Ready for Family Ministry?

Use this tool to evaluate your level of preparedness for helping families of the incarcerated.

This is a self-scoring quiz with 12 statements describing some characteristics of an effective volunteer for ministry to families of the incarcerated. After reading each statement, rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = not true, 5 = very true) for each skill or characteristic. Afterwards, look at the areas where you scored lowest and ask God to show you how to improve.

• I am empathetic when listening to others, looking for full understanding of the facts, but also seeking to understand the person’s feelings and emotions.

• I actively seek to build relationships with others so I can understand them better and minister to them more effectively.

• I am able to approach the families of the incarcerated with respect and open-mindedness to viewpoints that are different from my own.

• Even though I may not like some specific qualities or behaviors of a person, I am able to remain nonjudgmental and accept them as they are.

• When I see something in another person’s life that needs improvement, I am able to resist the “fixing impulse” and wait for them to ask for advice or help.

• When I say I will do something for someone or be somewhere at a certain time, I am consistently dependable to do whatever I said.

• I have a strong desire to walk alongside the families of the incarcerated and join them in their journey toward wholeness and restoration.

• I am able to be very patient with people who are learning to cope with their “new normal” after experiencing a devastating loss or family crisis.

• I strongly believe no situation is hopeless and encourage those going through difficult times to keep trusting that God loves them and wants the best for them.

• When God leads, I am able to humbly share how God has changed my life and helped me through difficult times.

• I am able to set and maintain appropriate boundaries so that people I help do not become overly-dependent on me and I am able to maintain a balanced life.

• Before ministering to others, I take time to pray that God will use my mouth to speak and my hands to serve in a way that brings healing to hurting people.