Holy Smoke: The Contextual Use of Native American Ritual and Ceremony

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 LeBlanc (PhD, 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 a musician, singer, pastor and evangelist and conference speaker When we had our first national Native college student conference (Would Jesus Eat Frybread) in 2012, the most pressing questions students were asking was ‘Can I be Native and Christian?’ In 2016, it seems they are no longer asking ‘Can I?’ But ‘How can I be Native and Christian?’ In Holy Smoke, Church shares from his life experience – both personal and practical – in ways that will help young Natives who are striving to seek Jesus while honoring their cultures and traditions to answer this question for themselves. –Megan Murdock Krischke, Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma, National Native Ministry Coordinator for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship If you are involved in outreach to the indigenous community, Dr. Church’s book, Holy Smoke, should be on your list of required reading. I have worked with Casey for 16 years and not only do I consider him a great friend but also a mentor in things Native. –Duane Bristow, Executive Director, Navajo Brethren In Christ Mission and Pastor, First Nations Gathering  To walk in the liminal spaces of rituals and ceremony can lead to healing, transformation and innovation. Casey is calling Native leaders back to the traditional way of growth through life stages by the Rites of Passage. Rituals and ceremonies can be contextualized for the Native people who walk with Jesus. Wiconi’s Family Camp and The Brethren in Christ Ministry are two organizations that have led the way through the liminal space of contextualization. –Donnie Begay, Nations Ministry Executive Director