Disappointment

If you're helping addicts, disappointment can be part of the deal.

Today we learned:

• that a guy we've poured tons of time, prayer, and effort into is gone. Last seen with a drug user. We've resourced this guy unlike anyone before. He had potential to do much good for many.
  
• another man we were helping died. Our guy dropped him off at home yesterday. Cause of death unclear at the moment.
  

This has put several guys in a funk. It's hard. That's why it's so important to do this kind of thing in community with other believers.

In the next post we'll list the principles we use in 'aftercare'. These give us tracks to run on, protect our folks, and set proper expectations with those we hope to help.

Out4Life

This is big.

A Prison Fellowship Out 4 Life Conference is coming to Arkansas Sept 14-16.

The purpose of the movement is to educate, equip, and network community stakeholders for the purpose of reducing recidivism.

I don't think there's been anything like this. A partnership of the Department of Correction, Prison Fellowship, and the Church. Our goal is the same... reducing recidivism.

I have the privilege to serve on the planning team and can make this promise to church leaders: you will have a more effective ministry to the families and individuals who are experiencing the consequences of breaking the law. From explaining the justice process (cop, jail, prosecutor, judge, prison, parole, reentry), to relationships of trust with government staff, to effective in-prison programs your congregation can run, to practices most likely to lead to a successful transition back into society.

We're so committed to equipping church leaders, that we're flying in a specialist in volunteerism. Don Simmons is a long time seminary professor and one of the foremost thought leaders on 'serving as discipleship'. He will speak at a special dinner Monday night just for church leaders on the most effective way to call your congregation to serve (it isn't from the pulpit folks). His Tues breakout will equip you to create an ever growing movement of service (heard of TAFFER?). I would attend the conference just to interact with Don.

I'll post more details in the coming weeks. If you can't wait, contact me and I'll give you the brief on other presenters and activities.