Bringing Theological Training to Native Communities
by Rev. David Sternbeck (Nuu-chah-Nulth)
Ministry Staff

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“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me.”  Philippians 3:12

There are times I am struck by how God uses everything—my past, His blessings, my gifts, life circumstances—to prepare me for future service to Him.

I was born Nu-Cha-Nulth, and He instilled in me a love for and a desire to serve my people. As a young believer I was nurtured and mentored in my faith, then He challenged me with a call to formal ministry. God opened doors for long-distance seminary training and blessed me with gifted coworkers in Neah Bay, Washington and in nearby Port Angeles. I am hopeful for ministry expansion among the various tribes located on the Olympic Peninsula.

Now God has given me a vision for ministry in a new—yet somewhat familiar—location. Fairbanks, Alaska. For some time, we’ve wanted to revisit this area where Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S. has been serving for 20 years. We’ve had hopes of establishing partnerships there, building on the strengths of some established faith organizations. After three exploratory trips over the past year, I must say that I’ve fallen deeply in love with Alaska and her people.

When I first arrived at Fairbanks, I found my task a bit daunting. I thought, “Lord, how can I even attempt to identify indigenous leaders in three month-long visits to this state?” But with the help of Zion Lutheran Church and a house church pastored by a young Athabascan man, I’ve developed friendships with several tribal leaders who worship and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As I acquaint myself with different Christian communities in the state, I notice that they all seemed to share a common problem: The lack of training or curriculum to prepare believers for lay ministry. We are presently discussing the use of the Leadership Advancement Process out of Concordia University – Portland to help identify a Native Alaskan to involve in mission.

Then another idea began to emerge. If we could train and equip Native people for lay ministry then—as men sensed a call into pastoral ministry—they could be transplanted into a LCMS congregation to do their seminary work through the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. This idea has been discussed with several Alaskan pastors and Concordia Seminary representatives.

We do—of course—have cultural issues to address. Tribal cultures, Western cultures, denominational cultures… In the past these differences have caused divisions in church and community alike. As a first step in familiarizing indigenous peoples with Lutheran heritage, we’ve established a Native Bible study that meets at Zion Lutheran Church. It is my hope that in this way both Native and non-Native people will become acquainted with each other and will eventually be able to celebrate the beauty of our various God-given cultures and lives.

“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:22