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SYNCRETISM OR CONTEXTUALIZATION?
by Rev. Cori M. Waisanen
Syncretism or Contextualization What is the Difference? Dressed in a white-belted robe, a young Presbyterian scholar from South Korea, walked to the podium to address the assembly of the World Council of Churches. Christian scholars from around the world had gathered in Canberra, Australia in 1991 to discuss issues concerning indigenization and contextualization of Christianity. Korean theologian Chung Hyun-Kyung, a keynote speaker, was about to challenge the orthodox foundation of the Church to its core. Chung Hyun-Kyung took off her shoes “to honor the spirits of Australia’s aboriginal people” and then invited the assembly to do the same.
 CONTINUED...
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THE LUCKY SALMON CASINO REVIVAL CENTER
by Ray Levesque
Is the Gospel coming to a slot machine near you?
FULL STORY
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UNBAPTIZED STUFF
by Steven Newcomb, Indian Country Today
Newcomb: Unbaptized Stuff and the ‘Right’ of Christian Discovery
To illustrate what he meant by this lack of sympathy for non-Christians, Lieber recalled a time when he was in Rome in 1823. A girl was amusing a little child in her arms with the contortions of some 10 or 12 beetles the girl had skewered on a knitting needle. When Lieber commented on how cruel it was to treat the beetles in that manner, the girl exclaimed: "It is unbaptized stuff." One meaning of "stuff" is "worthless things or matter."
FULL STORY
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FELLOWSHIPS OF THE HEART
by John Eldredge
Could a small talking circle actually be more important than a Sunday morning service? Could the lack of strength in the Church be caused by neglecting to put "fellowships of the heart" above the "Sunday Morning Big Event?"
FULL STORY
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SERVING MOVEMENTS FOR CHRIST WITHIN OTHER RELIGIONS
by Galen Currah and George Patterson
Suppose that you have been contacted by secret, ‘messianic’ believers who are active members of their communities that follow a major, non-Christian religion. How they became believers is not important. Perhaps they learned a little about Jesus from their own scriptures; they may have seen a vision; or they were shown kindness by some Christians who dared to answer their questions when asked. Anyway, you have accepted to meet with some men to talk about Jesus and steps they should take to follow him more completely. What would you say and do?
MORE...
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THE CHURCH MUST BE CRAZY
by Ray Levesque
Ray Levesque presents a model for evangelism among the Native people... “One of the realities is that natives aren’t stupid and they know when they are being manipulated. But sadly, we as the church have done this for so long, that we don’t even realize that we are manipulating. And many tribes have given up on the church. They have conferences and spiritual gatherings and are looking for ways to heal themselves. The church had their chance and blew it. But we, as emerging leaders don’t have to repeat those earlier mistakes. We can learn from what the church did wrong and try to represent Christ’s love in a different way. I think about the story of the semi-truck that arrived at the reservation with a full load of high heels and cocktail dresses, a gift from the church. It makes me think of creating our own movie called “The Church Must Be Crazy”, like the coke bottle dropping from the sky in front of the Kalihari bushman in the other movie.” (excerpt from the article)
FULL STORY
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RELEASING THE GOSPEL FROM WESTERN BONDAGE
by Jonathan Campbell
The gospel knows no boundaries...
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THE NATIVES RISE AGAIN
by Ray Levesque
The Second Coming of the Good News
FULL STORY
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THE LOST GENERATIONS
by Elizabeth Levesque & Debra Alarie
This paper was written for the Missiological Symposium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on May 29-31, 2003. It was co-written by Elizabeth Levesque, Debra Alarie and edited by Ray Levesque.
The paper describes the First Nations communities and the phenomenon of white, middle-class adoption as an apparent replacement for residential schools.
FULL STORY
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$500,000 TO PLANT A CHURCH
by Ray Levesque
Hey, buddy, can you spare a half a million?
FULL STORY
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WISDOM OF THE CHIEFS: RED JACKET (SENECA - IROQUOIS)
by Elizabeth Levesque
Red Jacket of the Seneca-Iroquois (Hodenosaunee) Nation
"Brother, we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets; you have
got our country, but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion
upon us....
Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve theGreat Spirit;
if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much
about it? Why do not all agree, as you can all read the book?....
CONTINUED...
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TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE
by Ray Levesque
Today is a good day to die...to myself.
FULL STORY
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MESSIANIC MENOMINEE? KOSHER KICKAPOO? O-JEW-BWEY?
by Ray Levesque
Was your grandmother a Cherokee princess? Maybe she was a Jewish princess?
FULL STORY
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THE 6 CHALLENGES OF NATIVE MINISTRY
by Ray Levesque
Looking for easy work? Don't look here, please!
FULL STORY
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THE RED MAN'S BURDEN
by Elizabeth Levesque
I recently came back from the Omak Pow-Wow from Eastern Washington. I was reminded of the beauty and regalness of our people while I was there.
I was also reminded of the Red Man's Burden.
While the Traditional Fancy Dancers were doing their "chicken dance" a young warrior dropped an eagle feather from his regalia. Everything stopped. The floor cleared. The mood turned somber and serious.
The young warrior stood to the side of the dance floor and was immediately...
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SECRET POWWOW DANCERS AND CLOSET CHRISTIANS
by Ray Levesque
Like to Powwow Dance? Like to Go to Church? The only way to be safe is, don't ask, don't tell.
FULL STORY
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PREPARE FOR ASSIMILATION BY FRIENDLY NATIVE AMERICANS
by Ray Levesque
Our Plan to Assimilate North American Immigrants
FULL STORY
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OTHER ARTICLES |
Article
Syncretism or Contextualization?
Syncretism or Contextualization What is the Difference? Dressed in a white-belted robe, a young Presbyterian scholar from South Korea, walked to the podium to address the assembly of the World Council of Churches. Christian scholars from around the world had gathered in Canberra, Australia in 1991 to discuss issues concerning indigenization and contextualization of Christianity. Korean theologian Chung Hyun-Kyung, a keynote speaker, was about to challenge the orthodox foundation of the Church to its core. Chung Hyun-Kyung took off her shoes “to honor the spirits of Australia’s aboriginal people” and then invited the assembly to do the same. CONTINUED...
Article
The Lucky Salmon Casino Revival Center
Is the Gospel coming to a slot machine near you? FULL STORY
Article
Unbaptized Stuff
Newcomb: Unbaptized Stuff and the ‘Right’ of Christian Discovery
To illustrate what he meant by this lack of sympathy for non-Christians, Lieber recalled a time when he was in Rome in 1823. A girl was amusing a little child in her arms with the contortions of some 10 or 12 beetles the girl had skewered on a knitting needle. When Lieber commented on how cruel it was to treat the beetles in that manner, the girl exclaimed: "It is unbaptized stuff." One meaning of "stuff" is "worthless things or matter." FULL STORY
Article
Fellowships of the Heart
Could a small talking circle actually be more important than a Sunday morning service? Could the lack of strength in the Church be caused by neglecting to put "fellowships of the heart" above the "Sunday Morning Big Event?" FULL STORY
Article
Serving Movements for Christ Within Other Religions
Suppose that you have been contacted by secret, ‘messianic’ believers who are active members of their communities that follow a major, non-Christian religion. How they became believers is not important. Perhaps they learned a little about Jesus from their own scriptures; they may have seen a vision; or they were shown kindness by some Christians who dared to answer their questions when asked. Anyway, you have accepted to meet with some men to talk about Jesus and steps they should take to follow him more completely. What would you say and do? MORE...
VIEW ALL ARTICLES
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