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One Church, Many Tribes: Following Jesus the Way God Made You
Since Columbus landed in the West Indies in 1492, Native American tribes have endured more than five centuries of abuse hypocrisy, indifference and bloodshed at the hands of the "Christian" white man. Despite this painful history, a number of Native Americans have found "The Jesus Way" and are proving to be a powerful voice for the Lord around the world. A full- blooded Lakota/Sioux whose bitterness toward whites was washed away by the blood of Christ, Richard Twiss shows that Native American Christians have much to offer the Church and can become a major force for reaching the lost. Full of wisdom, humor and passion, this book examines how the white Church can begin to break down the walls of anger, distrust and bitterness and move toward reconciliation and revival in our land.
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2000
73 people are currently reading
741 people want to read
About the author
Richard Twiss
29 books21 followersRichard Twiss (1954–2013) was the founder and president of Wiconi International, a nonprofit that works for the betterment of Native people and communities by advancing culture, education, spirituality, and social justice in the spirit of Jesus. A member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, his native name was Taoyate Ob Najin, or "He Stands with His People." He is the author of One Church, Many Tribes and Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys.
A widely traveled speaker, activist, educator, author, and networker within the Native North American community, Twiss led Native American performing arts teams and addressed issues of spirituality and justice in hundreds of venues worldwide. He served as a local pastor for thirteen years, worked as national director of Native ministries for the International Bible Society and was the U.S. representative for the World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People Movement. A board member of CCDA (Christian Community Development Association), he was a cofounder of NAIITS (North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies) and Evangelicals for Justice.
Twiss was committed to serving the local Native community in Portland, Oregon, as a respected spiritual leader with his wife, Katherine, who continues his vision today. He was a member of the Portland Indian Leadership Roundtable and was a board member of the city's Native American Youth and Family Center. He also taught at Portland State University, Warner Pacific College, and Sioux Falls and George Fox Seminaries.
A widely traveled speaker, activist, educator, author, and networker within the Native North American community, Twiss led Native American performing arts teams and addressed issues of spirituality and justice in hundreds of venues worldwide. He served as a local pastor for thirteen years, worked as national director of Native ministries for the International Bible Society and was the U.S. representative for the World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People Movement. A board member of CCDA (Christian Community Development Association), he was a cofounder of NAIITS (North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies) and Evangelicals for Justice.
Twiss was committed to serving the local Native community in Portland, Oregon, as a respected spiritual leader with his wife, Katherine, who continues his vision today. He was a member of the Portland Indian Leadership Roundtable and was a board member of the city's Native American Youth and Family Center. He also taught at Portland State University, Warner Pacific College, and Sioux Falls and George Fox Seminaries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 21, 2019
I have really mixed feelings about this book. It is definitely written for a white Christian audience, or an audience that is unaware of the harm that has been done to Native culture, which is why I don't want to write it off, because I know that for some people, a book like this might be their only entry point into important discussions about Native American culture and faith.
I have a lot of misgivings about the book's use of Scripture, about some of the implied end times theology as it relates to evangelism. The final punch bothered me: that the inclusion of Native traditions into Christian life will be an opportunity for evangelism and for converting people to Christ. This is just as exploitative a reason for respecting Native culture as any other, and I wish that the author, a Native American himself, recognized this. Native cultures should be treasured for their own merits, not for the nationalistic, supercessionist-influenced zeal of the white evangelical church.
In short, this book could be a good starting point for some people, but i am afraid a good deal of it tends to unwittingly reinforce the racism that caused this to be a conversation in the first place.
I have a lot of misgivings about the book's use of Scripture, about some of the implied end times theology as it relates to evangelism. The final punch bothered me: that the inclusion of Native traditions into Christian life will be an opportunity for evangelism and for converting people to Christ. This is just as exploitative a reason for respecting Native culture as any other, and I wish that the author, a Native American himself, recognized this. Native cultures should be treasured for their own merits, not for the nationalistic, supercessionist-influenced zeal of the white evangelical church.
In short, this book could be a good starting point for some people, but i am afraid a good deal of it tends to unwittingly reinforce the racism that caused this to be a conversation in the first place.
October 19, 2012
One Church, Many Tribes: Following Jesus the Way God Made You is a refreshing perspective written by Richard Twiss of the Rosebud Lakota/Sioux tribe, who is the cofounder and president of Wiconi International, and a member of the International Reconciliation Coalition. Historical facts, Biblical truths, interesting accounts, and heartfelt passion, this book is a life-changer for many - should be read by all. A necessary message ripe for the time, it calls on Christians to work together as one to bridge age-old disparities—spiritually, mentally, denominationally, and culturally.
