Comments on: Ordained for the whole church

By: Sandra Vander Schaaf

Sandra Vander Schaaf — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 19:38:10 +0000

In reply to Sheila Cook. I didn't know about this proposed restriction on Indigenous leaders and caregivers in the church. It's shameful.

By: Vander Schaaf, Sandra

Vander Schaaf, Sandra — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 19:36:46 +0000

Hear! Hear! How frustrating to have to deal with this kind of discrimination. If there’s a conversation to be had about properly equipping ordained leaders, perhaps we could start with the harm of a theological education often centred exclusively on the work of white, male theologians, and taught in institutions invested in keeping control in the hands of non-Indigenous power holders. Thank you, Archbishop Mark, for advocating so ably for much-needed change.

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 10 May 2021 15:29:26 +0000

“If they (the ordained) are not thoroughly acquainted with a Western Seminary education, they must be restricted in where they are able to serve….”. This could be said about any newly ordained person who is placed out of their element, i.e. urban, rural, eastern, central, western Canada.

Ethics, Theology, Pastoral and Biblical standards a given..
Maybe the Western indoctrinated seminary education needs to get the training programme out of the books and back among the people and listen to their needs in a manner more grounded and round to not only local needs, but all the church needs.

By: Barry Rose

Barry Rose — Sat, 08 May 2021 12:55:18 +0000

Amen!

By: Bruce M.

Bruce M. — Sat, 08 May 2021 01:18:59 +0000

In reply to Matt S. I agree.

By: Catherine Pate

Catherine Pate — Wed, 05 May 2021 18:57:05 +0000

Thank you for pulling back the veil Archbishop Mark. You are gracious in your observations. But, is the church ready to look at what is behind this “mischief”? By what measures, for example, is a white (Western) seminary education somehow universally applicable while otherwise-educated clerics (i.e. those educated by and in context) are really only kind of ordained? Isn’t ordained ordained? “I have known a thousand of these men and women, and most of them would last longer in an urban or suburban parish than their “ordained-for-the-whole-church” counterparts would last on a reserve.”- I hear a mic drop.

By: Vicki Townson

Vicki Townson — Wed, 05 May 2021 13:57:01 +0000

Thank you for your words here, Archbishop Mark – well said.

By: Matt S

Matt S — Tue, 04 May 2021 01:13:08 +0000

Very well said, Archbishop Mark. It’s time that we “Western” Christians understand that the needs and tools of Indigenous peoples are not always identical to what’s deemed “normal”. First Peoples know what is best for them, and it’s time they’re listened to, rather than people wagging fingers over what’s allegedly lacking in those who wish to serve. Blessings.

By: Sheila Cook

Sheila Cook — Sun, 02 May 2021 17:30:47 +0000

Ki-nanâskomitin, I thank you Abba Mark