Worship Renewal in Corrections
Worship Renewal in Corrections

 WORSHIP RENEWAL IN CORRECTIONS

  
I realized that I am habit patterned, culturally driven, stuck in a rut and generally on autopilot.  Worship is not fresh or current.  - Chaplain

 
Northland Church Worship Training

OVERVIEW

 

Is planning worship services one of your many responsibilities as a chaplain?  Are you a volunteer given the task of leading worship in a correctional institution? Are prisoners responding to the call to worship? 


Chaplains and volunters are genuinely interested in moving forward toward increased excellence and impact with worship.  Leading worship services in corrections requires an understanding of worship and worship skills, and an understanding of issues related to being incarcerated and the unique correctional environment.  Finding chaplains and volunteers with this unique skill set is challenging.


To address this challenge, the Institute for Prison Ministries, Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College received a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The grant was used to provide specialized training and a round-table discussion for chaplains and ministry leaders, ten participants, who lead or oversee worship with youth and adults in correctional facilities.  This focused attention allowed the chapalins and ministry leaders to review their current worship practices, gain new learning, share ideas and renew worship at the correctional facility where they serve. 

 


RESOURCES

We would  like to thank the outstanding ministry leaders and chaplains who brought their ministry passion to this collaboration.  The resources listed below are provided to help you develop and enhance your skills in planning worship services in a correctional facility.

 Title  Description
   
Worship Renewal in Corrections  Project Overview


Unique Issues/Challenges and Opportunities


The unique issues/challenges and opportunities of leading worship services in correctional facilities were identified through discussion and addressed through training from our team leaders.

What is Worship Renewal?

Worship renewal begins by probing deeper issues about worship which will then be used to guide worship practices and styles.

Guiding Questions About Worship  

The following questions were used to guide the roundtable discussion:

Question 1

 How would you describe Christian worship?

Question 2

 How is the Great Commission fulfilled in worship?

Question 3

 How does worship enhance spiritual transformation?

Question 4

What does worship that ministers to a diverse congregation look like?

Worship Service Elements and Skills

Sacraments

There are many elements and skills required for an effective worship service.  A description and resources are given for the following:

Foundation for Worship | Service Planning  | The Spoken Word (speaking, reading scripture, prayer) | Sermon | Music | Art  | Drama  | Sacraments

Worship in Corrections

Models

Cell Adoption Program
(Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, Omaha Metro Area)

Church Satellite Campuses in Correctional Facilities
(Northland Church, Longwood, FL)

Prison Congregations
(Iona Bellamy Creek Celebration Fellowship Prison Congregation, MI) 

Local Trainings
This document will be updated as more training take place during Spring 2013.
(latest update: 1/25/2013)

Following the Roundtable, participants brought their new understanding and fresh ideas back to lead local trainings.   The response has been outstanding. 

Training Locations:
Northland Church  | Good News Jail & Prison Ministry | Team Muskegon | New Life Foundations  | Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries

 RESOURCES  Northland Church Worship Renewal Training Powerpoint.pdf