First Nations people strengthening drums, flutes, rattles, and dances in making a glorifying sound and anointed movement for the “Waymaker” is inspiring. And it’s so like God to commission Native Americans to graciously speak new life and vision to the church that largely suppressed and/or ignored them, doing so with deeply forgiving hearts, turning injustice into something beautiful. What a testimony!
God is a multiculturalist. Heritage is a gift, and differentiations of culture, music, skin color, etc., are a thing of beauty. One Church, Many Tribes is a prized and endless piece of literature introducing the launch of a vital movement.
First Nations people strengthening drums, flutes, rattles, and dances in making a glorifying sound and anointed movement for the “Waymaker” is inspiring. And it’s so like God to commission Native Americans to graciously speak new life and vision to the church that largely suppressed and/or ignored them, doing so with deeply forgiving hearts, turning injustice into something beautiful. What a testimony!
God is a multiculturalist. Heritage is a gift, and differentiations of culture, music, skin color, etc., are a thing of beauty. One Church, Many Tribes is a prized and endless piece of literature introducing the launch of a vital movement.
December 19, 2020
This powerful book written by Lakota man and follower of Jesus has had a powerful impact on my worldview, and given me a great appreciation for my Tuscarora Iroquan heritage and Scotch-Irish heritage.
Richard Twiss is a hero of mine, like C.S.Lewis. This is a book I will read and re-read. Thankful for this Lakota man's life,writings and legacy.
Richard Twiss is a hero of mine, like C.S.Lewis. This is a book I will read and re-read. Thankful for this Lakota man's life,writings and legacy.
August 30, 2023
At times Twiss is too kind to the western tradition, but this book is poignant because it explicitly relays indigenous contributions to The Jesus Way by deploying Scripture and theology to both challenge and correct the distortions of white colonization.
May 20, 2022
A dated, but decent entry point for white believers who want to learn about First Nation's expressions of Christianity.
The primary premise of the book is Native Americans can keep their culture and embrace Jesus at the same time. He explains how Christianity's failure to evangelize Native Americans is because it forced them to embrace the white man's culture.
The book is good. He tells plenty of stories and nothing is that radical. Over and over it's a simple plea to let Native keep their culture. Even simple things like playing native music in worship.
I found it beautiful and helpful. It is remarkably inoffensive. He bends over backward to try and help white people understand. Those who are more aware of racial dynamics may find this too elementary, but I think the book has a place.
The book shows its age. It was released in 2000 and you cannot but help feel the pre 9/11 optimism. Promise keeper's references abound and the book seems to think revival is right on the horizon. On one hand, it is refreshing to hear such abounding optimism, but it is somewhat lacking in the current discussions on race and the church.
The primary premise of the book is Native Americans can keep their culture and embrace Jesus at the same time. He explains how Christianity's failure to evangelize Native Americans is because it forced them to embrace the white man's culture.
The book is good. He tells plenty of stories and nothing is that radical. Over and over it's a simple plea to let Native keep their culture. Even simple things like playing native music in worship.
I found it beautiful and helpful. It is remarkably inoffensive. He bends over backward to try and help white people understand. Those who are more aware of racial dynamics may find this too elementary, but I think the book has a place.
The book shows its age. It was released in 2000 and you cannot but help feel the pre 9/11 optimism. Promise keeper's references abound and the book seems to think revival is right on the horizon. On one hand, it is refreshing to hear such abounding optimism, but it is somewhat lacking in the current discussions on race and the church.
October 24, 2015
Richard Twiss writes about his own experience as a member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and introduces us to other indigenous tribes along the way. He writes with candor about the many travesties faced by indigenous people all over the world and the ways this has played out across the generations.
He weaves together stories of people who have tried to preserve their traditions and their faith in spite of other Christians. He advocates for their inclusion in the Body of Christ. In all of this, he points back to the divinity and majesty of our Creator, whose love is all encompassing for every people, nation, and tongue.
He weaves together stories of people who have tried to preserve their traditions and their faith in spite of other Christians. He advocates for their inclusion in the Body of Christ. In all of this, he points back to the divinity and majesty of our Creator, whose love is all encompassing for every people, nation, and tongue.
March 28, 2022
This book highlights the opportunities that are possible for indigenous peoples who are Followers of Jesus to be the agents of god in carrying the Gospel into all the corners of the world! It reminds us all of the sadness that comes from the continuous breaking of covenants and treaties and the consequences of those actions to both parties. It gently called me to accept responsibility for wrong actions whether I was the one who did the wrong or not.
