Photo by Teri Tobey (PNW) for the Western Jurisdiction.
By Kristen Caldwell, WJ Communications
The Western Jurisdictional Conference is reinforcing its commitment to Indigenous people and places after adopting an extensive, detailed plan from the Committee on Native American Ministries, which includes increased funding to take on this work.
The plan for Indigenous Ministries details four basic principles:
- Telling the truth, acknowledging harms that have been done, and so helping liberate us all, as we grow in equitable and just sibling relationships with Native American Peoples across the Western Jurisdiction.
- Identify actions of repair and engage in these actions to enable healing, and to create the context for healthy relationships to form and flourish.
- Consultation with Indigenous leaders about property and asset discernment.
- Identify, develop, and resource Indigenous leaders in ministry to serve Indigenous-focused churches and communities across the Western Jurisdiction.
The plan was presented by CONAM committee members Rev. Dr. Allen Buck and Murray Crookes. Since the 2022 WJ Conference, committee members have been working with other committees and individuals to develop the detailed plan that was presented to WJ delegates on Friday. Additionally, while adopting the WJ budget for the next quadrennium, delegates approved spending more than $100,000 over the quadrennium to provide resources and support for conferences and local ministry settings.
“In this plan, we attempt a new beginning,” said Buck, who serves as the pastor of Great Spirit UMC in Portland, Oregon, as well as the director of the Greater Northwest Area’s Circle of Indigenous Ministries.
The plan includes direction for annual conferences to take inventory of current ministries, participate in truth-telling about the harms the church has historically committed against Indigenous people, participate in acts of reparation, support leadership development opportunities for Indigenous leaders, and more.
It’s a 10-year plan that calls for at least one Native leader to be serving each Native ministry location by 2030. The plan encourages conferences to create policies related to the sale of their current assets and share profits with local CONAMs.
Buck said this is about working together in a good way – a phrase he said is used by Indigenous people to talk about a right way in relationships and a balance that establishes.
“This plan invites us to be together in a good way, in a way where we labor together, where we strive together, where we follow Christ together in seeking the kin-dom, the sacred family of God,” he said.
After the plan was adopted and the budget was approved to expand funding, there was a call from delegates for a moment of prayer for the Indigenous leaders who must go into spaces to hear the stories of trauma and harm the church has caused Indigenous people.
Indigenous leaders from around the Western Jurisdiction came forward as bishops stepped down off the stage to surround them in support and solidarity as prayers were issued and an Indigenous song rose up through the air.
