Course Description

The Residential School tragedy highlights the need for senior church leaders to examine the Church’s prevailing Indigenous perspectives and practices. This course aims at helping build a healthy respect for Indigenous identity as “other”, neither vilifying or idealizing, but seeking to become an ally.

Throughout this six-class course, you’ll explore the topics of Indigenous religion and spirituality (Indigenizing theology); treaties, both ancient and contemporary (Indigenous Story and Land and the role of preaching); a brief history of the interaction between the Church and Indigenous Peoples (The Indigenous Christ); finally, the history of reconciliation in Canada (Indigenous conceptions of identity and evangelism). Through this, you’ll develop a healthy respect for Indigenous Peoples to help build a climate of collaboration within your life and community.

This course will help you:

Begin to describe Indigenous spirituality in a respectful manner.
Examine and critique the questions dominant society has used to explore Indigenous spirituality (i.e. are we being fair?).
Develop the ability to compare and contrast Indigenous spiritualities and perspectives.
Document the environmental, cultural, and historical influences shaping the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians.
Discuss ways of partnership between Indigenous Peoples and Canadian churches.
Integrate and articulate your own views of de-colonizing or Indigenizing identity.
Workshop a message series or ministry initiative with collaborative feedback.
Class Schedule

Be ready to learn every second Wednesday at 2-3:30 PM PDT / 5-6:30PM EDT on Zoom!

First Class: Wednesday, September 22

Second Class: Wednesday, October 6

Third Class: Wednesday, October 20

Fourth Class: Wednesday, November 3

Fifth Class: Wednesday, November 17

Sixth Class: Wednesday, December 1

Who is this for?

This Master Class is designed for church leaders, with an emphasis on those who lead ministry or engage with preaching and teaching. Though a degree is not required, a Masters of Divinity level of engagement is encouraged. This course offers a safe and hospitable space where we wrestle respectfully with the material together.

Meet the Speaker

Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred is a husband, father and grandfather. He was ordained with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. He is status Cree from Swan River Band, Treaty 8. Born in Northern Alberta, he now resides with his wife in Richmond. Ray is the Interim Academic Dean and Director of the Indigenous Studies Program at the Vancouver School of Theology, whose mission is to partner with the Indigenous Church around theological education.

Formerly Ray served as Assistant Professor of Theology at Ambrose Seminary in Calgary. He is a former chairperson and board member for Indigenous Pathways. He is former Director for the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada, now a committee member, where he works to encourage Indigenous churches.