November 17, 2023
Outstanding. Every non-Native American believer needs to read this. Must read. I heard Richard at a conference years ago, and he was even more powerful in person.
July 11, 2025
I learned a lot and I appreciated how balanced and insightful Richard Twiss is. Still some things I am still processing.
July 16, 2013
Richard Twiss is a member of the Lakota Sioux tribe and lived in Oregon when this book was written. I had the brief opportunity to hear him speak at a conference in Portland speaking about the Christian Faith of First Nations people and reconcilliation before he passed this past year.
Living in a State that is 1/3rd Native American I learned a lot from Twiss:
Twiss prefers the name First Nations or Indigenous people. He believes this better captures their essence as sovereign, independent, self-determinging as opposed to the name Native Americans (this still defines them based on a Europeon Culture).
Twiss is an outspoken evangelical Christian and it saddens him that 3.5 million Native Americans (our neighbors)are overlooked when it comes to missions. We send groups to Africa, China, India..but what about our neighbors here in America.
Twiss does not want sympathy for the "poor Indian on the reservation." When he spoke at the conference Twiss said, "we don't need out churches and community centers painted again." Twiss wants to see an evangelicalism that is not top down but reciprocal between white and First Nation churches.
Twiss strongly oppposes Syncretism (the belief or practice that says Christ's work is not enough). Sadly, the Christian church of course thought that evangelism to First Nations cultures meant "civilizing the heathen" and stripping the Indigenous person of all that made them what they were and creating Indigeneous churches that in worship and culture looked exactly like a white church. Twiss wants reconcilliation of Indigenous culture..He wants to reclaim the use of drums, gourds, rattles, and Indian dances in churches. Twiss is also open to the idea of the Indigenous use of Incense and prayer as describe in Revelations 8.
97% of covenants made between the US goverment and the First Nations people were broken. The Christian religion is one of covenants: Adam, Moses, Abraham, the Israelites, God, Jesus, Disciples. How can the Indigenous Christian reconcile this?
Twiss thought Dances With Wolves did wonders for perceptions of First Nations people.
First Nations people were some of the first to hide slaves as they came North. But Indigenous people are saddened when they were never included in Civil Rights issues.
4 stars. Unique read. Twiss will be missed.
Living in a State that is 1/3rd Native American I learned a lot from Twiss:
Twiss prefers the name First Nations or Indigenous people. He believes this better captures their essence as sovereign, independent, self-determinging as opposed to the name Native Americans (this still defines them based on a Europeon Culture).
Twiss is an outspoken evangelical Christian and it saddens him that 3.5 million Native Americans (our neighbors)are overlooked when it comes to missions. We send groups to Africa, China, India..but what about our neighbors here in America.
Twiss does not want sympathy for the "poor Indian on the reservation." When he spoke at the conference Twiss said, "we don't need out churches and community centers painted again." Twiss wants to see an evangelicalism that is not top down but reciprocal between white and First Nation churches.
Twiss strongly oppposes Syncretism (the belief or practice that says Christ's work is not enough). Sadly, the Christian church of course thought that evangelism to First Nations cultures meant "civilizing the heathen" and stripping the Indigenous person of all that made them what they were and creating Indigeneous churches that in worship and culture looked exactly like a white church. Twiss wants reconcilliation of Indigenous culture..He wants to reclaim the use of drums, gourds, rattles, and Indian dances in churches. Twiss is also open to the idea of the Indigenous use of Incense and prayer as describe in Revelations 8.
97% of covenants made between the US goverment and the First Nations people were broken. The Christian religion is one of covenants: Adam, Moses, Abraham, the Israelites, God, Jesus, Disciples. How can the Indigenous Christian reconcile this?
Twiss thought Dances With Wolves did wonders for perceptions of First Nations people.
First Nations people were some of the first to hide slaves as they came North. But Indigenous people are saddened when they were never included in Civil Rights issues.
4 stars. Unique read. Twiss will be missed.
July 7, 2015
Richard Twiss' book is an excellent discussion of culture, Christianity, missions, worship, and church practice. As a First Nations pastor and teacher his perspective is first hand, practical, thoughtful, and prods what needs to be prodded. Twiss notes how Western Christianity, especially Evangelicalism, has seen Native Americans as a source of missions to, but rarely a community of wisdom and religious energy. Evangelicals have to press into the thought that our cultural values and worldview can be wrong, and First Nations people have something to teach us, and a much needed part of God's kingdom flourishing on earth.
