I just don't get it. In the Bible, it says that you don't send sheep out among the wolves. Why is the church doing this?? It isn't Biblical!
2006-09-17 17:58:45 · 12 answers · asked by Cyber Spacer 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, Matthew 10: 16 does say "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves...," but the point you bring out is very important.
Churches must be more responsible other than just preaching the gospel and making missionaries out of its flock. Christ is far more diverse than the mere message of His salvation; He is also the life that lives in us and changes us...
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." - Galatians 2: 20
Thus, what we have is not just a religion, but a life with Christ. However, we are not changed instantly from lowly sinner to firebrand preacher...
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe." - Hebrews 5: 12-13
And as such, we must be concerned first with our growth in the Spirit, then can we be concerned for the salvation of others. To send out the youth and those who are just new to Christ is just wrong, for the Bible clearly states that they are not yet skilled in God's Word. Also, by doing such, the church merely treats the youth as a resource rather than a person in whom the life of Christ abides, and by taking advantage of the burning passion of that young man's faith in order to force tasks on him, the church risks burning that person out and making him hate the life of Christ. The burning desire when one newly believes can only go so far; without the maturity that is beyond milk, it will soon run out and sustain him no more...
At the same time, the church must not arbitrarily decide who to send to and where, especially if the Lord does not plant the burden on all in question.
"Do not lay hands on anyone hastily..." - 1 Timothy 5: 22
Doing so may even be unprofitable in the eyes of the Lord, for He may not recognize them as His work.
"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"- Matthew 7: 22-23
We cannot decide to just do things and have God put his seal of approval on them; we must have God put his seal on the work, then we obey...
2006-09-17 18:20:11 · answer #1 · answered by Shepherd 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Umm, there are men in our church that do prison and jail ministry.
Our youth group of which, I have had children in for many years is not involved in that part of the ministry.
Our pastor did ask my son to accompany him to the mission on a ministry trip, but he was 18 and out of the actual youth group by then. It was actually part of his preparation to help show my son that he was being led into ministry.
Not sure why your church puts an importance on this part of ministry, but it never hurts to ask the youth leader direct.
I have to say I am thankful that our youth deal more with community service projects, such as clean up of streets and caring for the yards of the elderly and disabled in our community.
2006-09-18 01:18:15 · answer #2 · answered by cindy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It IS biblical to go to jails / prisons. As for sending children...I can't speak for any other Churches. Mine doesn't. For a couple of reasons...
1) you have to be 18+
2) pass a background check (through the Church) and with the county if it's jail...and probably more extensive if it's prison.
Jesus tells us to visit those in prison.
They have lost their way and need guidance...and they also need to be reminded they are not disposable. Jesus loves them too!
2006-09-18 01:01:31 · answer #3 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard of such a thing, and I've been to several different churches of different denominations. Sounds like it's time for you to look for a new church.
2006-09-18 01:01:42 · answer #4 · answered by medellia1984 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) So young people can see for themselves exactly what the consequences of crime really are.
2) So prisoners might be converted.
Psa 69:29 (69:30) But I am poor and sorrowful: thy salvation, O God, hath set me up.
Psa 69:30 (69:31) I will praise the name of God with a canticle: and I will magnify him with praise.
Psa 69:31 (69:32) And it shall please God better than a young calf, that bringeth forth horns and hoofs.
Psa 69:32 (69:33) Let the poor see and rejoice: seek ye God, and your soul shall live.
Psa 69:33 (69:34) For the Lord hath heard the poor: and hath not despised his prisoners.
2006-09-18 01:25:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all drop the generalization. What church specifically? Our church would never do that to kids....they should be doing that. Prisons should be an adult ministry.
I've never heard of youth being asked to witness to prisoners. I agree it is wrong. So I ask again, what church?
2006-09-18 01:02:01 · answer #6 · answered by chris 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sending teens to help felons is a great idea. The teens get a cautionary tale of what happens to you if you drink yourself senseless every weekend, do drugs, and steal. The felons get remorse when they see the fresh-faced, young cheeked kids.
What's not to like?
2006-09-18 01:05:12 · answer #7 · answered by nora22000 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
were not sending them amoungst the wolves. the wolves are the acts of satan, which pull the flock away from eachother. were sending them out to bring the lost parts of the flock back into the fold.
2006-09-18 01:03:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You are misinterpreting scripture... it IS Biblical!!! we are to spread the gospel message to everyone. Felons and criminals need to hear it the most wouldn't you agree???
2006-09-18 01:02:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
its easier. in your part of the world's point of view, maybe your church does this because, accept it or not, it is easier to convert people into christianity when they are criminals.... "jesus loves you, forgives your sins" is the main catch phrase. that makes it unfair to play with peoples feelings and desire fro redemption.
2006-09-18 01:02:14 · answer #10 · answered by lnfrared Loaf 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