Protocol & Worldview In First Nations Culture
This weeks blogging will be quite different than normal as we are currently hosting the Youth With A Mission Western Canada Leadership Team (YWAM WCLT) meetings here in Winnipeg. We began yesterday evening, but are currently jumping into the agenda this morning with some exciting emphasis. More than half of our ministries in Western Canada are engaged with or to First Nations people and/or communities. YWAM, especially in our district, seeks to engage culture mindful of the history of of Western Christianity destroying and even demonizing it, moving rather towards reconciliation, mutuality and respect.
Part of this has been acknowledging and practicing our missional engagement through the context of indigenous protocol, honouring the people we are meeting as the host peoples of this nation (and specifically in our regions). Here in Winnipeg, some of the church/youth groups that work with us are often confused and concerned when they come to our office and spot tobacco on our supply shelf. The reason we have this is to give to the elders we meet with on occassion in the city. This is a simple aspect of protocol, with many others being very complex. Note, protocol is not these acts themselves, but the worldview beneath and within them.
Obviously, as Christians we need to be informed and careful so not unwittingly support, promote or participate in compromising practices. However, with very few exceptions, while unfamiliar to us, the vast majority of these protocols are cultural practices that in no way violate our Christian faith. Further, there are so many wise Christians leaders within the First Nations community whose voices have been too long ignore my the (largely white) church. The beauty of the results is worth the work.
However, alongside protocol, we also want to learn to enter into partnership with the First Nations people. While we do ministry to and for them, we desperately need to do ministry with them, even learn from them. Again, this is not to say that protocol is simply a ritual or ceremonial act that has to happen before the “real stuff” begins. Protocol is an integrated worldview. In order to build partnership, we need to get beyond this one dimensional view of protocol and be willing to humble ourselves to learn how to build genuine relationships.
As critical as this is for YWAM, it is equally critical for the Canadian (and North American) church. I look forward to the coming discussion, though not with a degree of fear- not negatively, but out of reverent expectation. I’ll keep you posted.
Do you have any questions about this issue? Do you have any stories or experiences? I’d really love to hear from you.
Jamie,
I agree with your desire to be sensitive and we (Evangelicals?) need to get over our fear that everything outside of our experience must be demonic. One piece that I’ve realized is that our Western emphasis on efficiency is not helpful in working in these contexts. We need to build trust, develop relationships and share some experiences, not so they will listen to us, but so we will be ready to hear God’s wisdom to us, from them.
Peace,
Norm
Norm,
That is so true. Even when we recognize it, it is very difficult to change it, as it is so ingrained into our worldview and thus our choices, thought processes, etc. Thanks for pointing out this very central challenge.
Peace,
Jamie
I remember my first interaction and participation with a mainly native (first nations) congregation. The lesson i took away was that I needed to put aside my cultural bias – not the white man’s bias, but the western Christian bias.
Christianity has borrowed so much from so many different cultures over the two centuries it has been around, sometimes I wonder if Paul, Matthew, John or any of the other “fathers” of the church would recognize how we express our faith, and if they would consider portions of that expression to be heresy.
Something to think about…..
Hey Chris,
Yeah, that is very true. The challenge is recognizing how much of our culture needs to be put aside without losing out in the good aspects of our culture- and yes, there are good things about being white, western Christians. Thanks for weighing in.
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie I’ve been doing ministry on the Pauquachin Band reserve here on Vancouver Island for a little over a year now. It has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences of my life. It still amazes me the we find ourselves there, after the abuse by the church through residential schools…it is humbling and an honour to be there. But, because of this we have had to move very slow, to engage and build relationships ( the old saying, preach the gospel at all times and use words when necessary ). We have learnt to respect and honor their culture…we use it to engage the gospel…rather than discard and ignore it.
The hard part has been getting other faith communities to partner in this adventure. There is no getting away from the reality that this is long term mission…not jumping in for a few weeks and then jumping out. I’m find alot of faith communities don’t want to make that type of commitment.
Our goal is not to plant a church, but rather they develop into a christ centered community…that they learn to worship ( Romans 12:1-2 )in the context of their own culture.
I think it is a tragedy that the church through residential schools tried to remove there culture…rather than engage and try and help them to see Christ in it. Anyways, Jamie that’s just a bit of the ongoing story. Peace…Ron+
Ron,
Thanks for sharing your story. That is a wonderful and difficult journey to take, but one I greatly respect. If you need any connections with people who can help transition through culture and protocol (if it is something you need, that is), please don’t hesitate to ask.
Peace,
Jamie
Hey Jamie, thanks so much for the offer…if you can suggest anything I should be reading, or links…that would be awesome. Peace…Ron+
Ron,
If you want to contact me offline, I can probably give you more suggestions. Off the top of my head, a friend of mine, Anita Keith, has 4 books worth reading:
“Rise Up!: Shaping the Future of Indigenous Ministry Through Cross-Cultural Partnership”
“For Our Children, Our Sacred Beings: Understanding The Impact Of Generational Trauma On Our Aboriginal Youth”
“Sacred Learning: Establishing a Model for Native Education”
“Sacred Children, Sacred Teachers: Addressing the Future of First Nations Education”
Again, email me and I will likely have a broader list.
Peace,
Jamie