Correctional Service Canada
www.csc-scc.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Christianity
A Skeletal Sermon
Church Council on Justice an Corrections
Reconciliation with God and Others
A. The Church has received the task of the ministry of reconciliation from Christ.
1. II Cor. 5: 17-25
2. Does the ministry of reconciliation apply only between individuals and God? Or also to human relationships?
B. Jesus tells us that in order to be reconciled with God we must be reconciled with our brother (Matt. 18: 15-17)
C. Our ministry of reconciliation extends to the area of crime (Luke 19: 1-10)
1. Salvation (reconciliation with God) came to Zacchaeus' house when he repaid
four times over what he had taken and gave away half of his ill-gotten gains to the poor.
2. Jesus' presence (eating with Zacchaeus) is what brought about the change, and healed the wrong done to other humans.
How can the Church Work at Reconciliation?
A. Take out guidelines from Matt. 18: 15-17
1. Personal confrontation face-to-face.
2. If that fails, with mediation helpers.
3. If all fails, make a public announcement of the present state of brokenness.
4. The goal of all the steps, even that of "ex-communication" is the restoration of the relationship (see Disciplining the Brother by Marlin Jeschke, Herald Press).
B. Translating this message into the criminal area
1. Seek to bring about face-to-face confrontation between victims and offenders.
2. Use mediators to help them resolve the issue.
3. Look for creative ways to make a fair restitution plus more.
4. Even if no reconciliation is achieved, treat the offender as a "Gentile", that is, treat him or her as Jesus treated the Gentiles and sinners. He loved them, associated with them and called them to turn again to God.
In summary, the goal of intervention in crime is not punishment or vengeance but reconciliation — a restoration of Shalom between God and people, and between people and people.
