Welcome to home in my heart, KB
Schaller. Please tell my readers about the Native American Christian Church and your books.
I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the
surprise many express that there is such a thing as the Native American
Christian Church (NACC). It is not, however, to be confused with the Native
American Church, which incorporates practices not found in the NACC.
In South Florida, where the state's greatest concentration
of Native Americans live, there are at least nine Native churches. In Oklahoma,
by contrast, home to a much greater number of Native peoples, there are some
two hundred fifty churches. Only an estimated three to eight percent of Native
Americans identify as Christian, so congregations tend to be small.
Notwithstanding, most are vibrant, thriving
entities. Native Americans traditionally are spiritual people, and that quality
carries over into their Christianity. Although not all of the congregations have
Native pastors, a good percentage of them do.
Mainstream Christian churches have,
traditionally, tended to be quite Euro-centric, disallowing and labeling all
things Native as pagan and occult.
Lately, though, Native ministries such as Wiconi International have sought
to strip away the "demonizing" of any and all things Indian,
including clothing, native instruments, and hair length restrictions for men.
Others such as Lakota (Sioux)-based He
Sapa (New Life) ministry are increasingly led by "homegrown"
Native Americans concerned with both the spiritual and temporal lives of Native
people.
In fact, it is the unbending attitudes within
the Euro-
centric church that fuel the angst of my novel's
characters in Gray Rainbow Journey,
winner of a USA Book News National Best Books Award, and its sequel, Journey by the Sackcloth Moon.


While some mainstream Christian churches embrace
Mark 9:40, "For he that is not against
us is on our part", others remain entrenched
against anything that does not reflect Euro interpretations of Scripture.
I can only
hope that all factions will one day move closer toward Galatians 3:28:
"There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are
all one in Christ Jesus."
Thank you for this enlightening post. I love learning something new.
Visit K.B Schaller on her website.
Visit K.B Schaller on her website.
Most interesting post on the NACC. The books look really interesting and the first one has several 5 star reviews on Amazon. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the post. I think the books look good as well. They are on my wish list.--Diana
DeleteHello, Alvarado Frazier,
DeleteMy profound thanks to you for responding. Diana's blog is a wonderful site on which to share ideas. Your positive comment is so much appreciated.
KB Schaller, Author
Great post! So enlightening. Thinking my daughter in particular will enjoy these books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Jennifer. I'm glad to hear your daughter might enjoy them.
DeleteHello, Jennifer,
DeleteSo happy that you found the post enlightening. Thank you so much for your input. It means a lot to a writer to know that his/her voice is heard.
Blessings,
KB Schaller, Author
Awesome--two of my favorite people on one blog together: Diana & K.,B., a nice thing ☺
ReplyDeleteDiana, thanks for hosting K.B. And, it took a while, but I just realized you have a new name for you blog!
K.B., thanks for the eye-opening post. I agree with you totally about Galatians 3:28. I believe in my heart that is what God wants for His beloved children.
Elaine, yes, I have renamed it --again. I think this one feel right so it will probably stay. Diana
DeleteHi, There, Elaine!
DeleteYour comments are deeply appreciated. Glad you found the post eye-opening, and that Galatians 3:28 resonated with you! Thanks so much for responding.
Blessings,
KB Schaller, Author
Diana, Home In My Heart sounds very much you ☺
ReplyDeleteForgot to say that I'm presently reading K.B.'s first novel, albeit too slowly due to lack of reading time, I'm definitely enjoying it!
Thanks Elaine, that's very nice to say.
DeleteGreat interview! Glad KB sent me the info to stop by! Great blog, Diana :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. So glad she sent you.
DeleteRoxie,
DeleteIt was wonderful of you to take the time to share your ideas. Glad you liked the post. All best to you.
And yes, again, Diana's site is a wonderful place to share ideas. Peace and blessings.
KB Schaller, Author
Wonderful post, KB - you actually left me feeling a little shocked that such attitudes towards native spirituality might still exist in the Christian Church. Time we all accepted and learned from each other. Your books sound terrific!
ReplyDeleteThanks also to Diana.
Glenys,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful of you to visit! Thank you for sharing your ideas. All best to you in every good thing.
KB Schaller, Author