Ralph B. Watkins stood looking out at 175 worshippers a few weeks ago. It was his first Sunday as new pastor to a congregation. Almost immediately, the associate professor of evangelism and church growth at Columbia Theological Seminary recognized something. The congregation, whose average age was in its 60’s, already knew him.

For most of its nearly 46 years of ministry, the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) has had one familiar face on the front lines of its work, Cynthia White. The SDOP coordinator is stepping down this month after 37 years of work with the program, having joined the staff while its offices were in New York.