Beginning the Revitalization Journey: Mount Vernon SDA Church
By Pastor Don Bryan
Revitalization of any kind (personal or corporate) must begin at the source (leadership). It is that way in the business world or in a personal reboot (physically, mentally, socially or spiritually). One needs to assess the situation, own the outcome and then make a plan for change.
Peter mentions this principle in the context of judgment as found in 1 Peter 4:17—
For time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and it begins with us first
As a leader of his people, Daniel understood this principle and took responsibility for the sins of his people in his prayer recorded in Daniel, chapter 9. See verses 3 and 4:
Then I sent my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, With fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession…
This principle is extremely important and vital to the journey of revitalization.
Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church is beginning this journey. In partnership with the Washington Conference leadership and coaching provided by our Conference Evangelism coordinator, Tyler Long, Mount Vernon SDA Church will embark on a 12-month process of evaluation, confession, visioning, planning and implementation to a new and revitalized mission/focus in the Mount Vernon area.
God has already been at work as preliminary plans are being made and initial vision casting is being done. My wife Kim and I are meeting with former members and inviting them into the conversation. We are meeting with community and civic leaders to understand and determine how to be a more complete asset in the community. And we are praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church community.