Chapter 5

Pointing lost souls to Christ is the grandest, the highest and the holiest business known on earth or in Heaven. The individual engaged in prison ministry (layman prison workers) should have the same concern as that of his Lord who stated plainly that he came to seek and to save lost souls. There are certain basic qualifications or personal traits that a layman prison worker must possess.

Consecration

The first and no doubt most essential qualification is consecration. "Christ asks for an unreserved consecration, for undivided service. He demands the heart, the mind, the soul, the strength. Self is not to be cherished." -- COL 48, 49.

"He who loves Christ the most, will do the greatest amount of good." -- DA 250.

Faithfulness

To have success in prison ministry outreach the layman prison counselor must have the quality of faithfulness in keeping appointments and being on time. A Christian leader ought to be faithful to the promises he makes, cost what it may. It is a wonderful thing to find a person whose promises are as sure as the rising of the sun, whose simplest word is as good as his oath, who does just what he says he will do at the moment he says he will do it. This is the kind of faithfulness God wants.

Perseverance

In the name of the Lord a prison ministry worker should work with the same untiring perseverance and unflagging zeal that Christ brought into his labors. (Don't get discouraged).

Tact and Wisdom

"In the work of soul-winning, great tact and wisdom are needed. The Savior never suppressed the truth, but he uttered it always in love. In his intercourse with others, he exercised the greatest tact and he was always kind and thoughtful." -- GW 117.

Genuineness

"There must be no pretense in the lives of those who have so sacred and solemn a message as we have been called to bear. The world is watching Seventh-day Adventists, because it knows something of their profession of faith, and of their high standard, and when it sees those who do not live up to their profession, it points at them with scorn." -- 9T 23.

These are only a few essential qualifications for successful service in prison ministry outreach. In addition to these qualifications there are other basic character qualities that are most essential for laymen prison counselors.

1. Love -- is an outgrowth of unselfish concern for all persons involved.
2. Empathy -- is the ability to feel with people and put one's self in their place.
3. Sense of mission -- a desire to give this priority, a belief that this is something he or she would rather be doing than any thing else in all the world.
4. Spiritual growth -- a Lay-Chaplain must not only lead others to new spiritual growth but likewise must be willing and anxious to grow as well. We must search our hearts and lives and see wherein we lack in any of these qualifications for successful service.

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