Two weeks ago I raised what I considered an intriguing question:  If everyone were to put their heads together and contribute their ideas, perceptions, and experiences, could humankind come up with a vision of reality and answers to the big questions that are better than any of the existing religions?  Could humans, through open and creative conversation, refinement, and experimentation, move humanity past wars, power struggles, and injustice to achieve a utopia on earth? 
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(The following is an account of Free Inside prison ministry by guest blogger Gordon Lawrence of NewLife.  If you are interested in becoming involved with Free Inside, contact NewLife or visit the Free Inside website at www.free-inside.com.)

Free Inside was started about five years ago by the current director (and former NewLife pastor) Peter Dewberry, who is the only paid staff member.  All other workers, who number about 50, are volunteers.  Our instructional material is the ALPHA program, and we alternate the 15 week ALPHA 1 introduction to Christianity with ALPHA 2, an introduction to the Christian life.  A normal program lasts two hours.  After a brief introduction, a 35 minute video is shown, followed by the inmates and volunteers breaking up into small groups for about an hour-long discussion.  The program closes with the sharing of prayer needs.  We run programs in the spring and the fall in order to allow breaks for volunteers. 
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Unfortunately, something has gone wrong with the server, causing us to lose the last month or so of blogs, sermons, and updates (that was one powerful Daylight Savings…).  Hopefully this will be remedied soon and we’ll be able to get everything back to normal soon.  Sorry for the confusion!

Consider this intriguing question:  If everyone were to put their heads together and contribute their ideas, perceptions, and experiences, could humankind come up with a vision of reality and answers to the big questions that are better than any of the existing religions?  Could humans, through open and creative conversation, refinement, and experimentation, move humanity past wars, power struggles, and injustice to achieve a utopia on earth?  And if the answer is no, is there anything that could be gained from such an experiment?

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Vulnerability is, well, a vulnerable thing, isn’t it?  My job as a pastor is highly relational, dealing with people from all different backgrounds on all manner of issues.  On one day I’ll be counseling a newly married couple on how to fight fair, another day helping a woman sort out the troubles she has faced in her life and understand where God fits among them, and the next day listening as a young man shares his strongly held vision for where he feels God wants him to use his time and talents.  All of these situations call for incredible vulnerability and trust on the part of those with whom I meet, as they trust me with the intimate details of their marriage, their history, and their heart. 
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