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  •  Native American Ministry Profile    

     

     

     

     

     

    Introduction


    Southern Baptists' first efforts in home missions were rooted in taking the gospel to the indigenous people and tribes of North America.  For more than 150 years, Southern Baptists have continued these efforts with mixed results.  Currently, there are 700 Native American Southern Baptist churches across North America, but there remains much work to do in carrying out Christ's commission to make disciples of all nations.


    Here are some important facts that have great implications on Native American church planting:

    • Today, there are 746 federal, non-federal, and state recognized Native American and First Nations tribes and bands in North America.
    • The U.S. government currently holds 275 land trusts around the country, ranging from less than 100 acres to over 16 million acres.  These reservations and villages encompass a total of more than 56.2 million acres.  This does not include Canadian reserves.
    • Based on the 1990 U.S. census, the Native American population is approximately 2.3 million in the U.S. alone.
    • The Canadian government reports an additional 80,000 First Nations (indigenous) people within their borders.
    • Some have estimated that despite long-term efforts to carry the gospel to Native Americans and First Nations people, 92% are still without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
    • U.S. demographics show that a majority of the Native American population resides away from established reservations -- potentially 70%.
    • The median age of Native Americans in the U.S. is 16-22 years.


    All of these factors combined ought to be reflected in Native Amercian and First Nations church planting strategies.  

     


    Factors to Consider


    Native Americans have many inherent issues that must be addressed in order to effectively communicate the gospel.  Through more than 300 years of forced settlement and resettlement, as well as various levels of assimilation, Native American culture has experienced drastic changes.  However, Native Americans are a proud people who strongly identify with the factors that make them a unique and valuable portion of the social make up of North America.


    Non-Native American individuals, who are trying to share the gospel with Native American peoples, must learn their cultural values.  They must also learn the language.  Through these efforts, the hearts of Native American people will be most receptive to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.


    The most effective means of sharing the gospel in a Native American context is to utilize Native American believers.  These believers can tell people in their own tribal context how Jesus has made a difference in their lives.  This is also the Biblical pattern found in John 4. 


    Obviously, there are other examples of cross-cultural evangelism.  Thus, there needs to be a healthy balance in missionary efforts.  The most successful Non-Native American missionaries are those who have intentionally sought to win and disciple Native American believers, teaching them how to do the same with their own people.

     


    Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Native Americans


    Traditional Native Americans are characterized by their use of tribal language, cultural practices, beliefs, and teachings.  Most live on or near reservations, or in rural communities with a definable Native population.  The majority of traditional Native Americans can be found where reservations are more isolated from outside cultural influences.


    Non-traditional Native Americans are very diverse.  Education and contact with the dominant surrounding culture has contributed to the varying degrees of assimilation found among this group. 


    1. Those who abandon their culture and heritage.  Tribal language and cultural practices are lost by severing their ties with the Native American community.  They usually marry non-Native Americans and do not teach their children Native American heritage.


    2. Those who recognize the need to assimilate into the dominant culture.      They maintain only those cultural characteristics that help them survive in the dominant society.


    3. Those who choose to be bilingual and bicultural.      This group takes advantage of both worlds.  They tend to be tolerant of past wrongs.  They prefer to live on or near reservations, but are not strongly committed to it or its cultural practices.


    4. Those who have a renewed interest in their cultural heritage.      This group is largely middle-class.  They are typically well-educated.  They often voice their objections to past wrongs.


    5.  Those who openly identify with their cultural heritage.      They have minimal contact with non-Native Americans.  They maintain close ties with tribal members, participate in community activities, and support tribal interests.

     


    Education


    Treaties with the U.S. and Native American tribes provided for the establishment of Native American schools.  Most of the schools were intentionally located away from reservations.  Today, many of the boarding schools are closed or have been relocated to or near Native American areas.  Public schools have become the primary means for education.  Below are significant factors related to Native Americans and education:

    • Approximately 35% of Native Americans have less than an elementary education.
    • Less than 25% graduate from high school.
    • The median level of education for men on reservations is 9.4 years.  For women, it is 9.7 years.
    • Only 3.5% of Native American men, and 2.5% fo women complete four years of college.  Less than 1% of these men and women attain post-graduate degrees.

     


    Family Dynamics


    The state of the Native American family is in disrepair.  Common-law marriages have become the norm.  Many children are born to teenage mothers, and then raised by grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  The extended family and the clan are core values among Native Americans.  It is not uncommon for Western tribes, who reside on reservations, to have several members of the extended family living in the same home.


    Native Americans who reside in urban areas can be divided into three distinct groups -- 1st generation, 2nd generation, and 3rd generation.


    First Generation Native Americans are those who leave the reservation for more urban areas.  They have close ties with their cultural way and customs.  They also maintain relationships with relatives on the reservation.  When arriving in urban areas, these Native Americans seek out other relatives and other first generation tribal members to associate with.


    Second Generation Native Americans are one step removed from their tribal heritage.  They develop friendships with both tribal and non-Native American people.  Their knowledge of tribal history and heritage is minimized.


    Third Generation Native Americans have a modified perception of their culture.  Most do not speak or have knowledge of their tribal language.  More value is placed on success than on maintaining their tribal heritage.  As a result, more importance is placed on education.

     


    Tribal Language


    In 1992, President George Bush repealed a century-old policy that prohibited the use of Native American language in schools.  This policy was a contributing factor to the loss of ancestral languages.  Today, many tribes are experiencing a revival of their tribal languages -- at home and in schools.

     


    Tribal Religions


    Tribal religion is closely tied to tribal cultural, presenting many challenges in the area of evangelism.  Many interpret Christian evangelism efforts to mean they must give up their heritage.  Because of this misconception, the gospel is often met with a cold reception.


    Not only is there a revival of tribal languages, but also a revival of tribal religions.  Over the past 200 years, many tribal religions have undergone different levels of modification.  Some new religious practices have been created.  These various religions include Ghost Dance, Peyote, sun Dance, Sweetgrass, Sweat Lodge, Long House, and the Shaker.  The Native American Church (Peyote religion) is the fastest growing religion among Native Americans.

     


    Southern Baptists and Native Americans/First Nations People


    The majority of Southern Baptist work is done on reservations, while up to 70% of these people reside in urban areas.  While Southern Baptists are the most effective evangelistic group in reaching Native Americans, we cannot be complacent with the amount or quality of our ministry. 


    Our greatest need is "laborers for the harvest."  At any given time, 25% of our Native American churches are without pastors.  Adding this statistic to the number of church planters needed to begin new works, and one becomes quickly overwhelmed.  We are praying that God will call out a host of Native American church planters.  Please join us in this prayer.