By: Rev. Doug Conley
 I can still remember the deaconess report. It reported the number of meals provided to people who were ill and then number of birthday cards sent. At that point I was numb, so I don't recall the rest of the narrative report. Is that what ministry is about?
Meals provided and birthday cards sent?
As you are well aware, it is time to report the statistics from last year to the national office. I share your pain. As of this year, district offices are now required to send an annual report as well. In thinking through all the reporting being done for 2018, I have had to wonder: Are we reporting activity or effectiveness? Do the numbers we report measure more than nickels and noses (as important a barometer as those might be) or do they measure real, lasting impact?
My son works with an NGO whose mission (among other things) is to rescue children from slavery and other forms of human trafficking. His organization was given a grant by a foundation to test their effectiveness. An area was chosen, and an independent group measured the number of people in that region held in slavery. The NGO set up an office and went to work. In three years, the group that did the original survey was asked to return. This time they discovered that slavery was virtually wiped out in the region. The NGO was effective in achieving its mission.
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Gracias, Merci, Xiè Xie,Thank You!
From Rev. Doug & Julie Conley
Once again Julie and I were overwhelmed by your very generous Christmas gift. Thank you for your thoughtfulness this Christmas season. We are honored to serve with you. Your kindness and support add to the joy we experience in serving the Mid-Atlantic District. May the truth of Emmanuel, God with us, remain powerfully with us all in this new year.
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Prayer for Washington DC
When: January 11, 2019
Time: 10am-2pm
Where:
Washington International Church (4420 River
Rd NW, Washington, DC 20016)
Cost: FREE
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The Gathering 
The Gathering is this
Friday, January 11 at 7pm. The live site is
Derwood Alliance Church in Rockville, MD.
Area churches are encouraged to join us in Rockville while the rest of the district family is invited to participate at satellite sites. Check out our
website for a list of satellite sites.
Bring your kids to the live site!
If you will be going to the live site this Friday, bring your kids with you!
RSVP by January 9th to
kmlinarcik@1stalliancechurch.com or
540-664-2909.
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After much prayer and discussion, DEXCOM and Rev. Conley decided to release Rev. Tom Brunner from his role as the Church Planting Director. Tom is a fine man and there are no issues of morality involved in this decision. Please pray for Tom and Luann as they seek a new ministry.
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Launch One Day Location Change
 IMPORTANT:
If you registered for the Launch One Day event on January 24, please note that the location has changed!
It will no longer be at the District Office. See new location below.
Date: January 24, 2019 (
FREE/Must Sign Up)
NEW Location: NEW DESIGN CHURCH
7102 LADD LANE
FREDERICK, MD 21703
Time: 8:30am-3:00pm
Lunch: Provided Free of Charge
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All In Registration is Live!
Who's Invited: Anyone interested in pursuing God's call on their life or leaders interested in understanding the process of pursuing full-time ministry with the Alliance. This is a great event for working adults, students, local leaders, and pastors.
When: February 16th, 2019
Time: 9:00am- 4:30pm
Where: First Alliance Silver Spring (14500 New Hampshire Ave Silver Spring, MD 20904)
Cost: $50 per person (this includes lunch and snacks throughout the day).
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Date: April 2-3, 2019
Location: First Alliance Church (Baltimore, MD area) 14500 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20904
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By: Thom S. Rainer
We kick off 2019 with 10 reasons we are optimistic about churches. From an openness to consulting to church revitalization, we are seeing God move in churches in fresh ways.
The 10 reasons for optimism that we discuss are:
- More church leaders are admitting their churches are struggling.
- Churches are increasingly connecting with their communities.
- There is significant evidence of greater Great Commission obedience.
- Toxic church behavior is less tolerated.
- Church revitalization has become a major movement.
- More young pastors feel called to lead a church revitalization.
- More church leaders are seeking coaching and consultations.
- Churches are working together toward fulfilling the Great Commission.
- Church planting and church revitalization are not perceived to be either/or.
