Incompatibility

For many years, I have been involved in what has at times been known as "Native Contextual Ministry". The gist of that involves efforts in two main areas of focus. First, to present the Gospel to Natives within Native culture, using not only traditions, but the Native world view to incarnate Christ within the culture.


Second is to educate majority Christians in Native traditions in a way that shows them that our traditions are not incompatible with Christian orthodoxy. Scriptural parallels for Native traditional practices, along with reconciling theological and ideological concepts is key to this aspect of Contextual Ministry.

Dang, don't I sound like some sort of expert!

So what?

I was an ordained Episcopal Deacon in the Salmon House Diocese of the CCI. I recently resigned my ordination because my personal life choice was viewed as incompatible with my title. I actually agreed that was the case. For a time I was proud of that title, however.
Now I ask myself, what was I thinking?

Titles like Reverend, Bishop or Deacon have no place in Native spiritual tradition. They fit upon our ways like Saul's armor fit upon David. We cannot run in it. We cannot fight in it. It is clumsy and meant for something other than what we do.

Yet there are those who believe in maintaining such titles while still attempting to minister to Natives in a contextual way. I was once one of them. I can see that many with this attitude have a sincere desire to serve, but sincerity isn't enough to overcome the complications of putting Saul's armor on David.

Now, I will allow there is a place for such things. Some people actually need such structures to feel they are honoring God. However, such structures should be adopted voluntarily. They should be kept in the context of accountability rather than authority. Leadership should be by consensus, not constraint.

As soon as someone with a title in front of his or her name starts saying "I am in charge. Do what I say or else" then it is no longer a Native spiritual practice. In fact such an attitude is incompatible with true faith in Christ.

Part of the reason some insist on imposing non-Native structures, lifted from Euro-American traditions, on Native ways is fear. Fear that our ways as they stand, aren't enough. People might err when it comes to theology and doctrine. They are supposedly sheep who need shepherd. While such thinking has Scriptural support, using titles and and ecclesiastical structure that has roots in European feudalism is a dangerous way to proceed.

As feudal nobles used to do, people with titles can convince themselves and each other they are doing God's will, while the people they are supposed to look after are suffering. They viewed people as serving their demands rather than the nobles bearing responsibility for those under their charge.

This attitude is far too prevalent in the majority church. We see this in how easily titles bring with them wealth and power. Serving God can be very profitable for some. Titles stroke egos. However, with such titles come tremendous responsibility to remain humble and sadly far fewer people maintain that humility than they realize.

I cannot tell another man how to follow Creator. Each answers to his own Master. I can, and will, defend myself and my relations against those who think their titles give them the right to abuse whatever authority they think they have. I'm Mohawk: we have a habit of putting up roadblocks when someone threatens our people. LOL

As for me, if someone wants to give me any title besides my name, I am going to run the other way.


Thanks for listening,
Raianerastha