Church argues that discipleship among Native peoples is best undertaken as a spiritual journey that has at its core biblical instruction and mentoring by individuals and families that model a lifestyle that reflects transformation in Jesus Christ.
When accompanied by the 'contextual' use of Native rites such as the Sweat Lodge Ceremony, the Pipe Ceremony, and Powwow dancing and singing with the drum, participants who go through these 'rites of passage' experience an increased sense of spiritual well-being and self-esteem through this authentic Native expression of their Christian faith.
The book illustrates deep reflection and integration of biblical teaching in the preparation and practice of these Native rites, transforming the old embedded meanings of these rites, while retaining their distinctive familiarity for participants.
Church shows how the integration of biblical instruction, the practice of a biblical lifestyle, and contextual sacred and ceremonial rites in alcohol recovery and family camp ministries have together led to recovery and spiritual development in Christ.
We commend this book to anyone who has a serious commitment to making disciples in Native American communities.
- Sherwood Lingenfelter, Senior Professor, and Judith Lingenfelter, Affiliate Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA.
This book is .
both authentic and, equally importantly, theologically and biblically sound.
In these pages you will read of a journey that many have longed to take and are now being guided along through the life and lens of a gifted practitioner and his family.
-Terry Le Blanc (Ph D, Asbury Theological Seminary) is the Executive Director of Indigenous Pathways and is the founding Chair and current Director of NAIITS.
Casey Church doesn't just write about how to do contextualization, he lives it.
He and his amazing family travel, sing, pray, worship and dance their prayers.
I have watched them over the years .
-Cheryl Bear (DMin, The King's Seminary) is.
Cherohala Press Holy smoke: the contextual use of native american ritual and ceremony, paperback/casey church
