WHO AM I?

A Leader...

RELATIONAL

I have had multiple bosses tell me that I am one of, if not the most comfortable people person they have ever been around. Often asking me to attend yard sales and other church social events, just to bridge the gap with visitors and new comers.
Many people have visted and joined our church that I have met : As a professor, at soccer games, and the gym.

COUNSELOR

Earning a Master's degree in Counseling/Psychology, and born with a heart for helping people, I believe God has called and gifted me to help those who are hurting.
One of the keys for me, was when I learned that trust is not built quickly. My wife has often joked about the "Lunch and Coffee Ministry" that I answered the call to. It is through many hours of getting to know people that I have been able to build solid trusting relationships so that when they need an: ear, friend, or wise advisor, they feel comfortable calling me.
I routinely receive calls and texts from: Students, Former/Current Soccer Players, Unsaved Friends, Extended family members to help them process life's ups and downs.

COMFORTABLE IN CONFLICT

I have learned that leadership brings conflict and a good leader neither induces nor runs from it. I have strived over the past 25 years to learn the skills and aquire the tools to know how to bring about "Win-Win Situations" in the midst of tense times.
In one particular encounter between two prominent church families, the husband from one side and wife from the other commented on how pleased they were with how I was able to lead this possible explosion to a rewarding and peaceful outcome.

Matt Geier

10374 Chamberlin Ct. W.

Waldorf, MD 20601

Godfamilysoccer@verizon.net

301-651-5433- Cell

A Preacher-Teacher...

COLLEGE PROFESSOR

God has truly blessed me with the opportunity of teaching over 20 different college courses since 2000. The majority have been in Psychology, Sociology, Youth Ministry, and Sports Ministry. This training has certainly raised the quality of preaching and teaching in church settings.
I have received a rating of "Excellent" on every one of the 60 classes I have taught with several rare perfect scores. A small sampling can be found on: Ratemyprofessor.com
The best compliments that I have ever received have come from students who confessed that they were not looking forward to the class, especially with it being 2-3 hours and it ended up being one of their all time favorite courses. "I love coming to this class".

PULPIT PREACHER

With the great responsibility of having preached all over the country and the world, I have taken my craft very seriously, continuing to read various books and tons of articles and listening to conferences on how to improve.
I value the input from Pastors and speakers whom I respect, learning from them all the time, and am truly humbled as they have commented on how I have a very easy to listen and relate to style and how they are impressed that I continually improve.
I understand the value of both expository and relevant topical preaching and am comfortable with both.
What I have most learned over 25 years of preaching, is the value of not being afraid to offend with the truth while leading with Love and Grace. It's a very difficult blend that all great preachers have fought to find in their speaking.

BIBLE TEACHER

With a truly relational/discussion oriented style, I love to dig into God's word with a group of believers, young and old.
The best teachers that I have sat under, understand the balance between laying out the cultural context of each lesson, without getting bogged down in it. I strive to do just that.
Even as a Senior Pastor I desire to continue to speak with children and teens.
I developed an illustrated story approach for teaching The Word to children while relating to teens through humor and today's culture. It helps having two teens at home to run all of my jokes and stories through.

MY PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY

Live, Love, Lead, and Equip (Sorry ran out of L's). I have found that it is far easier to lead someone who I truly know, love and who feels empowered by me. One of the best piece of parenting advice I have ever received was that it take quantity to get quality. In the same way that your child will not open up to you about their biggest struggles if you are simply passing by, neither will a church member.

LIVE- I believe that, as mentioned, my strongest quality as a Pastor is my love for people and the God given ability I am so thankful for, to be able to build incredibly deep relationships often with people who have self-confessed 'trust issues'. This comes from living with, eating with, and having coffee with, and texting with them on a daily basis. Attending events with them which then leads to sharing life's greatest moments and hardest times. In a previous church, I received several of the greatest compliments I have ever gotten, Several people said to me: "I am here because you have taken a true interest in me and my family and not only have we connected with a pastor for the first time ever, but we truly know you care". The first time was awesome, by the third I was almost in tears. God is good!

LOVE- Some people are easier to love than others. I have had some great leadership role models in my life, opening my eyes up to why people act the way that they do, for me making it easier to love them once I understand some of their pain. People come to a church for many reasons and leave for many more, but I have found very rarely does anyone leave a church when the beleive that the Pastor genuinely loves them.

LEAD- Leadership is an absolute passion of mine. I truly struggle when a leader does not lead. What I love about leadership is not only the creative approaches, but the variety of skills needed. I desire to be a great leader and to me this means that I must cast a vision, care about the people, understand and forgive mistakes by those on my staff, know when I must say no and take a loving-hard stance, teach the people what I believe God wants them to know and trust God to lead me when I need to make 'in-stream' changes. Leadership is always exciting and never easy, but one of the most rewarding adventures I have ever been on.

EQUIP/EMPOWER- I once was offered the same Youth Pastorate position three times over a 3 year span. The simple reason why I did not except was a pastor friend of mine, warned me that my future potential boss was an incredible micro-manager who along with his wife practically ran every facet of the chruch. Since then I even seen first hand, how much better a church runs when people are not only given opportunities to use their gifts but are given the authority needed to lead their department. Great responsibility without great authority leads to great frustration and often great bitterness. In my most recent position I served under the greatest leader of my career, one of his best qualities was his desire to hire the best money could by and get out of their way enough to let them use their superior skills and gifts. An equipped church is a productive and competent church.

If you are still reading at this point, then I would like to sincerely ask you for an opportunity to speak with you in person. My passion for ministry has not waned at all over 23 years in fact it has blossomed and is stronger than ever. I truly beleive there is a church that will greatly benefit from everything God has taught me and I cannot wait to get started.

2010 - present