📝 Worksheet 1.5: Reentry and Restoration Chaplain Self-Reflection and Field Readiness

Purpose of This Worksheet

This worksheet helps you reflect on the calling, character, boundaries, and readiness needed for Reentry and Restoration Chaplaincy.

This topic introduced the chaplain’s calling to serve returning citizens and people impacted by incarceration with faithful presence, wise boundaries, dignity, permission-based spiritual care, and Christ-centered hope.

Use this worksheet honestly. It is not meant to shame you. It is meant to help you discern how God may be forming you for this ministry field.

Part 1: Key Concept Review

Answer the following questions in your own words.

1. What is Reentry and Restoration Chaplaincy?

Write a brief definition.

My answer:

2. What is the difference between faithful presence and rescuing?

Faithful presence means:

Rescuing means:

3. Why should a chaplain avoid asking, “What were you in for?” during a first conversation?

4. Why is it important to see a returning citizen as an image-bearer and embodied soul?

5. What does it mean to offer prayer by permission?

Part 2: Personal Discernment

Reentry and Restoration Chaplaincy requires compassion, but also wisdom, humility, emotional steadiness, and boundaries.

Reflect honestly on the following questions.

6. What draws you toward this ministry field?

Check any that apply.

☐ I care about people rebuilding life after incarceration.
☐ I have served in jail or prison ministry before.
☐ I have a personal or family connection to incarceration, recovery, or restoration.
☐ I want to help churches welcome returning citizens wisely.
☐ I feel called to serve people who are often overlooked.
☐ I want to support discipleship, accountability, and restoration.
☐ I am exploring whether this is my ministry parish.
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Write a few sentences about what draws you most.

7. What concerns or fears do you have about serving in this field?

Check any that apply.

☐ I worry I may not know what to say.
☐ I worry I may overhelp or rescue.
☐ I worry I may judge too quickly.
☐ I worry about safety or boundaries.
☐ I worry about hearing painful stories.
☐ I worry about legal, parole, probation, or program rules.
☐ I worry about relapse, crisis, or reincarceration.
☐ I worry about becoming emotionally attached or overwhelmed.
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Write a few sentences about your biggest concern.

8. Which tendency do you most need to watch in yourself?

Choose one or two.

☐ Rescuing
☐ Judging
☐ Avoiding
☐ Overpromising
☐ Becoming emotionally attached
☐ Wanting to be the hero
☐ Being too curious about someone’s past
☐ Becoming fearful
☐ Ignoring boundaries
☐ Taking responsibility for another person’s choices
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Why did you choose this?

Part 3: Practice Phrases

Write ministry-ready phrases you could actually use in a reentry setting.

9. Permission Before Prayer

A returning citizen shares that he is afraid of failing after release.

Write one sentence asking permission before praying.

My phrase:

10. Respecting a Person’s Story

A returning citizen says, “I don’t want to talk about what happened.”

Write one response that honors dignity and does not pressure disclosure.

My phrase:

11. Boundary Around Practical Help

A returning citizen asks you for money or a private ride.

Write one caring but boundaried response.

My phrase:

12. Referral-Aware Care

A returning citizen shares a need that is beyond your role, such as housing, legal help, addiction support, or mental health crisis.

Write one response that shows care while pointing toward appropriate support.

My phrase:

13. When Someone Criticizes Church People

A returning citizen says, “Church people just want to use my story.”

Write one calm response.

My phrase:

Part 4: Boundary Check Scenarios

Read each scenario and write a wise chaplain response.

Scenario A: “Can I Have Your Personal Number?”

A returning citizen says, “Can I have your personal number? I just need one person who won’t give up on me.”

What could go wrong if the chaplain gives unlimited private access?

What would be a caring but boundaried response?

Scenario B: “Please Don’t Tell Anyone”

A returning citizen says, “I’m scared I might hurt myself tonight, but please don’t tell anyone.”

Why can the chaplain not promise secrecy here?

What should the chaplain say?

Scenario C: “I Need a Place to Stay”

A returning citizen says, “My cousin kicked me out. Can I stay at your house for a few nights?”

Why is this outside the normal chaplain role?

What is a wise response?

Part 5: Local Ministry Application

14. Identify Your Possible Reentry Ministry Parish

Where might Reentry and Restoration Chaplaincy happen in your community?

Check any that apply.

☐ Local church outreach
☐ Jail ministry follow-up
☐ Prison ministry follow-up
☐ Reentry program
☐ Transitional housing
☐ Halfway house
☐ Recovery ministry
☐ Mentoring ministry
☐ Job-readiness ministry
☐ Food or clothing ministry
☐ Soul Center
☐ Community resource event
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Which setting seems most realistic for you to explore?

15. Who Would You Need Permission From?

List people or organizations you would need to talk with before serving.

Examples: pastor, elder, deacon, reentry program director, jail ministry leader, Soul Center leader, recovery ministry leader, volunteer coordinator.

16. What Questions Would You Ask a Leader?

Write three questions you would ask before serving in a reentry ministry setting.

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

Part 6: Calling and Readiness Reflection

17. What qualities from Topic 1 do you already see growing in your life?

Check any that apply.

☐ Patience
☐ Compassion
☐ Respect for boundaries
☐ Ability to listen
☐ Willingness to learn
☐ Calm presence
☐ Respect for authority and policies
☐ Desire to pray without pressure
☐ Concern for both mercy and accountability
☐ Willingness to serve quietly
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Briefly explain.

18. What qualities need further growth?

Check any that apply.

☐ Patience
☐ Emotional steadiness
☐ Boundary clarity
☐ Listening before advising
☐ Referral wisdom
☐ Humility under leadership
☐ Crisis awareness
☐ Non-rescuing compassion
☐ Willingness to serve slowly
☐ Self-awareness about triggers
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Briefly explain.

19. What is your next faithful step?

Choose one.

☐ Pray more specifically about this calling.
☐ Talk with a pastor or ministry leader.
☐ Learn about local reentry ministries.
☐ Begin serving in a supervised support role.
☐ Complete more chaplaincy training.
☐ Work on personal healing or boundary growth first.
☐ Ask a mentor for feedback.
☐ Explore a Soul Center connection.
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Write your next step in one sentence.

Part 7: Prayer and Commitment

20. Personal Prayer

Write a short prayer asking God to form you for wise, humble, and faithful ministry.

My prayer:

21. Commitment Statement

Complete the following statement:

With God’s help, I want to become a Reentry and Restoration Chaplain who serves with:

☐ Faithful presence
☐ Wise boundaries
☐ Permission-based prayer
☐ Dignifying language
☐ Referral awareness
☐ Humility under leadership
☐ Compassion without rescuing
☐ Accountability without contempt
☐ Hope without false promises
☐ Christ-centered love

My commitment in this season is:

Closing Formation Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

You came near to people carrying shame, failure, grief, and hope. You spoke truth with mercy and mercy with truth.

Form me into a trustworthy servant.

Teach me to listen before advising, pray without pressure, speak without shaming, and serve without taking over. Give me compassion without a rescuer spirit, courage without harshness, and hope without false promises.

Help me honor every returning citizen as an image-bearer and embodied soul. Help me respect boundaries, leaders, policies, safety concerns, and the proper limits of my role.

If this ministry field is part of my calling, prepare me with humility and wisdom. If another field is better for this season, guide me with peace.

Make me faithful.

Amen.