Hospitality as Justice: Within the Church

By Chaplain Todd Marcotte

"Sit down in front where we can keep an eye on you," barked an usher to a formerly incarcerated man attending a church service for the first time.  

At another church on Easter Sunday, a church elder pulled aside another man upon learning the nature of his prior criminal history and said, "You should just leave. We don't want your kind here."  

These events happened right here in Dane County in the last few years. 

Around 2000 years ago, a man named Jesus stood up amid a congregation and proclaimed that his ministry was to "to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners" (Luke 4:18). 

What a stark contrast to these examples from here and now. 

Even while suffering on the cross, Jesus demonstrated love and concern to a fellow prisoner, and as a result, that condemned criminal experienced Christ's love in such a way that it changed his eternal destiny. 

Unfortunately, despite Christ's example to minister to prisoners, too many prefer to pass by on the other side of the street, as did the religious leaders in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).

The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to put love into action by "practicing hospitality" in the closing remarks of his letter to the Romans (12:13). He continued, "Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position" (Romans 12:16). 

Biblical hospitality is more than providing a friendly reception to guests or entertaining in our homes.

Kingdom justice is about inviting strangers (those from other countries, cultures, languages, groups, socioeconomic classes, etc.) to become part of our lives and becoming part of theirs. It may involve acts of hospitality, but it is more about offering "home" to people. 

97% of the people who enter jail or prison will come back into the community. When a person coming out of prison or jail returns, what are some ways we can help them? I invite you to watch this video from my friend Joseph and think about ways you and your church can be more welcoming to a justice-involved individual. 

Learn more about Hospitality as Justice at this year’s Kingdom Justice Summit. Register by March 6th.

To learn more about Madison Jail Ministry, visit https://www.madisonjailministry.org/