Remind them to dream

Parents are extremely instrumental in the formation of children in a variety of ways. Even at a very young age, ruling elder Madison McKinney recognized how her parents had become role models by their active involvement in the life of the church, both local church and mid councils, and in their community.
Madison, an enrolled member of the Sissitunwan Wahpeton Dakota Oyate, grew up in the Wakpa Ipakṡaƞ oyáte community, which is in Flandreau, South Dakota, and moved to Lawrence, Kansas as a pre-teen. There Madison began to engage the church beyond the walls of the congregation by attending Presbyterian Women’s gatherings, tagging along to session meetings, presbytery meetings, and synod assemblies with her parents.

As a sophomore in high school she met Rev. Buddy Monahan, a youth advisor to the American Indian Youth Council (AIYC), whose commitment to leadership development with indigenous youth and young adults was an essential part of Madison’s formation not only as a leader but in her career in education as well. With AIYC and Buddy’s mentorship, Madison’s perspective on the church’s landscape and possibilities for leadership expanded.

The July 2015 PC(USA) Big Tent Conference, held in Knoxville, Tennessee and attended by over 700 Presbyterians, was Madison’s first experience with a large national church gathering. Not only did she attend in her role as one of the co-moderators of the American Indian Youth Council she was also a representative from the Native American Consulting Committee (NACC).

Her service as co-moderator of AIYC, on the NACC, and her service on session as a ruling elder at First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, Kansas, not only demonstrated her commitment to her faith and community but helped her gained a deeper understanding of, and opportunity to, serve the larger church. In the summer of 2015, Madison served as a liturgist at the Big Tent; the first time she participated in worship on such a large scale. She was excited for the opportunity to lead in the service and realized the huge impact for those present to witness a Native American young adult woman in leadership.

Since that time, Madison has served as a member and co-moderator of the Advocacy Committee for Women and Gender Justice and as a dual member of the Advocacy Committee and the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board. She is a recognized leader in the national church and brings a unique perspective and wisdom to her service.

In the midst of all of this Madison has been a college student, coached basketball, and worked in early childhood education. She currently serves as an Indigenous Cultural Liaison in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District working with Indigenous students at four public secondary schools in Burnsville, Minnesota. In this role Madison works specifically with Indigenous students in student and family engagement, holding group advisory meetings, hosting cultural events, student activities and trips. She has been educating other educators about indigenous history, how to engage with Indigenous students, and using cultural practices to cope with modern-day issues.  This important work underscores that Indigenous students need access to their language, culture, and communities to reach their full potential.

Madison shared, “Our people are everywhere. My community isn’t limited to one state or to one place. For me, this ministry is bringing these diverse voices together and maintaining the connections between the church and the various communities we serve.”

For Reflection

• Madison’s parents began modeling what it means to serve by taking their children with them to session, presbytery, synod, and other gatherings. What are some other ways of demonstrating and sharing what leadership looks like in action with the children and youth in your congregation?
• Madison’s advice to young adult ruling elders is to explore ministry to its full capacity. If something doesn’t feel right, find something that does. “There is definitely a spot for your unique gifts and skills!” What comes to mind as you consider what it means in your life to explore ministry to its full capacity?
• Madison’s encouragement for people working with young adult ruling elders is, “Remind them to dream!” How does your congregation encourage children, youth, and young adults within your congregation to explore God’s call and to dream?  How might you give additional encouragement to other ruling elders to dream particularly beyond their service on the session?
   

valerie izumi is a ruling elder serving the Office of the General Assembly as an assistant stated clerk, coordinating the General Assembly nominations process.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, monthly Regarding Ruling Elders articles alternate between a deep dive into the ways ruling elders discern and measure the life of a congregation through the ministry of members AND stories about how ruling elders are using their call and gifts as they move within and beyond the walls of the congregation.

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