I Was in Prison and Ye Visited Me Not
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I hate to say it–not because I’m too proud to admit it–but the church often fails to meet the needs of her community. Ann Sattley, author of the book, Technically, That’s Illegal, and a blog by the same name, wrote about this troubling situation yesterday here on the site. In response, I received this very encouraging email…
I have often decried Big Government’s taking over what The Word instructs us to do. I, too, decided I couldn’t POSSIBLY cover as much territory as Uncle Sam covers in its’ entitlement programs. So, I stopped doing things. The church IS supposed to take care of its’ community needs…not just those inside the church. We get on various bents where the sisters are going to do this and do that… makes us feel all good…for a couple weeks, a month, then, it’s dropped.
The one MOST disappointing aspect of the church responsibility shrugged off…because that REALLY “spoke” to my needs at the time…Matthew 25 “I was in prison and ye visited me not”. My son was in prison was small-time drug involvement…TWICE he served three plus years. ONE preacher, EARLY on in his incarceration, went to visit. The other six plus years, the burden (and I accepted it gladly) was on me and my husband, his siblings. I see how society, not just the church, treats ALL prisoners as if they were serial killers. Even when they’ve done their time and are released. They’re shunned…except, as [Ann] mentioned, by other “ex-cons”. My son just started up his own roustabout company with three partners. We are more passionate about things that have “touched” our lives. I’ve LOADS of “passions”.
Drug/alcohol addiction, suicide, prison, divorce in the church…I’m thankful for each experience, truly, because it has softened my heart to others who experience these hard places in their lives. I have often wondered why the ministry doesn’t at LEAST support its’ own people in these situations. May God forgive our shortcomings and give us the guidance to move forward in a way that is pleasing to Him.
About The Author
Jeremy Sarber
I'm the pastor of one of the most blessed churches in all the world. I'm married to the most wonderful woman to walk the face of the earth. I'm host of possibly the most unconventional podcast on the Internet. I am thankful because I deserve none of it. Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Email
