Pastor's Corner

 

State of the Church Address

 

Dear Members and Friends,

 

It has been seven years since my family and I came to join and serve the First Church of Seventh-day Adventist, in Washington, DC. In keeping with the spirit of open communication, let me share with you some of my reflections about the state of our church and ministry as we pilgrimage together in 2008.

 

The hard economic times in America have interrupted the trend of increasing our annual tithe and offerings. We experienced our first tithe loss during my tenure in 2007; whereas we had peaked at $883,000 in 2006. In addition, we gave to our local ministries via our “Super Fund” and “Special Offerings” more than $525,000. To God be the glory for members who have proved that “You can not beat God giving” by at least trying in their systematic and consistent financial faithfulness.

 

The following are some of the highlights that I want to emphasize from 2007 ministry activities. In February 2001, the membership was approximately 1,170. Presently, it stands at over 1,375. Of course, many of these individuals have not been active for some time. However, via our Clerk ministry, a systematic “missing in action” (MIA) campaign has been launched and many members have been located and or officially transferred to other churches. Special recognition goes to our Discipleship Ministry team for its continued efforts with prospective and new members.

If new persons are to feel welcomed and accepted in our fellowship—“The Church where you turn in if you have been turned out,”—we must cultivate and demonstrate the Spirit of hospitality. Foremost in developing this culture is every First Church disciple/member “Be not careful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2). According to Hospitality Ministry leadership, it is their purpose to encourage us to be a caring church family.

 

Another highlight worth mentioning is our collective accomplishment in our Capital, Building and Equipment (CBE) campaign. Phase one (Youth House) and Phase two (Primary House) have been completed and are in regular use. It is our decision to precede through phases three and four by upgrading God’s property. In addition, the Anderson House has been renovated and rented. The cumulative “appraised” value of these three houses is over $1,500,000. “It is God who has given us strength to get wealth” (Deut. 8:18).

 

Since 2001 when I first arrived, our pastorate team has increased numerically with Chaplain Robin Walker, who has made an impressive contribution upon all First Church members and guests, and recently with the additions of our Youth Ministers, Elder Juan Damon and family, and Elder Charles Richards.

 

Sabbath School has grown in attendance and with the leadership of our Youth Ministry; a long-awaited revival of a collegiate class begins this month. The annual picnics have been off the chain. However, this year we will delegate its planning to new coordinators. If you are interested, let me know as soon as possible. In addition, our ushers have been steady and responsive for during every service. Our Music Ministry has reorganized and continues to evolve nicely and collaboratively.

 

I could not close this report without mentioning our Community Services (CS) Ministry’s ever expanding services and volunteers. CS continues its weekly feeding; spearheading the hosting of a Hyperthermia shelter (fourth year); it also continues to provide FEMA and DC Partnership funds for housing and utility assistance to Ward Four residents. I finally, CS continues to respond to emergency requests as they arise.

 

A highlight in 2007 was our Family Retreat sponsored by our Family Life Ministry. Wow! Those who attended had a high-time in God and fellowship. Don’t miss the next one!

 

Last but not least, is our Communication ministry which has taken First Church into the twenty-first century with still expanding skills and services. I encourage you or someone you know to surf our website; especially the guestbook and read the global responses concerning our ministry. The screen and monitors are old news, but continue to help balcony and choir loft individuals see what everyone else is viewing. According to Communication leadership, we will be expanding into TV-type services in 2008.

 

In the words of Robert Frost, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.” The future looms ahead with all of its postmodern dimensionality and diversity, teeming with opportunity, risk and challenges. I exhort you to join me as in following God in this walk of faith, adventure, and achievement. As we travel, new ministry adventures await us and new members will emerge as we boldly go where God leads.

 

Renewal is relational and perpetual. Everything we do must proceed from a consciousness of our connectivity. The English cleric, John Donne said ‘No man or woman is an island unto his or herself. We all are a part of this continent called First Church.’ We can do much more to God’s glory and our edification if we work together by faith and not by ourselves.

 

PEMFY (prayer, education, ministry, fellowship, and youth) are our organizational pillars for congregational renewal. PEMFY is also our praxis for implementing our mission and objectives. These pillars help us fulfill our vision to be FAT—faithful, available, and teachable—for God in the Greater Washington, DC area for delivering God’s message that matters in methods that mean something to men, women, boys and girls. We do not have time to waste straining at gnats, looking for specks in one‘s eye or talking about what we can not do because of bureaucratic red tape. “We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us” (Phil.2: 13). And that means, “By any means necessary” that is ethical and morally uplifting for mankind.

 

My earnest plea to all of you is to forbear and forgive, letting bygones be bygones, and invest in our church to move beyond conflict and confusion so we can “By God, be great in 2008”.

 

Before closing, let us pause in honor and memory of our disciple/members who have died in 2007 and await the first resurrection—“Blessed are they that die in the Lord…” (Rev. 14:13). PAUSE…

In His service,

Pastor Dr. Mark A. McCleary