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From Presbyterians Today magazine | November 2007
U.S. Census figures show that more Native Americans now live in cities and urban areas than on reservations and in rural areas. That's why Presbyterians are joining together to develop new ministries that meet the needs of this growing population.
In partnership with the Native American Consulting Committee, we are making urban ministry with Native Americans a high priority by supporting leadership training, Bible study and other projects such as the "spiritual community" that's being built in Albuquerque, N.M. at La Mesa Presbyterian Church.
Synods and Presbyteries in mission • Santa Fe Presbytery
Building a spiritual community for Native Americans in Albuquerque
By Kristin Searfoss
Building a spiritual community with urban Native American people is the goal of a project undertaken by Santa Fe Presbytery in partnership with La Mesa Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, N.M.
The project officially began last November, when Judy Wellington, whose tribal heritage is Pima and Dakota, was installed as associate pastor of La Mesa Presbyterian Church.
There are about 25,000 Native American people from more than 150 tribes in greater Albuquerque. Previous mission endeavors among Native peoples have not always been successful, Wellington says.
“The Indian community has seen Christian leaders come and go. Some Christian communities have lasted and others have not ... The historic missionary approach to Native peoples taught them that Indian cultures were in opposition to Christian faith. Today that teaching is still promoted some.” Wellington’s approach is to create “a Christian ministry that respects the value of Native wisdom and teachings among the tribes.”
Already, a spiritual community is being formed, built around “a quarterly community-wide gathering that is mostly for fellowship and mutual support,” Wellington says. A Bible study last summer allowed individuals from tribal backgrounds to bring their own observations to the discussion. “Several people have said they didn’t expect to be able to participate like this in a Bible study in a way that touches their experiences, makes sense and lets them know there are others with the same kinds of questions they have.”
Ministering in places "where Jesus would be": Judy Wellington, left, with Martha Sadongei, pastor of a Native American congregation in Phoenix, who preached at Wellington's installation service. Photo courtesy of La Mesa Presbyterian Church. Wellington spends a lot of time meeting Native Americans at events and places where they gather. “It’s important that I’m out in community whenever possible, because I believe that’s where Jesus would be. My presence … means that I am interested and willing to be with my own people.”
She is learning about the realities of urban life. “Native people in the urban setting continue to face the challenge of retaining their clan, tribe and extended family connections while living in a highly individualistic society.”
The project is having an unexpected effect, Wellington says. “While the goal of this new effort is not to increase the membership of La Mesa, we are finding that Native Americans are more curious and willing to ‘check out’ the service because there is a Native associate pastor.”
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