March 9, 2010
Loved it!! Totally new perspective on First People groups and the platform they have. It taught me of God's redemptives powers that go beyond the restrictions of society and traditions. Think outside the box people!
July 14, 2008
I don't agree with everything the author says, but I really loved the new perspective it gave me on Native Americans and the Christian faith.
July 26, 2017
Love profusely pours from these pages. LORD train us to walk in love and compassion, to have courage to celebrate and build up people in the way you have created them.
May 18, 2025
I finally read Twiss's previous, more theoretical book.
Once again, I enthusiastically agree with him that encultuation is important, that previous missionaries have unfairly denigrated American Indian culture, and this has needlessly alienated people from the Church. But here, I find myself enthusiastically agreeing with just about all the book! The red flags of syncretism that flew in his other book don't show up here.
He talks a bit about the danger of syncretism in the abstract, which shows he's aware. What's more, he cites approvingly a story of Christians blessing drums previously used for pagan rituals so that they might now glorify Jesus. So, despite his previous book, he apparently is aware? I might not agree with him on every point, but I'm now willing to charitably presume he has thought through whatever might be behind his other book.
I don't recommend this book unless you're particularly interested in American Indian evangelism, but I suppose I'm glad I read it just to calm my fears from his other book.
Once again, I enthusiastically agree with him that encultuation is important, that previous missionaries have unfairly denigrated American Indian culture, and this has needlessly alienated people from the Church. But here, I find myself enthusiastically agreeing with just about all the book! The red flags of syncretism that flew in his other book don't show up here.
He talks a bit about the danger of syncretism in the abstract, which shows he's aware. What's more, he cites approvingly a story of Christians blessing drums previously used for pagan rituals so that they might now glorify Jesus. So, despite his previous book, he apparently is aware? I might not agree with him on every point, but I'm now willing to charitably presume he has thought through whatever might be behind his other book.
I don't recommend this book unless you're particularly interested in American Indian evangelism, but I suppose I'm glad I read it just to calm my fears from his other book.
Read
March 13, 2025This was really thought provoking and important. My biggest takeaways are from chapter 4 and the portion on Christian Covenants.
Chapter 4 talked about ways First Nation people’s beliefs and culture align with Scripture (more than mainstream Christianity). For example, First Nation folks emphasize the importance of being stewards of the earth and not taking more than necessary. Overconsumption and a lack of environmental awareness is something I’ve noted in myself and my own communities. So it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
I also found the portion on the significance of Covenants in the Christian faith impactful. Especially when presented alongside a long history of lies and deception from ‘Christian’ leaders in the United States history. This book shared that 98% of treaties with Native People groups were never followed up on. As a Nation with a high Christian population, I believe God calls us to do better. And that’s the idea that portion was talking about.
Chapter 4 talked about ways First Nation people’s beliefs and culture align with Scripture (more than mainstream Christianity). For example, First Nation folks emphasize the importance of being stewards of the earth and not taking more than necessary. Overconsumption and a lack of environmental awareness is something I’ve noted in myself and my own communities. So it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
I also found the portion on the significance of Covenants in the Christian faith impactful. Especially when presented alongside a long history of lies and deception from ‘Christian’ leaders in the United States history. This book shared that 98% of treaties with Native People groups were never followed up on. As a Nation with a high Christian population, I believe God calls us to do better. And that’s the idea that portion was talking about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2018
I cannot believe I did not read this book sooner. It should be required reading for every pastor, and certainly for a lot of other people. If you're a non-white Christian struggling with how culture fits into your religious practice, this is an extremely thoughtful and compelling read, and if you're a white Christian (particularly an American one) trying to figure out how not to continue to be an imperialist as you share the Gospel, this is a necessary text. Twiss provides a catalogue of revealing examples alongside historical details that have been ignored in the mainstream Church, and also proposes a powerful roadmap for moving forward both in reconciliation and global evangelism. Finally, this book is an easy and practical read, and therefore there is no need to come to it with much preparation (though we all need more of that for sure).
December 3, 2021
This books opened my eyes in so many ways. I cried several times in grief over the suffering of First Nations people. I would recommend this book for every Christian. The book was written 20 years ago but it really translates well to our current situation of being so fragmented in our faith and very sure that our way is the right way. The idea of corporate sin and generational repentance was my biggest take away. “We must come to understand that human corporateness means that our forefathers’ sins are our sins.” As a white American, corporate thinking is not the default for me. I start with a very individualist view in most things. It’s so helpful to understand that most cultures don’t think this way and it helps me to understand why my repentance now is so important to them.
