The SIAFU Guidebook

Part I I I : Forming a Company 93

positions as God brings more members into your Chapter. We are confident that, with God’s blessing and help, your Chapter will grow in number and strength, and this growth will more and more require good order, clear records, and open dialogue over all matters in the Chapter. Identifying, equipping, and releasing urban disciples for leadership is precisely what the SIAFU Network is about! Please note: It is important to restate that these positions and the SIAFU Chapter itself are under the authority and blessing of the pastor or spiritual authority in a particular church or organization that is sponsoring the Chapter. Under no circumstances can a Chapter operate without the pastor or spiritual authority’s blessing (chaplain, director, etc.). No Chapter can function on its own; it must be connected to a local assembly or organization whose pastor and spiritual authority has endorsed its work. For Chapters on the Inside All of the information contained in pages 89-93 (i.e., references to leadership functions, financial requirements, and contact information) are related only to volunteers outside the institution, or to those individuals who are granted authority by the authorized jail/prison officials. Each SIAFU Chapter absolutely must conduct its activities in accordance with all prison/jail requirements, no exceptions allowed. In light of this, Chapters on the inside cannot use the leadership offices or require strict membership compliance as in a Chapter’s normal operation. This is forbidden as it is most likely against the policy of most Departments of Corrections to allow any one inmate to have leadership or authority over another. Even with these necessary limitations, however, you can allow different regular attendees of the Chapter to read Scripture, lead worship, help set up for the meeting, or clean up afterward, etc. The responsibilities of a Chapter meeting can be delegated among members without the need for any of these roles in pages 89-93.