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Post by dakotavicar on Mar 20, 2007 18:25:30 GMT 1
In February, 2007 the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota (TEC) released its theological position paper for the process that is known as the Bishop's Commission on Mission Strategy (BCMS) (info about the BCMS at www.episcopalmn.org/bcms ). The following link takes you to the PDF file of the Theology Position Paper ( www.episcopalmn.org/bcms/article32635c573186.htm ). Why is this posted here in the Indigenous Theology Forum? Because the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota has in the past and currently holds in its mission with indigenous people as central and core to its identity as a Diocese. I propose that the BCMS and the underlying theological position paper will remove indigenous mission (most mission actually) from the Diocesan structure and mission. |
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Post by hushasha40 on Mar 21, 2007 19:00:53 GMT 1
John: I would like to hear more about the specific reasons that you have come to believe that the BCMS and the position paper will remove Indigenous Mission from the diocesan structure and mission.
After reading through the document, I was worried in three specific areas in regard to Native American ministries. In section 39, the word "costly" is used to describe advocacy for Native Americans and other oppressed populations. In section 50, the choice of the words "making a sacrificial commitment" has in the past workings of the church at the national and local level often covertly been understood as the ministries and/or programs geared for or toward Native American and other "minority" groups. Finally, in section 58, the emphasis on mission to immigrant communities is also viewed with suspicion by those immersed in Native Ministries because of past national and local attempts to commit resources meant for Native Ministries to other ministries intended for immigrants.
However, I am not alarmed by the greater body of the paper as I also see the call for thinking of mission in new ways vital to Native Ministries. The old missionary model does not work in the long term. As you heard last week from Jeff Nelson, the "Feather Meets the Cross" ministry is thriving and yet our only paradigmatic thinking is that this ministry should become "Episcopal" and therefore gain some type of legitimacy that I believe it does not need in any case. All of our current missions in Minnesota and most in the USA are saddled with property which forces us to spend inordinate amounts of time and energy around issues of property, insurance, and institutional power instead of actualization of discipleship.
Do you believe that the Minnesota Department of Indian Work and/or the Minnesota Committee on Indian Work should draft a formal paper in reply?
Donald
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Post by ddddyyyy on Jul 2, 2009 7:27:24 GMT 1
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Post by Gerard Willemsen on Jul 14, 2009 15:19:16 GMT 1
It is a pity that the discussion never developed further after Donalds reply. Maybe your comment puts some new life in this thread!
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