The Reverend Rodney A. Teal, Esq. proudly serves as the Pastor of the historic Jerusalem Baptist Church of Washington, DC (jbcgdc.org). Prior to assuming pastoral duties at Jerusalem, Rev. Teal served as Executive Assistant to the Senior Minister (Rev. Dr. Leonard N. Smith) at the Mount Zion Baptist Church (Arlington, VA). Rev. Teal was licensed by the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (Alexandria, VA) and ordained by the Israel Baptist Church (Washington, DC). A multi-gifted member of the Body of Christ, Rev. Teal has been intimately involved in ministry for more than 40 years as a church administrator, minister of music, preacher, author and teacher. He is an attorney and has worked as a litigator, clerk of court, and court administrator. In addition, he serves as an adjunct instructor at the Lancaster Bible College (Political Science & Business Law).

Rev. Teal has earned a Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering) from VPI&SU (Virginia Tech), a Master of Business Administration from Radford University, a Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee University, and a Master of Divinity from Howard University.  His passion is preaching – from pulpit, choir stand, or lecture podium – trumpeting the Word of the Lord with power, clarity, and integrity.

Pastor Teal has been privileged to proclaim the Word of God in pulpits in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland and in venues as varied as the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference; the Christian Education Summit of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; the Greater Washington Christian Education Association; the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA); and the City-Wide Revival (Washington, DC). His ground-breaking work on the practical theology of praise and worship is published in Readings in African American Church Music and Worship, Volume 2, ed. James Abbington (GIA Publications 2014).

Rev. Teal currently serves as Treasurer of the Baptist Convention of DC & Vicinity and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Missionary Baptist Ministers’ Conference of DC & Vicinity. He is also a member of the Senior Support Staff of the GMWA, serving as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Board (Bishop Albert L. Jamison, Sr.) with responsibilities ranging from contract negotiation and fiscal planning to music review and management of the Performance Division. In addition, Pastor Teal lends his homiletic, administrative and musical talents to the Kingdom work of many other denominational, religious, and civic organizations.

Pastor Teal is married to The Reverend Monica Adair Teal, M.Div. (also an ordained minister). They are the parents of four wonderful children Elizabeth (a graduate of Old Dominion University), James (a graduate of Florida Memorial University), Ann (a graduate of Hampton University), and Michael (a 12th grader). They are also proud grandparents of "LJ," their son James' son. Pastor Teal and his family reside in Alexandria, Virginia.

Rev. Rodney A. Teal, Esq.

rodneyteal@gmail.com

revrodneyteal.com

571.215.6039

EDUCATION

2006, M.Div., Howard University School of Divinity

1994, J.D., Washington & Lee University School of Law

1991, M.B.A. (Management), Radford University

1987, B.S. (Civil Engineering), Virginia Tech

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

2007, Ordination, Israel Baptist Church

1995, Admittance to the Practice of Law, WV State Bar

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

2018-present, Adjunct Professor: Introduction to American Government (2020), Business Law and History of the U.S. Supreme Court (2018), Lancaster Bible College

2005-2006, Graduate Teaching Assistant: Hebrew & Old Testament Studies, Church History and Theological Research & Writing, Howard University School of Divinity 

1993-1994, Teaching Assistant: Legal Research & Writing, Washington & Lee University School of Law

1992-1993, Adjunct Professor: Principles of Accounting, Southern Seminary & College

1990-1991, Adjunct Professor: Mathematics, New River Community College

1989-1991, Graduate Teaching Assistant: Economics, Radford University

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

2020-present, Treasurer, Baptist Convention of the District of Columbia & Vicinity

2014-2020, Secretary, Baptist Convention of the District of Columbia & Vicinity

2012-present, Pastor, Jerusalem Baptist Church

2012-2019, Treasurer, Missionary Baptist Ministers’ Conference of the District of Columbia & Vicinity

2011-2012, Executive Assistant to the Senior Minister, Mount Zion Baptist Church

2008-2017, Executive Assistant to the Minister of Music, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc.

2007-2011, Assistant to the Pastor & Minister of Music, Israel Baptist Church

2002-present, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Board, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc.

PUBLICATIONS

BOOKS:  Reflections on Praise & Worship from a Biblical Perspective, 1998.

PEER REVIEWED BOOK CHAPTERS: “Reflections on Praise & Worship from a Biblical Perspective: Background, Definitions, Concepts and Constructions” in Readings in African American Church Music and Worship, Volume 2, ed. James Abbington (GIA Publications 2014): 547-559.

REPRESENTATIVE COURSES TAUGHT

Homiletics 

Theological Research & Writing

The Theology of Praise & Worship

Praise & Worship:  Practical Application

Introduction to Micro-Economics 

College Algebra  

Principles of Accounting 

Legal Research & Writing

Introduction to Business Law 

History of the Unites States Supreme Court

Introduction to American Government

REPRESENTATIVE MAJOR PROJECTS

Stage Management/Production Coordinator, Nightly Musical. Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. (Board Meeting and Annual Convention) 2015 to present.

Project Coordinator, Music Review, Selection & Placement. Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. 2015 to present.

Project Coordinator, New Music Seminar. Heritage Music Foundation. Los Angeles, CA. 2005 to present.

REPRESENTATIVE INVITED LECTURES, KEYNOTE ADDRESS & WORKSHOPS

The Ministry of the Deacon: Servant Leadership. Baptist Convention of the District of Columbia & Vicinity. Landover, MD. May 2019.

Forsaken Fountains, Cracked Cisterns & Sacred Solution: a Call to Repentance. Annual Preaching & Lecture Series of the Missionary Baptist Ministers Conference of the District of Columbia & Vicinity. Washington, DC. May 2017.

Transformational Leadership. Baptist Convention of the District of Columbia & Vicinity. Capitol Heights, MD. May 2017 & May 2018.

Homiletics. Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. Washington, DC. November 2016.

Pentecost in Perspective: Reclaiming the Power of Pentecost. Annual Preaching & Lecture Series of the Missionary Baptist Ministers’ Conference of the District of Columbia & Vicinity. Washington, DC. May 2016.

Homiletics. Mt. Bethel Baptist Educational Congress. Washington, DC. March 2015 to 2018, annually.

Praise & Worship: Practical Application. Hampton University Choir Directors’ & Organist Guild Workshop. Hampton, VA. May 2010.

Homiletics. Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. – Academic Division. Detroit, MI. July 2010 to present, annually.

A Biblical Understanding of Forgiveness. Christian Education Summit of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. Washington, DC. January 2010.

SELECTED PUBLISHED MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS (SATB, with piano accompaniment) 

Draw Me Nearer (hymn arrangement), Gospel Music Workshop of America (2019).

Enter His Gates, CBS Television “Instinct” (2018), Hampton University Choir Directors’ & Organist Guild Workshop (2015), Gospel Music Workshop of America (2014).

Holy One, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: An African American Ecumenical Hymnal (GIA Publications) (2017).

Great Is the Lord, Gospel Music Workshop of America (2017).

You Are God, Gospel Music Workshop of America (2016).

Jesus Paid It All (hymn arrangement), Gospel Music Workshop of America (2015).

Thank You for All You Have Done, Gospel Music Workshop of America (2013).

Everything I Need You Are, Hampton University Choir Directors’ & Organist Guild Workshop (2007), Gospel Music Workshop of America (2006). 

Sweet Jesus, Hampton University Choir Directors’ & Organist Guild Workshop (2006), Gospel Music Workshop of America (2005).