Comments on: Expecting “unprecedented recognition” for Indigenous Ministries http://www.ministrymatters.ca/settingsail/expecting-unprecedented-recognition-for-indigenous-ministries/ Inspiration for Canadian Anglican leaders Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:09:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Vivian Seegers MDiv http://www.ministrymatters.ca/settingsail/expecting-unprecedented-recognition-for-indigenous-ministries/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Vivian Seegers MDiv Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:44:39 +0000 http://www.ministrymatters.ca/?p=978#comment-136 I just cannot see how I can fit in the request for financial support in the many situations I find myself in on a daily basis. Trying to convince the teen that there is an alternative solution to poverty than what the drug dealer is offering, giving hope to the newly sober mother who's young son has just been given a six month sentence or the young woman who believes that her future holds nothing but violence and poverty does not need to hear that her minister needs gas money or that my brakes are going and I may not be able to see her next week because my car insurance runs out. No, I think it would be better to leave the fundraising to those who are better equipped to do so, just as I wouldn't want an accountant going in to do grief counselling...we each have gifts to share and we each have a place in bringing forth the kingdom of God on this abundant Mother Earth. I just cannot see how I can fit in the request for financial support in the many situations I find myself in on a daily basis. Trying to convince the teen that there is an alternative solution to poverty than what the drug dealer is offering, giving hope to the newly sober mother who's young son has just been given a six month sentence or the young woman who believes that her future holds nothing but violence and poverty does not need to hear that her minister needs gas money or that my brakes are going and I may not be able to see her next week because my car insurance runs out. No, I think it would be better to leave the fundraising to those who are better equipped to do so, just as I wouldn't want an accountant going in to do grief counselling…we each have gifts to share and we each have a place in bringing forth the kingdom of God on this abundant Mother Earth.

]]> By: Debbie http://www.ministrymatters.ca/settingsail/expecting-unprecedented-recognition-for-indigenous-ministries/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Debbie Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:21:02 +0000 http://www.ministrymatters.ca/?p=978#comment-127 As a student who grew up in Northern Saskatchewan, where being Caucasian meant that you were in the minority, I have developed a large amount of respect for Indigenous ministries. I feel that the national acknowledgment of Indigenous developed, Indigenous run ministries such as Sacred Circles is a step in the right direction. While I agree that these sorts of ministries should receive General Synods "go ahead" and prayers I get wary thinking of unseen issues that may come if the funding begins to come from the National church. Firstly, it is known that just in general things bring more pride and get given more respect if they are funded by themselves (just look at a 7 year old who saved up their "own money" to buy the toy they wanted or at how much more a teenager takes care of their car if they sprung for it themselves). I believe that we will see more involvement in programs and find that they work better if they are funded more locally. Secondly, if the FUNDING comes from General Synod that leaves more of a window for the RUNNING to eventually begin to come from the National level. When the governing of programs is no longer being done locally, and the people involved in the programs do not know the financial backers (and vice-versa) that raises the chances of abuse (from either side.) As a student who grew up in Northern Saskatchewan, where being Caucasian meant that you were in the minority, I have developed a large amount of respect for Indigenous ministries. I feel that the national acknowledgment of Indigenous developed, Indigenous run ministries such as Sacred Circles is a step in the right direction. While I agree that these sorts of ministries should receive General Synods "go ahead" and prayers I get wary thinking of unseen issues that may come if the funding begins to come from the National church.

Firstly, it is known that just in general things bring more pride and get given more respect if they are funded by themselves (just look at a 7 year old who saved up their "own money" to buy the toy they wanted or at how much more a teenager takes care of their car if they sprung for it themselves). I believe that we will see more involvement in programs and find that they work better if they are funded more locally.

Secondly, if the FUNDING comes from General Synod that leaves more of a window for the RUNNING to eventually begin to come from the National level. When the governing of programs is no longer being done locally, and the people involved in the programs do not know the financial backers (and vice-versa) that raises the chances of abuse (from either side.)

]]> By: David Bowring http://www.ministrymatters.ca/settingsail/expecting-unprecedented-recognition-for-indigenous-ministries/comment-page-1/#comment-117 David Bowring Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:13:48 +0000 http://www.ministrymatters.ca/?p=978#comment-117 I find much reason to affirm the distinct identity of First Nations within the Anglican family. Sacred Circle, ACIP NAIB all play important roles in developing that identity and educating the rest of us. My question is just what is meant by "constitutionally recognise?" The ACC was organised as a federation of dioceses with that famous proviso "a bishop is sovreign in his see." Are we moving towards a different way of constituting General Synod. Are we redefining the relationship between the GC and the dioceses. Are we moving towards taking some power away from the Diocesan Bishops. I am not objecting to such moves. I can see some positive reasons for them all. I just want us to understand what we are doing. I find much reason to affirm the distinct identity of First Nations within the Anglican family. Sacred Circle, ACIP NAIB all play important roles in developing that identity and educating the rest of us. My question is just what is meant by "constitutionally recognise?" The ACC was organised as a federation of dioceses with that famous proviso "a bishop is sovreign in his see." Are we moving towards a different way of constituting General Synod. Are we redefining the relationship between the GC and the dioceses. Are we moving towards taking some power away from the Diocesan Bishops. I am not objecting to such moves. I can see some positive reasons for them all. I just want us to understand what we are doing.

]]> By: ecosophian http://www.ministrymatters.ca/settingsail/expecting-unprecedented-recognition-for-indigenous-ministries/comment-page-1/#comment-116 ecosophian Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:30:11 +0000 http://www.ministrymatters.ca/?p=978#comment-116 What??? You must be joking! These developments of Indigenous Ministry within the Anglican Church of Canada are one of the clearest signs of the Spirit in our nation ... indeed in Turtle Island. As the mainline churches are further and further disestablished, and rightly so, hopefully we will learn the lesson of the cost of being married to the colonial powers-that-be. Leadership and renewal are going to come from the very people who have been marginalized for so many decades by the dominant culture. We should be celebrating this, rather than bemoaning it as a "luxury which should never have been created". Thanks be to the Creator, for raising up the First Peoples of this land! What??? You must be joking! These developments of Indigenous Ministry within the Anglican Church of Canada are one of the clearest signs of the Spirit in our nation … indeed in Turtle Island. As the mainline churches are further and further disestablished, and rightly so, hopefully we will learn the lesson of the cost of being married to the colonial powers-that-be. Leadership and renewal are going to come from the very people who have been marginalized for so many decades by the dominant culture. We should be celebrating this, rather than bemoaning it as a "luxury which should never have been created". Thanks be to the Creator, for raising up the First Peoples of this land!

]]> By: bessborough http://www.ministrymatters.ca/settingsail/expecting-unprecedented-recognition-for-indigenous-ministries/comment-page-1/#comment-113 bessborough Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:46:20 +0000 http://www.ministrymatters.ca/?p=978#comment-113 When will the Anglican Communion see that this is a continuation of a fragmenting of the Church. There was never a need for an "Indigenous Bishop" and it was prompted I fear by the former leader out of a general guilt about the Indian schools and the churches record. The role of this Bishop is very poorly defined/. In a time of austerity, can the Church really afford such a luxury which should never have been created? When will the Anglican Communion see that this is a continuation of a fragmenting of the Church. There was never a need for an "Indigenous Bishop" and it was prompted I fear by the former leader out of a general guilt about the Indian schools and the churches record. The role of this Bishop is very poorly defined/.
In a time of austerity, can the Church really afford such a luxury which should never have been created?

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