sabbath
(Contd.)
Worship
 Sabbath observance
 Bible Studies
 Devotions
 Pen Pals
 Visitations
(personal and volunteer ministry groups)
SDA Dietary Needs
►
►
►
Jewish faith dictates Kosher meats
Islam faith dictates Halal meats
And still more…Krishner, New Age etc..
SDA’s can be:
1. Vegan Diet (Total Vegetarian)
2. Lacto-ovo Diet (plant foods with Dairy &
Eggs)
3. Selective Omnivorous Diet (Clean meats)
Guidelines for the Dietary Requirements of Seventh-day Adventists in Public Institutions
These guidelines are provided to assist officials in public institutions in meeting the dietary requirements of Seventh-day Adventists.
BELIEFS
Two beliefs impact the dietary practice of Seventh-day Adventists:
Health as a responsibility.
The Bible affirms that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, we are to honor God by caring
for ourselves intelligently, partaking in moderation of that which is good and avoiding that which is harmful. This includes
abstaining from unclean foods, from all alcoholic beverages and tobacco in all its forms, and from the misuse of narcotics or
other drugs.
Conscience and choice.
Seventh-day Adventists also believe that God endowed humanity with intelligence and conscience, the capacity to discern His
revealed will and the power of choice to act upon conviction. We are accountable to Him for the wise exercise of these
capacities.
DIETARY OPTIONS
Based on these beliefs, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in practice sets a minimum dietary standard, but allows for informed
choice within a range of options. That range includes standards for three levels of dietary practice, as follows:
Minimum Required Dietary Practice (Selective Omnivorous Diet)
Includes use of plant foods and biblically "clean" meats such as poultry, beef, lamb and fish with fins and scales. Prohibited are
biblically "unclean" meats such as pork and its products, as well as seafood without fins and scales. (See Leviticus 11.)
This is the minimum required practice, but is not the recommended optimum diet
Recommended Dietary Practice (Lacto-ovo Vegetarian Diet)
Involves the use of plant foods, but includes moderate use of dairy and egg products, depending on personal taste and choice.
Emphasized is the use of grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables prepared in a simple, natural and attractive manner.
Alternative Dietary Practice (Total Vegetarian/Vegan Diet)
Involves the use of plant foods only. Can be a healthy diet if practiced intelligently, but requires
supplementation with Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Zinc or multiple vitamins or fortified foods.
Nutritional information is available, including the Position Statement on the Vegetarian Diet, The Vegetarian Food Pyramid and
The Total Plant Food Guide Pyramid.
SEVENTH-DAY
For consultation and information, contact the Department of Health Ministries,
ADVENTIST
Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters, 12501 Old Columbia Pike,
church
Silver Spring, MD 20904 • phone: 301-680-6702 • fax 301-680-6707
Case Study Facts – S.K
 During
original sentence had no visits
from the Pastor or Church members
 Made friends with a Muslim inmate and
met with the Imam…began to test the
waters of Islam
 During Stat Release re-offends and
brutally attacks a police dog in selfdefense
 Encouragement visitation by local
Church members while inmate in
hospital
Case Study Questions – S.K
 Will
the impact surrounding the inmate
affect the Church (Conference)?
 The fact he is severally injured by
almost gun shots by police in his
recapture, is he a threat to our safety?
 Why did the family speak out like that
in the media, they had no right?
 Has he really seen the light now?
 Can Prisoners really change?
Prison / Prisoners in Scripture
 Prison
is mentioned 84 times in Scripture
 42 times NT and 42 times OT
 Prisons is mentioned 3 times NT only
 Prisoner
is mentioned 13 times (2 OT/ 11 NT)
 Prisoners is mentioned 20 times (15 OT/5 NT)
 Grand
Total of 120 times in Scripture…?
Facts about Prisoners
 Technology
has already established that not
everyone who is in prison should be there!
 DNA Testing
 Many of us will be sentenced to prison
because of our religious beliefs!
 Prisons were designed to be a part of
Restorative Justice system – Once justice
has been paid in full the prisoner is restored
with lesson learned!
Luke 4:18-19
KJV
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he hath anointed me to
preach the gospel to the poor; he hath
sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the
Lord.”
Restorative Justice
• Restorative justice is a non-adversarial,
non-retributive approach to justice that
emphasizes healing in victims, meaningful
accountability of offenders, and the
involvement of citizens in creating
healthier, safer communities.
• Crime is a violation of people and
relationships. Restorative justice works to
repair the damage and promote healing
and growth -.important tools in finding
more peaceful and collaborative ways of
resolving conflicts in our society.
Restorative Justice
(Contd.)
• It strives to provide support and
opportunities for voluntary participation
and communication between those
affected - victims, offenders, and
community - to encourage accountability,
reparation, and movement towards
understanding, feelings of satisfaction,
healing and closure.
Prison Ministry
Prison Ministry is a vital ministry
To those forgotten men and women
behind the prison walls
We all know someone in prison or
have been in prison or someone
related or knows someone in prison
These are our brothers, sisters,
cousins, parents, uncles and aunts and
friends!
Jesus came and died for them as well
as us
Prevention
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

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We need to minister to our young now
Before they are incarcerated
We need to listen more and act more
We need to plan and make things right
And then we need to minister to the
incarcerated souls regardless of who they
are or what crimes they have committed!
FACT…!
• Jesus was a prisoner too!
• Convicted and sentenced to death for
crimes He did not commit
• Most of the disciples were imprisoned and
eventually killed for their beliefs
• What are you willing to do…?
Price paid in FULL!