Friday, May 27, 2011
2:00 p.m. Lewis Library
Princeton University

The James Madison Program at Princeton University and the Fox Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania sponsored a lecture entitled “More God, Less Crime: More a Leap of Faith or a Matter of Fact” .  In many ways the event was a return home for me as I was previously employed at the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University before being recruited to Baylor University in 2004.  My friends and former colleagues Robert George (Princeton University) and John DiIulio (University of Pennsylvania) co-hosted the event.  We were also joined by my long-time friend, Eugene Rivers, one of the leaders in establishing the TenPoint Coalition and the well-documented “Boston Miracle” in reducing youth violence.  This story was covered by Newsweek Magazine on June 1, 1998 (see picture below) and is documented in Chapter 2 of More God, Less Crime.

5:30 – 7:30 pm

Sweetwater Sound
5501 US HWY 30 West
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818

For More Information Contact: 260-446-2205  or email at: faithbasedmentoring@gmail.com

This Philanthropy Roundtable event will explore an alternative approach that promotes economic opportunity, rather than handouts. How can we help people break the cycle of dependency and help themselves?

Sessions include “Dismantling Impediments to the American Dream,”  “How Can we help the Poor Find Work and Build Wealth?” and “Five Tough Questions for Donors,” which features philanthropists and the metrics, strategies and grantees that they support.

Byron Johnson will be one of the featured speakers.

For more information, visit the website of the Philanthropy Roundtable: http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/events/helping_people_to_help_themselves

You will hear from chaplains, former prisoners, professionals in the field, clergy, lay leaders, and perhaps even a few interested skeptics. We will feature the latest research and journal articles on topics like offender treatment, prisoner reentry, and holistic approaches to crime prevention.  I hope you will be encouraged to consider how community transformation through the intentional involvement of faith communities is a tangible possibility. We are in the process of writing a “How To” manual that will provide individuals, groups, and ministries with a practical guide for establishing and strengthening faith-based approaches.  All these resources will be made available online and will be free of charge.

I look forward to being a regular participant in this important discussion. My book was written with the intent of reaching everyday people that fill the pews of thousands of houses of worship all across the country. Likewise, this website was designed for the people who are already in the trenches in various faith-based and community-based initiatives, or those that desire to be engaged.  Thank you for your continuing participation and interest in discovering effective strategies and faith-based solutions for some of our most difficult social problems.

All my best,

Byron

Background: Since it was first published in 2011 More God, Less Crime has helped to foster a national debate about how faith-based approaches are making a difference and what future collaborations between sacred and secular groups might look like in addressing problems like youth crime, offender treatment, prisoner reentry, and aftercare. In order to facilitate this national discussion, Templeton Press has decided to host a competition to honor exemplary efforts that all too often go unnoticed. Winners will receive the More God, Less Crime Prize.

GO HERE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION

More God, Less Crime

February 10, 2012

by Kerby Anderson

Faith-based organizations and people of faith can make a profound impact on the
crime rate and the recidivism rate in our prisons. This is the argument that renowned
criminologist Byron Johnson makes in his book, More God, Less Crime. He is a
professor at Baylor University and was on my radio program to talk about the many
success stories and the transformative power of faith.

Sadly most social scientists and even criminologists seem reluctant to make the
connection between faith and the impact religious perspectives could have on America’s
crime problem. Dr. Johnson believes that a faith-based ministry or message doesn’t
resonate with most social scientists. Many are even hostile to religion as demonstrated by
the opening chapter in his book entitled, “The Last Acceptable Prejudice.”

Dr. Johnson also says that faith-based organizations are merely tolerated within
the criminal justice system. In some places, they are seen as valuable and even helpful. In
other jurisdictions, they are viewed with suspicion. This is unfortunate since the criminal
justice system is facing cutbacks and shrinking budgets. Prison ministries like Bill Glass,
Prison Fellowship, and Kairos Prison Ministry can provide people and programs that can
make a difference. Faith-based organizations of all kinds can provide volunteers and
educators to help with programs in life skills and adult education.

The book is full of positive examples of what can happen when Christians get
involved in their local community. He tells the story of “The Boston Miracle” where
police and pastors worked together to break the stranglehold gangs had in the
community. He also talks about the mission of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise
and violence-free zones. And he even gives practical advice on the important issue of
prisoner reentry and aftercare.

Most importantly, he provides a review of the literature so that churches and faith-
based organizations can show skeptics that the title of the book is true: More God, Less
Crime. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that’s my point of view.

Truevine Missionary Baptist Church
3732 Miller Avenue
Fort Worth TX  76119
817-534-3764

www.tmbcfw.org

March 17, 2012
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
(Check in starts at 8:30 a.m.)

 FOR A BROCHURE OF THE CONFERENCE CLICK HERE

ONLINE registration available at

http://www.rjmntexas.net/march17.htm

Questions – contact Anita at  936-291-2156 or

by email at arparrish@sbcglobal.net

Food Faith Friday – Friday, March 2, 2012 – 11:30 a.m. (food service begins) Program begins promptly at noon

First Baptist Church downtown, 108 W. College Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida

We all know that religion is the source of much conflict and division in our world, but does it also contribute to the common good? On balance, is religion an asset or a liability? What is the data on faith-based programs, especially related to crime and in prison rehabilitation?Joining the God Squad for this month’s discussion is renowned criminologist (and FSU grad) Byron Johnson, president of the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion and a senior fellow at Princeton University’s Witherspoon Institute. The forum will look at Johnson’s work on the role of religion in promoting the common good generally and in crime rates, prisons and recidivism specifically.

for registration:  http://wiki.tothevillagesquare.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=14647361

For more information: Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion

With youth violence on the national agenda, now is the time for the first ever national conference to address this critical issue and bring together law enforcement executives and leaders of faith-based organizations. The RECAP Summit is a must-attend conference for law enforcement, clergy, researchers and policy makers to come together for education, networking, and sharing of best practices to enhance community policing efforts. Byron Johnson, author of More God, Less Crime, will be just one of many distinguished speakers at this two day event. More information can be found at Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion website.

March 12 – 13, 2012
The National Press Club | Washington, DC

Can you see faith institutions playing a larger role in violence reduction in your area?

Do you want to?

Do you believe faith-based groups are a missing element in your community’s law enforcement strategy?

Do you believe working partnerships between law enforcement and faith-based organizations are possible even in the midst of poor community relations, and political differences?

Do you want to learn the best practices in developing public safety partnership strategies and relationships?

A Pulse Networking Event

Building Better Partnerships to Reduce Gang Violence:
How the Faith-based Community, Law Enforcement and the Youth Can Come Together.

Why faith-based organizations and law enforcement must develop effective working relationships.

Many cities see gang violence increasing, and are suffering its consequences from the loss of human life to related law enforcement expenses. With increasing budget pressures, everyone from mayors and police chiefs are looking for more cost effective approaches. Faith-based organizations can play an important role as they have the indigenous leadership accepted by the community, are located in the targeted areas, and have a volunteer base.

In this conference you will learn:

• • The role of faith-based organizations in violence reduction
• • How law enforcement can develop effective partnerships with faith-based organizations
• • Examples of activities faith-based organizations can do to get started
• • Opportunities to take existing work to the next level
• • Cases of where faith-based organization and law enforcement are working together and the amazing results.
• • How to form coalitions among key stakeholders despite ego, politics, and territorialism.