> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Our prisons and jails are full…and getting fuller…of people in pain. Emotional pain is one of the prime motivators for addiction and criminal behavior. Being in pain does not excuse someone for committing a criminal act, but it does help explain why so many of us do the dumb things we do.

One of the reasons we know that being in pain does not excuse someone from the responsibility they bear when they break the law, is the simple fact that most people in pain do not break the law. It is just as true as the fact that most people who grow up in poverty, without a father or mother, or a whole long laundry list of other excuses for criminal behavior also do not break the law. With this in mind, we must look at pain, and deal with pain, but we cannot allow it to become an excuse for our bad behavior.

At the very least, and often with the help of a counselor, many people learn how to tolerate or live with their pain without manifesting anti-social behavior or committing a crime. Some go on to complete healing and become emotionally healthy. When they are healed, they stop acting out; they stop doing drugs, drinking alcoholically, breaking the law, talking trash about fellow church members behind their backs, or indulging in other forms of ugly, pain-motivated behavior.

People in pain need empathy, not sympathy. They need relationships with emotionally stable and spiritually mature people, who have the God-given ability to put themselves in the shoes of a hurting person and understand in their hearts how that person feels.

When empathy meets pain, it wants to get involved; it wants to facilitate healing. But it doesn’t give credence to bull stories, either. Empathy wants to get to the heart of the matter and work the problem. That is what empathy does.

Unlike empathy, sympathy operates at arms’ length. For any number of reasons, it does not really want to be involved. Sympathy pats someone on the shoulder and says “there, there,” but what a person in pain needs to hear is “here, here.” Empathy says here is where you will find what you need to become free and stay free.

Sympathy quotes Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” Then sympathy runs away.

Sympathetic people do not get deeply involved in anything, and rarely provide real help for anyone. Sympathy says that someone else will help you…not me. Sympathy wants to look good to others, and will even put on the thin cloak of a rather shallow religious faith in order to do it.

Empathy is different; it swims in the deep end of the pool, and is one of the hallmarks of deep and genuine faith. Empathy wants others to be whole and free, and is willing to get to work to make it happen. Empathy is deeply engaged in the risky business of love. Remember the bible story of the Good Samaritan? That’s empathy in action.

As we stand on the doorstep of the second decade of the 21st century, I must sadly report that too many Christians throughout the country are still engaged in 20th century prison ministry. What is the difference?

Twentieth century prison ministry is mostly evangelism-focused. The message is “Get saved; you must be born again.” It is an excellent, life-giving message, and I believe in it with my whole heart. But that is where too many of us start…and then stop. There is much more to a powerful and fruitful Christian life than a one-time response to an altar call.

Twentieth century prison makes converts; twenty-first century prison ministry makes disciples. It is a testimony to the love and power of God that so many converts go on to become mature followers of Christ and good citizens.

I have searched the scriptures, and cannot find a place where Jesus told his followers to make converts. He told us to go and make disciples. Compared to making disciples, making converts is easy. When we make converts, we can lead someone in a prayer for salvation…and then walk away.

People engaged in making disciples cannot walk away. Making disciples is a long-term investment. Someone who does not know how to live needs a father or a brother to show him the ropes. Love and empathy require us to step up to the plate and stay in the game for as long as it takes.

Sympathy is a momentary encounter and effort-free, where empathy is both a lifestyle and a commitment. Sympathy gives words and calls them actions; empathy is too busy actually doing something useful to provide more than a few words.

Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. His words are especially true when it comes to 21st century prison ministry.

Last week, three men were released from the same Indiana prison and returned home to Floyd County. Fortunately, all of them have a mentor to help them face and overcome the challenges of their first year back in free society. Because they have a mentor, instead of only a 35 percent chance they will be able to stay out of trouble for good, they now have a 91 percent chance of making it…permanently. These are great odds…all we need now are more mentors, so that more newly-released men can succeed.

Are there any tough but empathetic men out there?

Johnson is executive director of Christian Formation Ministries. His organization has numerous volunteer opportunities available. For information, e-mail richard@christian-formation.org, or call 812-945-0886.