- The multi-site and multi-venue movement is entering an era of growth and maturity.
This article was originally published at ThomRainer.com on January 1, 2019. Thom S. Rainer serves as president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and ten grandchildren. Dr. Rainer can be found on Twitter @ThomRainer and at facebook.com/Thom.S.Rainer.
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January 10
Missions Mobilization Team
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January 11
Prayer for Washington DC |
January 11
The Gathering |
January 22
Budget & Finance |
January 24
Launch One Day |
January 31
Church Health Team |
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2018 Local Alliance Church Annual Report
On
January 8, 2019, the 2018 Local Alliance Church Annual Report will be available for churches to begin completing. Lead pastors and editors will receive an instructional e-mail on that date from Terry Smith, vice president for Church Ministries. The deadline to finish the Annual Report is
February 22, 2019.
If you do not receive the e-mail, please contact Yenory Orozco at
yorozco@cmamad.org as soon as possible.
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Alliance Church-Planting Sunday
On
February 24, 2019, the Alliance family will again celebrate our shared passion for church planting during Church-Planting Sunday. We are inviting congregations to join in this special day by corporately praying for and supporting a church plant in your district during part of your worship service.
Materials will be available in soon.
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Our District is privileged to be
SENDING at least 3 family units overseas for ministry in 2019. We have a limited time to connect with these families before they leave us. If your church would like to connect with one of these new IWs, please contact Ira and he will help you get connected. Remember these men and women are still working in their current ministries so connection might have to take place on something other than a Sunday morning. Contact Ira for more information!
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Our annual District Youth Retreat is right around the corner.
Dates:
April 26- 28, 2019
Location: Rockbridge Alum Springs Camp
More information to come!
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Dell Member Purchase Program
For those considering a computer purchase for the holidays, Dell offers a special Employee Purchasing Program available to the Alliance family. This includes National Office, district, Alliance church staff and church members.
Employee Member Benefits:
- Best Price Guarantee on Dell consumer PCs
- Up to 30% off desktops and laptops
- Discounts on thousands of electronics and accessories
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Have you been yearning for a family oriented Mission opportunity where you can serve and grow in God's
will as a family?
Summit Grove is planning an event that focuses on giving you
quality family time while serving. T
his Mission opportunity is for you!
Date: April 12-13, 2019
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Pastor Preview at Summit Grove 2019
Summit Grove is partnering with Rev. John Fretz and Walk Thru The Bible for a Pastor Preview being held
May 9, 2019.
Pastors can sign up by selecting "register now" beside Summit Grove Camp with the link below!
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Personnel and Church Updates
Personnel Updates:
- Rev. Tom Brunner - Unassigned
- Rev. Peter Dunker - No Credentials
- Salvador Handal - Changed from Provisional to Lay Ministry Worker.
- Rev. Steven Hughes - No Credentials
- Caleb Jordan - Moved to other district.
- Rev. Junichi Saigo - Special Assignment
- Rev. Ron Schafer - No Credentials
- Mrs. Amy Simpson - No Credentials
- Rev. Floyd Wheeler - No Credentials
- Mrs. Nancy Wheeler - No Credentials
Church Closures or Status Change:
Church Location Changes:
New Church Plants:
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Fair Share & Church Planting Update
November 2018
Fair Share (YTD):
Budget: $156,547.04
Received: $149,230.35
Deficit: $7,316.69
Church Planting (YTD):
Budget: $72,916.67
Received: $93,243.79
Surplus: $20,327.12
See note below.
"The amount received year-to-date for Church Planting is showing up as a surplus because of the one-time gifts we received from several churches earlier this year.
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Share Your Stories!
Mid-Atlantic District Churches! We would love to share what God is doing in our churches to encourage and inspire other workers and churches in the district.
Send your church's social media account information and newsletter signup links to Yenory Orozco at
yorozco@cmamad.org. Or, if you have a specific story you would like to share, please send it to us!
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