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07558 September 6, 2007
Opening doors
Kansas City congregation transformed by Hispanic outreach
by Jerry Van Marter Presbyterian News Service
NASHVILLE - Ten years ago, 118-year-old Grandview Park Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, KS, was all too typical of urban congregations in transitional neighborhoods - an aging, dwindling core of white believers caught in a demographic squeeze that made survival unlikely.
"We were so gripped by fear of our changing neighborhood that our doors were locked - literally - to the community 24/7," the Rev. Rick Behrens told participants in a workshop at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference here Aug. 31-Sept. 3.
Behrens gently persuaded the congregation to begin opening its doors to its new neighbors, primarily through programs for children and youth. Through grants from the Calvin Institute in Michigan and the Congregational Transformation office of the PC(USA), Grandview Park began the process of redefining its vision and mission for ministry.
Grandview's transformation really started to take off when the Rev. Alfonso Tot and his family visited one Sunday a little over four years ago. A Presbyterian pastor from Guatemala, Tot lived nearby and had been searching for a Presbyterian congregation interested in outreach to Hispanic immigrants.
"Grandview Park was a small church but with a very big heart," Tot recalled. "I had previously worked with the Salvation Army and they were polite," he said, "but Grandview Park welcomed us with open arms and hugs."
Tot is now on the staff of Grandview Park, spearheading the outreach effort. "We thought we were hospitable before we opened our doors to the Hispanic community," Behrens said, "but have discovered whole other dimensions to hospitality."
Grandview Park's revitalization is centered around worship, with a Sunday schedule that includes bilingual worship, Bible study and a fellowship meal together each week. The church's program is called "Together in Christ" and it's biblical theme is Jesus' words: "I am the door..."
Between 85 and 90 gather each week, with a lot of turnover. "With the immigration problems we have, we have people coming and going, depending on the circumstances at any given time," Behrens said.
Only two old-timers have left, despite the changes - two languages, much greater lay participation, a much longer service, and much more music made with guitars, drums, flutes rather than an organ. "We know there are different attitudes," said Tot, "but we are one in worship because we all have a spirit of humility."
"Most of the people understand what we're trying to do," added Behrens, "and feel they have been blessed. An inherent piece of diversity is to recognize everybody's gifts and seek to utilize them."
There are still tensions and struggles, Tot acknowledged. "We're struggling for unity, but we believe the love of God overcomes everything."
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