Prison Ministry Self-Study Courses

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A complete list of Prison Ministry Self-Study Bible Correspondence Course descriptions can be found in the document list below. All of the Bible courses were designed for use in jails and prisons. They require no instructor; a student can complete a course working independently. At the end of each Bible course is a test that can be mailed to WELS Prison Ministry. Volunteers will go over the test and give the prisoner feedback on his answers, and WELS Prison Ministry will send the next course in the series.

The Bible courses are published in two levels: Level 1 Bible course booklets will be mailed for at no charge to any prisoner or inmate and are available without charge to prison chaplains. Level 2 books are only distributed directly to inmates, though chaplains and others may order single copies for review and personal ministry uses. Order copies of the Bible course booklets or books. Find the order form here.

Sample portions of Level 1 courses—Dealing with Depression and Anxiety, The Death and Rising of Jesus Christ, Overcoming the Guilt of Sin, and Jesus is Lord, Addiction is Not—can be downloaded to give you an idea of the format of these books. We have included a sample portion of the Level 2 course The Lord Cares for Me—a study of Psalm 23 taught in narrative style. All samples are copyright by WELS Special Ministries and may not be published or sold without the expressed, written permission of WELS Special Ministries.

The Self-Study Bible Correspondence Courses were designed for use in jails and prisons; however, you will discover that with a few adaptations, they may also be used in other situations. Churches or individuals interested in purchasing Level 1 or Level 2 booklets for use outside of correctional facilities may purchase them from Northwestern Publishing House’s Bible Teaching Series.

Looking for more Bible study options with inmates? Try the downloadable Bread of Life Bible Studies.

For more information, contact Prison Ministries.

WELS PRISON MINISTRY
PO Box 452
New Ulm, MN 56073
[email protected]

Telephone: 507-354-3130

Use the order form to order printed copies of the Bible courses and other resources.

Order Form

 

Ministry to the Released

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When someone who was incarcerated returns to the community, it’s hard to overcome the many challenges of starting over. Prison Ministry has created a training course, “Mentoring a Returning Citizen” which provides excellent information and guidance for church members who have a desire to help someone rebuild their life after they’ve been set free.

Below are resources to assist in ministering to those released from prison. More resources, including Recovery Bible studies and a life skills course called “Facing Freedom,” can be found on the Institutional Ministries (IM) website.

Guidelines for Dealing with Sexual Offenders – These guidelines give thoughtful guidance for congregations who want to keep members safe, obey the laws and rules that govern probation, and minister with Word and Sacrament to people convicted of sexual offenses.

Water of Life – View the list of modules and lessons, as well as two sample teacher guides and student lessons from the Water of Life Bible study.

Military Occasions and National Holiday Resources

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An Introduction to the Military Ministry Prayers and Liturgies

Busy pastors have sometimes asked WELS Military Services if some ready resources of prayers and orders of service related to our nation and our Armed Forces could be prepared. In this folder you find our beginning answer to that request.

What you find offered here are our suggestions and ideas. You can improve on them. Perhaps in these files you may find some idea starters. On other occasions, when you look at your schedule, you may decide to use some of this work just the way it is. If you discover some typos, or have suggestions on how we might improve a work—or a suggestion for another topic, please let us know.

If you have prepared something that you think others may benefit from using, please submit it to us.

May the Lord richly bless your efforts to serve him by serving his people!

Rev. Paul Horn
National Civilian Chaplain to the Military
Armed Forces Liaison of WELS Military Services
[email protected]

Eldercare

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Helping Frail Elderly in the Pew – This brochure lists some obstacles and suggests how to help frail members so they can be served in the public service until they can no longer leave home.

Aging Bible Studies – Devotions and Bible reference for use in ministry to the aging. Download Bible studies

Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors

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2017 OWLS Annual Convention

Oct. 9-12, 2017
Country Springs Hotel, Pewaukee, Wis.
“Filled with the Gospel.”

Pastor Aaron Christie will tell OWLS about Luther and his music, former WELS chaplain Pastor Josh Martin and his wife will talk about the joys of their life and serving the European civilian chaplaincy in Germany, seminary Professor Bradley Wordel will tell of the work being done in our Japanese mission field.  Pastor Tony Schultz will fill hearts with the joy of sharing Jesus with young and old.

Early arrivals at the convention can enjoy Monday morning’s tours of historic WELS churches in the Milwaukee area as well as tour the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry.

Workshops will offer OWLS a wide variety of topics, including guidance on writing your life story, information about puppet ministry, little known facts about US presidents and their wives, the international student program at MLC, or meet with a WELS member who serves as a representative in the Wisconsin Assembly, Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt.

The Organization of WELS Seniors (OWLS) convention is open to all WELS / ELS members who are retired and / or over the age of 50. Among the special guests this year, former WELS Civilian Chaplain in Europe, Pastor Josh Martin and his wife Katie will be present. The OWLS have been major funders of the WELS European Civilian Chaplaincy, and this year’s convention features a silent auction with proceeds designated for that cause. The hotel complex provides a complimentary indoor water park for attendees. With plenty of time to make new friends and connect with friends from the past, the Pewaukee Convention promises to be a relaxing and enjoyable opportunity for seniors.

Registration materials are available below.  If you’ve attended previous conventions, a mailing has been sent to you.

Questions? E-mail the Convention Coordinator, Werner Lemke, at [email protected].

The 2016 OWLS convention was held in October in Omaha, Nebraska. Learn more here.

Read here to find out more about the OWLS organization.