At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good
While the world becomes increasingly complex, professionalized, and disconnected, the church is experiencing a crisis of identity. Do we follow suit and strive to out-program, out-professionalize, and out-attract the rest of the world? Or do gather at the table and focus on the small and simple community-based practices that have been our strength across the generations?
At the Table is a Podcast for church leaders interested in community-based ministry that contributes to the common good via mutual relationships, spiritual practice, simplicity, and an awareness of God’s activity in our communities. Each month, we will have conversations with leaders and practitioners of community-based ministry to reflect on and learn about the core practices, theological underpinnings, and immediate invitations of this important work. We believe that something miraculous happens when Christian community gathers with neighbors at the table.
You can learn more about the work of place-based ministry and the common good by visiting www.nicholastangen.com and subscribing to Nicholas Tangen's Newsletter.
At the Table: Christian Community for the Common Good
Churches and Indigenous Histories: A Conversation with Kelly Sherman Conroy
Today’s episode is a conversation with Kelly Sherman-Conroy, a storyteller, healer, church worker, and the first Native Woman Theologian with a PhD in the ELCA. She is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation and has devoted her life to creating space, recognition, and belonging for indigenous Christians in a dominant culture church.
Kelly is one of the hardest working people I know, speaking often at churches, seminaries, and colleges. Leading Sacred Site tours in the Twin Cities, and teaching churches about indigenous culture and the work faith communities can do to accompany native neighbors. She works full time in a congregation in St Anthony MN, and she’s a mother. I was grateful that she carved out some time to talk with me.
In this episode we talk about Kelly’s work and her sense of call, why it’s important for churches to understand indigenous history, and what the ELCA’s work with Indigenous communities has meant for her. I hope you have as much fun listening, as I did talking, with Kelly Sherman-Conroy.
You can keep up with Kelly's work by visiting her website www.kellysconroy.com.
Kelly's brother, who is mentioned in this episode is Sean Sherman, the founder and CEO of the Sioux Chef, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most influential people in the world.
You can find Joy Harjo's poem "Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings" here.
Music by orangery from Pixabay
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