Executive shows how it's done

Stockdale says respect, leadership are keys to immigrant ministry

by Jerry L. Van Marter

SEATTLE— Boyd Stockdale is just about the only Presbyterian in Seattle who is reluctant to talk about his role as a catalyst for the explosive growth of ethnic and new immigrant congregations in Seattle Presbytery.

"Boyd immediately saw the possibilities for a Persian ministry here," says Mansour Khajehpour, lay pastor of the Persian Presbyterian Church of the Good Shepherd. "He got us through Commission Lay Pastor training, so our church could grow and thrive."

Kolinus Buntaran, pastor of the Indonesian congregation at Wedgewood Presbyterian Church, says he came to Seattle from central California about the same time Stockdale arrived from Sacramento. "Working with Boyd, it seemed that God was opening the door for us to be a PC(USA) congregation," he says.

Luz Maria Cabrera of The People's Seminary, which provides theological education and leadership training to Hispanic lay leaders, says Stockdale "has demonstrated to us that the Presbyterians are unique in their openness to Hispanic ministry."

What's his secret?

"Learning through experience — and our many mistakes," Stockdale says with a smile. But it's deeper than that.

Genuine hospitality and a desire to learn are key components.

"Their culture is vital to them and is the only lens through which they can see the future," Stockdale says of immigrant groups. "Hospitality is to learn, respect and value that culture. I have long been convinced that we will know more of God when there are more cultures reflecting together."

Stockdale has identified eight principles of ethnic and new-immigrant ministry. Seattle Presbytery has parlayed them into an unmatched record of church growth among ethnic and new immigrant groups. They are:

1. Receive, support and listen to these new immigrants. Expect to learn more about the faith from them. Don't assume that they'll adapt to our systems quickly.

2. Identify the leadership in the community, respect the leaders and invite them and their community into our community — without imposing our standards or qualifications.

3. Meet the basic needs of the leaders of these communities and help them learn what it means to be Presbyterian.

4. Identify the needs of the community and start immediately to address them.

5. Learn the values of the immigrant culture, memorize some key phrases in that community's language, and find people fluent in that language to work with them.

6. It is all about relationships. Build them carefully and deliberately and never violate their trust.

7. Be excited about the opportunity to welcome these people of God and to enter the adventure of new life, energy and learning. Celebrate the wonderful gifts God showers on us.

8. Learn about these new communities of immigrants from the immigrants themselves, and follow their leadership in connecting to the community.