WNAM
I'm flying out this afternoon to Rapid City for a Wesleyan Native American Ministries Board Meeting.
Native American ministry is perhaps, the most difficult ministry field in North America. There is a huge suspicion of "white man's gospel." We've given them good reason to be skeptical.
Down through the years, Native Americans have been oppressed by white people, often in the name of Christianity. For instance, many of the "boarding schools" were run by churches. Native Americans don't have much good to say about that experiment.
Effective "leadership paradigms" from other contexts, often fall woefully short when applied to Native American ministry. I think it's a mistake to try to force it. If we do, it's much like when the 19th Century missionaries dressed the Lakota up in suits.
So far, after 400 years of bad haircuts, it's still not working. But, there has to be SOME key to their hearts. There has to be SOME means of effective leadership for Native American ministry.
Native American ministry is perhaps, the most difficult ministry field in North America. There is a huge suspicion of "white man's gospel." We've given them good reason to be skeptical.
Down through the years, Native Americans have been oppressed by white people, often in the name of Christianity. For instance, many of the "boarding schools" were run by churches. Native Americans don't have much good to say about that experiment.
Effective "leadership paradigms" from other contexts, often fall woefully short when applied to Native American ministry. I think it's a mistake to try to force it. If we do, it's much like when the 19th Century missionaries dressed the Lakota up in suits.
So far, after 400 years of bad haircuts, it's still not working. But, there has to be SOME key to their hearts. There has to be SOME means of effective leadership for Native American ministry.
God will show you the way! Thank you for your obedience and willingness to learn a new way, and to follow the road less traveled.
ReplyDeleteWNAM is being closed. The school year is over. The staff are getting $100 for every
ReplyDeleteyear worked, whoope. Resources are being
disposed of. Not one consideration for the
students needs.