Cheverly
United Methodist
Church

OUR PASTOR 

Rev. Dr. Lillian C. Smith

 

Pastor Lillian has served as our pastor since, since July 1, 2016. Prior to that she served as the pastor at St. Matthew’s UMC of Valley Forge, PA, where she was the first African-American pastor. She implemented conversations about race and ministry to neighbors of color. She also promoted the idea of enhancing the welcoming nature of the church by cultivating a culture of invitation. Her ministry included Christian Education courses and alternative worship encounters for college students.

 

From 2011 to 2014, Pastor Lillian was the lead pastor at Tindley Temple UMC in Philadelphia, where she increased church visibility within community schools, community associations, the neighborhood, and among local developers. She also strengthened the church’s reach among young adults and developed a young adult Sunday school class and worship experience.

 

Pastor Lillian’s professional experience includes five years as Director, Connectional Ministries and Executive Director, Congregational Transformation with the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the UMC, where she provided training on “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World,“ “High Potential Churches,” “Large Church Initiative” and “Next Level Ministries.”

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She has also served as Associate General Secretary, Division on Ministries with Young People with the General Board of Discipleship of the UMC; and as Director, Ministries with Women and Persons of Color with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, TN.

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Pastor Lillian received her Master in Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. and her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. She is the author of Words to Live By: Wisdom Keys that Can Change Your Life. She recently contributed a chapter to the book, I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist. No stranger to Prince George’s County, she grew up in New Carrollton, College Park, and Glenn Dale. We are enjoying our productive years of ministry together.