Onesimus Workbook

50 • T HE O NESIMUS W ORKSHOP : W ELCOMING F ORMER P RISONERS INTO THE L IFE OF THE C HURCH

prisoners in the service, some churches have recruited ex-offenders as security staff to provide a sense of safety. This is an effective way to help former prisoners take a first step toward more significant places of service over time.

Take adequate time to plan out specifically the elements of the church internships you will offer.

In order to ensure your program is successful, you will need to think through carefully the various elements of the church internship you intend to offer. While the particular assignments will vary greatly depending on your congregational needs and opportunities, most effective internships will include at least three critical components. First, the skills of life, both as a responsible disciple in society and as a member of the church. Second, biblical and theological training related to the role of servant leadership in the church, and specifically in the role that the intern will play in your congregation. Finally, a careful outline of the specific ministry responsibilities they will assume during their internship, and how those responsibilities will be carried out over the term of the internship. For a thorough and more helpful discussion of mapping out your particular church internship program please go to www.tumi.org/onesimus for details. Always think with two brains: One which concentrates on the particular role of the internship and the other that recognizes the candidate’s future calling and gifting inministry. While a successful internship is to be greatly desired, we must always remember that God may have even greater ends for the interns he provides us. Although it may not be God’s will for every former prisoner to become a pastor, church planter, or Christian worker, there is no question that the Holy Spirit will call some of them to these noble tasks in ministry. We are believing God to raise up an army of qualified spiritual laborers among the formerly incarcerated to plant, pastor, and build up healthy new churches that will be both welcoming and culturally conducive to former prisoners! World Impact has specifically set up systems and processes within its Evangel School of Urban Church Planting to help discern and equip former prisoners with these callings and gifts to navigate their way into those ministries. If you discover in any intern candidate the gift and calling to do ongoing pastoral, church planting, and ministry or missions outreach, do not hesitate to connect them to us at www.tumi.org/evangel to receive help, encouragement, and advice in how to help them enter the process of discernment regarding those opportunities.