Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Church Holds Adult Only Services To Reach Sex Offenders

Christian Post--A Wisconsin church has recently begun holding biweekly church "adults only" services, in part as a way to allow convicted sex offenders to worship.

First Congregational United Church of Christ of Madison began holding the services earlier this year on every other Thursday evening, a time in which no children would be at their facilities.

The Rev. Jerry Hancock, director of First Congregational's prison ministry, told The Christian Post that the idea for the service came through their efforts at witnessing to prisoners in general.

"First Congregational United Church of Christ in Madison Wisconsin operates an active prison ministry," said Hancock.

"Through our work with prisoners we realized that there might be a need for a service of this kind because many sex offenders cannot for legal reason or should not for therapeutic reasons attend worship service when children are present."

The service is also for the benefit of those who would prefer to worship without children present. Since being implemented, the service has only garnered those who desire a child-free worship experience rather than recovering sex offenders.

"We have had 10 to 12 church members attend the first two sessions which began on Feb. 23. No one in our target audience has attended," said Hancock.

"This may be because it just takes time for word to spread. It may also be that the people we would like to serve have had very bad personal experiences with organized religion. Coming to church is an act of courage for them."

Pat Nolan, vice president of Prison Fellowship Ministries, told CP that he approved of the "adults only" service concept from First Congregational, considering it "very creative."

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