Four Reasons for Education in Reentry Ministry Send To Printer | Close Window

By Dr. Karen Swanson

The current practice in correctional ministries is that if someone has a Bible and a passion to serve then they are considered qualified to minister with offenders or ex-offenders. I think we need to challenge this practice and raise the bar in our profession through education. I propose four reasons for enrolling in college accredited courses in reentry ministry.

1. To pursue excellence. Colossians 3: 23 states, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men. We should prepare ourselves to provide quality ministry to those we serve. Missionaries going to a foreign country prepare by attending language school, learning the culture and the country before they begin their ministry. Why would this be any different for those working in jails, prisons, or reentry ministries? In addition, the people served in reentry ministry are created in the image of God and deserve our best efforts.

2. To combine experience with education. Many ministry workers have learned through their experiences which is valuable, but without education it is limiting. For example, how many reentry ministries operate using evidenced-based practices or are familiar with them? Evidenced based practice refers to programs that have been shown to reduce recidivism. These practices are not learned through experience but through education and experience.

Attending training sessions are helpful but taking college accredited courses requires students to interact with the material at a much deeper level and holds them accountable for their learning; whereas training may be attending a workshop or seminar and the participant walks away with another notebook that they add to their shelf. Effective college courses combine education and experience by requiring assignments that allow the student to apply the learning in their current ministry setting.

Bryon Johnson, a seminal researcher in faith-based prisoner programs, states, “religious individuals and faith-based groups need to recognize that ongoing training regarding correctional issues is something to be coveted rather than merely tolerated…ongoing training for religious volunteers should be endorsed as well as widely promoted in faith-based organizations”¹

3. To raise the level of professionalism. The academic and ministry world recognizes the need for specialized training. For example, degrees or certificates are offered in youth ministry or worship arts, so, what about correctional ministry?

“For too long, correctional ministry has been a neglected area of study within Christian higher education, without an established core curriculum or a viable center of focused activity. The School for Correctional Ministries at Wheaton College is positioned to fill that void by providing quality professional training for the emerging leaders in this vital mission arena.”²

4. To increase credibility with non-faith based organizations. One of the criticisms by government and community agencies is that faith-based programs lack accountability, assessment, and evaluation. Hiring educated staff increases credibility and should be included in program evaluation.

Johnson states, “Overstating program effectiveness without empirical evidence has often been a problem for religious volunteers and faith-based organizations. If their efforts are to be taken seriously, religious volunteers must understand that faith-based programs, like others, must be evaluated objectively”³

The School for Correctional Ministries (SCM) is offered through the Institute for Prison Ministries, Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College. SCM exists to equip professionals and volunteers for effective jail, prison and reentry ministry through residential and online courses. The emphasis areas are Correctional Chaplaincy, Reentry Leadership, or a focused area which can be completed in one year. Those pursuing the Reentry Leadership credential program take the following courses:

Introduction to Correctional Ministries (one week residential)
Dynamics of Working with Offenders (online)
Leadership and Spiritual Formation of Offenders (online)
Foundations of Offender Reentry (CAPA conference and online)
Organization and Administration for Nonprofit Correctional Ministries (online)
Capstone Project or Internship
Case Management and Mentoring Ex-Offenders (one week residential)

For more information visit www.bgcprisonministries.com

Let’s work together to raise the level of professionalism in the field of reentry ministry and provide quality care to those we serve.

¹ Johnson, Byron R. (2008). The faith factor and prisoner reentry. Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion, 4(5), 13.

² Beckner, Thomas. Former President of the American Chaplaincy Training School which has merged into the School for Correctional Ministries.

³ Ibid, p.14