I've done a handful of Kairos retreat programs. Excellent programs... but one thing...
>>It ultimately made me reflect on how many wonderful Kairos volunteers I’ve encountered across the state of Louisiana during my “tour” as state chair. <<
I sure they didn't tell the prisoners ("residents") that they had an appointment with the state chair...
Thanks for posting this Kairos piece, Sionn.
No, dangus, inmates, residents or "participants" are not told what "rank" or "title" a volunteer holds within Kairos. We are all equal at the foot of the Cross of Jesus Christ. We have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God. In my experiences working at base camp for the Kairos near my home and working a Kairos Outside (the weekend for the families of inmates who make a weekend inside) I have never seen anyone "lord it" (or lady it) over anyone else - especially a volunteer over an inmate, or a volunteer over another volunteer. That kind of conduct is not acceptable among volunteers. Most prisoners know that trying to justify their sin as not being as bad as another's is so much phoney baloney.
Kairos prison ministry (in whatever form it is exercised) is a powerful program not only for inmates and their families, but for the institution (staff and other inmates) and the greater "prison" community. The fact is that the families of inmates are "doing time" also. For them sometimes the negatives outweigh the positives. For instance, with the breadwinner or the mother inside, the children either become wards of the state and end up on the morass of state funded foster care, or they are parked with relatives who are stressed emotionally, spiritually and financially by the extra burden, or they are left to "fend for themselves" as best they can. This is where the greater faith community comes in. Instead of relying on social service agencies, volunteers from local area churches (some not even involved in Kairos) offer child care while adults have visits, or some offer transportation for entire families s they can visit their loved ones inside. In at least one case an inmate was received into membership in a local church even though she was unable to attend services while inside. A volunteer from that local church provided tape recorded sermons, a weekly visit, Bible Study booklets and a listening ear. The miracle of change in that one woman's life was a glowing example of the transforming power of the Gospel as lived by the local body.
Many inmates have stated that upon release they have not always found a ready welcome in local churches after they are released. Many secretly admit they miss the fellowship of others who know (and accept) the truth about themselves and hold the hope of the good news that Christ loves them and redeemed them. Too often people "on the street" are too concerned with "doing the work of evangelism" and they forget the part about "being" the body of Christ - His visible presence in the world that so desperately needs Him.
Kairos is just one among many examples of "being" and bringing Christ to those who need Him. I highly recommend the work and ministry of Kairos. The cookies are often the only tangible evidence of the love of Christ some of these inmates ever see. Spread the love!
LOL! (LoM, that was a pun -- think "Ol' Sparky"...)