March 1, 2023
A little dated, as it was published decades ago, but it still gives a lot to think about. He makes an excellent case for how valuable a church body and tradition established by Native cultures is and could be. I think he was trying to accomplish that but also bring attention to it's existence already, so some of his points seemed to contradict earlier points.
Bottom line: Native Christians should not give up their culture, but instead redeem it to worship Jesus. Non-Native Christians should recognize Native Christians as equals in ministry and not just as a population that needs missionaries.
Bottom line: Native Christians should not give up their culture, but instead redeem it to worship Jesus. Non-Native Christians should recognize Native Christians as equals in ministry and not just as a population that needs missionaries.
January 17, 2023
This is a simple, clear call for Indigenous people to discover their own cultural way of following and worshiping Jesus as Creator, Saviour and Lord. Of course that's my way of summarizing what stuck out to me - there's lots more here. Twiss shares a beautiful vision that reminds me of people from all nations and people and languages gathered around the Throne and worshiping the Lamb, each in their own distinctive and beautiful way. An important read!
May 22, 2023
Amazing book
This is a must read for Christian Americans! Richard Twiss was a pastor and activist for First Nation people. His unique perspectives are thought provoking and challenging. In today's climate of denying historical truths that are shameful, Pastor Twiss promotes repentance and forgiveness and leaves the reader feeling uplifted that change is possible for Native Americans and their status in this society.
This is a must read for Christian Americans! Richard Twiss was a pastor and activist for First Nation people. His unique perspectives are thought provoking and challenging. In today's climate of denying historical truths that are shameful, Pastor Twiss promotes repentance and forgiveness and leaves the reader feeling uplifted that change is possible for Native Americans and their status in this society.
November 18, 2023
A good intro point for the white evangelical church if you’ve never considered or cared about the harm the church has done to native communities, but too gentle/kind to the western tradition.
Definitely dated, but somewhat relevant. I have a lot of misgivings about recommending this book, however. His eschatology and use of First People’s to further the white gospel and mission has a lot of troubling points.
Definitely dated, but somewhat relevant. I have a lot of misgivings about recommending this book, however. His eschatology and use of First People’s to further the white gospel and mission has a lot of troubling points.
April 22, 2024
I was amazed by the depth of Pastor Richard Twiss’ understanding of non-indigenous peoples’ (like myself) need to repent, confess, ask for forgiveness to be restored to benefit my spiritual life for the sins of my ancestors as well as my own sins to Indigenous persons. He confirms my belief in Jesus, The Waymaker. All non- indigenous persons must read this book to help learn how to make our world a better place to live in harmony with one another.
October 27, 2024
I really appreciated learning from the perspective of a Native American Christian, that Native identity and Christianity do not need to be in opposition to each other and in fact, what the American church may be missing is learning from Native perspectives. The writing style was a bit disjointed for me, with seemingly frequent subject changes within chapters, but I'm aware that may be my own cultural lens in reading.
December 27, 2018
Eye opener
Wonderful read and a great eye opener to what the Native Americans has experienced and is experiencing today. I’m humbled by the stories shared. I hope more Christians would pick this book up to read and then make changes to how we live out our faith. I’m a firm believer that we need to incorporate our culture and heritage into our faith.
Wonderful read and a great eye opener to what the Native Americans has experienced and is experiencing today. I’m humbled by the stories shared. I hope more Christians would pick this book up to read and then make changes to how we live out our faith. I’m a firm believer that we need to incorporate our culture and heritage into our faith.
March 23, 2021
Richard Twiss does a beautiful job of helping us understand First Nations culture. This book was very eye opening and I’m surprised to discover how little Canadian know about the people they have lived so close to. We know more about people groups in countries half way around the world than we know of our neighbours. Love to hear how the gospel is being spread.
September 23, 2022
Pretty interesting book. As someone who is not involved in ministry it didn’t always feel applicable, but it offered some interesting thoughts. I enjoyed reading about the potential for Native Americans to serve in global missions because they offer a unique cultural and faith perspective.
February 6, 2024
I'm in the middle because the topic needs more sunlight and aired out to the world. The First Americans are rarely spoken of when oppressed groups are discussed. The book was hard to read for me. I labored through it. More stories would be helpful.
November 9, 2017
I picked this book up while trekking in South Dakota. It is an easy read that seeks to unify a seemingly endless variety of Native and non-native spiritual beliefs.
April 8, 2018
One of the most convicting books I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews