Prison congregations exist because they fulfill the basic requirements of the “ecclesia”—the congregation called out to be an assembly of accountable believers. In this era of mass incarceration, we clearly need policies that provide alternatives to incarceration for many. But in the meantime, preparation for accountable living, discipleship, and service find embodiment in prison-based congregational life. Would that we had more. Dr. Harold Dean Trulear is director of the Healing Communities Prison Ministry and the director of the doctor of ministry program at Howard University. This article considers the growth of religious communities originating within prisons. Dr. Trulear is one of the many scholars who are presenting at the dedication of our new Pannell Center for African American Church Studies. For a complete schedule of events and to register, click here: fuller.edu/pannell40
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 22:00:01 +0000
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