Native American Program

UDTS is a member of the Native American Theological Education Consortium (NATEC). NATEC is a consortium of schools focused on theological education by extension for Native American laity. NATEC utilizes UDTS faculty to conduct workshops in churches and on reservations.

UDTS was instrumental in establishing the NATEC programs in response to the tremendous need to develop lay and ordained leadership for Native American churches.

The seeds of the Native American program were born out of a 1974 study by Cook Christian Training School of Tempe, Arizona, entitled "Mending the Hoop." This study indicated the leadership crisis among the American-Indian/Eskimo churches. Since 1982, UDTS has placed its energy and resources in the Native American residential study program, a program enabling Native Americans to pursue ordination as Ministers of the Word and Sacrament to help stem the crisis of pastoral leadership in Native American congregations.

In the last two decades, 70 students have enrolled in the program, making UDTS a national leader in the training of American Indian and Eskimo leaders.

The Native American residential program enables students to address the crisis of leadership in the Native American community, whether urban or on the reservation. This is carried out through academic course offerings, through immersion trips to Native American communities, and through Supervised Practice of Ministry practicums focusing upon the particularities of a Native American church. The program also assists Native American students in providing pastoral leadership regardless of the context.

The Theological Indian Student Association (TISA) is the campus organization for those with particular interests in Native American ministries. TISA serves to strengthen the Native American community on campus by offering programmatic support to those who are separated from their home communities and extended families.

For more information, click on a link below:

How to Support the Native American Program

Native American Lay Pastor Training Program