Spring and Summer 2026 Classes
2026 brings three opportunities for Native American Course of Study Classes. The Spring Session will be online only, with one online class offered. Summer Session will also be online only with two additional classes offered. Fall Session will be an in-person gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. Several classes are available. Some will be in hybrid format (local and zoom), and some in-person only. You can see more details about the Fall Session here.
NACOS Spring Session - Online Attendance
Bible 1: Introduction
Instructor:
Pastor G. Richard Bell, retired
Summary
This course introduces Biblical interpretation. Attention is given to the inspiration, formation, and function of the canon and to the development of a methodology of interpretation consistent with the nature of scripture. The importance of the Bible as a witness to the life and faith of ancient Israel and earliest Christianity will be emphasized.
Course Objectives:
Articulate the place of scripture in the life of the congregation and the role of the pastor in interpretation.
Understand the inspiration and formation of the canon and its authority within the community of faith.
Understand and apply historical, literary, and theological approaches to various types of literature in scripture using Genesis, Hosea and Amos, Mark, and Philippians.
Develop a method of exegesis consistent with the nature and authority of the Bible.Professor:
Required Texts:
Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth (4th Edition), Zondervan Academic, 4th edition, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-0310517825, ISBN-10: 0310517826. Also available in Kindle.
John Hayes & Carl Holladay, Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook, Westminster John Knox Press, 3rd edition, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0664227753, ISBN-10: 0664227759. Also available in Kindle.
Bernhard Anderson, The Unfolding Drama of the Bible, (4th edition), Fortress Press, 4th edition, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0800635602, ISBN-10: 0800635604. Also available in Kindle.
Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation by T. Christopher Hoklotubbe (Director of NAIITS) and H. Daniel Zacharias
Required References:
The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary, Abingdon Press, 2010. ISBN-13:978-0687334117, ISBN-10: 068733411X. Also available in Kindle.
Harper Collins Bible Dictionary, Harper One, 3rd revised, updated edition, 2011. ISBN-13:978-0061469060, ISBN-10: 0061469068. Also available in Kindle.
New Interpreter’s Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha, Abingdon Press, Revised edition, 2003. ISBN-13: 978-0687278329, ISBN-10: 0687278325.
NACOS Summer Session - Online Attendance
Theological Heritage 1: Introduction
Class Zoom Dates:
The dates and times will be arranged as everyone registered agrees on a meeting time. Initial dates will include five weekly meetings in between March and May, with no class meeting during Holy Week in 3 hour blocks between Noon (Alaska) and 5pm, which is 4pm and 9pm Eastern Standard Time.
Instructor:
Rev. Murray Crookes
Email: munrahcito@gmail.com
Cell phone: 907-738-8697
Course Description:
This course introduces the student to theological reflection in the Wesleyan tradition. Basic terms, tasks, and methods of Christian theology will be introduced. Representative classical themes will be defined and illustrated in dialogue with varied Indigenous perspectives. The course provides a foundation for further historical and theological study.
Course Objectives:
Students will:
Articulate their understanding of faith, sin, salvation, grace, and the place of doctrine in the life of the Church.
Understand and use classical theological terms and themes.
Critically consider the sources of theological reflection, including scripture, tradition, experience and reason.
Reflect theologically as a resource for pastoral ministry.
Explore theological concepts of Creation, Atonement, and Stewardship in dialogue with Indigenous and personal understandings.
Instructor:
Michelle Oberwise Lacock
Email: mlacock54@gmail.com
Cell phone: (630) 336-2317
Course Description and Objectives:
COS 424 ETHICS introduces the biblical and theological bases for Christian behavior, emphasizing the pastoral skills needed for moral leadership in the congregation and community.
Students will be able to:
Articulate a biblical and theological basis for ethical thinking and moral behavior and distinguish major approaches to ethical reasoning.
Comprehend the relationship between their personal stories, pastoral vocation, local contexts, and responsibility as moral leaders.
Develop a Christian framework for moral reason and action and apply it to the use of power and the setting of boundaries in ministry.
Demonstrate familiarity with and make use of the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church as a resource for ethical reflection and action.
We will examine Native American ethical stance/beliefs, with a particular emphasis on ecological ethics.
Ethical way of life in light of Wesley’s three simple rules.
Text Book List:
A Primer in Christian Ethics: Christ and the Struggle to Live Well. Luke Bretherton 2023 Cambridge United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Gonna Trouble the Water: Ecojustice, Water and Environmental Racism by Miguel A De La Torre 2021, Pilgrim Press.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz 1997 Amber-Allen Publishing.
Three Simple Rules Rueben Job 2007 Abingdon Press.
Chapters from these books will be provided:
Chapter 2 from Coming Full Circle Steven Charleston and Elaine Robinson
A Liberative Approach Miguel A De La Torre, Fortress Press 2013 (one chapters)
Professional Sexual Ethics by Pat Jung and Darryl Stephens (One chapter)
Chaplains as Partners in Medical Decision-Making: case studies in Healthcare chaplaincy by Jeanne Wirpsa and Karen Pugliese (one chapter)
Living with Grief series: Ethics: A Case Study Approach by Hospice Foundation of America (one chapter)
Supplemental Books
Professional Sexual Ethics: A Holistic Ministry Approach by Patricia Beattie Jung and Darryl W. Stephens
The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living by Joseph Marshall III
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition 2nd Updated ed. Edition by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Laura Roppe
Reference Books:
2020/24 The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church
2024 The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist: Social Principles
First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs: An Indigenous Bible Translation 2025
First Nations version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament 2021
Please fill out the form above if you plan to pay by check, or if NACOS is billing your District Conference.