Michael D Johnson

What’s so hard about being a pastor?

“What’s so hard about being a pastor?” That is a loaded question for sure! There have perhaps been times you have been insulted by someone with this question. I also believe there have probably been times when you have leveled this question against yourself in condemnation. And then again perhaps it is simply an honestContinue reading “What’s so hard about being a pastor?”

Here is the truth

Here is the truth… The truth is a beautiful thing. It is also really hard. I don’t mind the truth when it confirms that I have been correct in my thinking or approved in my behavior. But the truth hurts when it confronts an error in my thinking, speaking or behaving. The truth hurts whenContinue reading “Here is the truth”

There is enough

Dear pastor, I want to remind you that in Christ there is enough. An oft-repeated mantra of defeat in our lives is “there’s not enough…” We may finish this statement declaring that there isn’t enough time or that we don’t have enough energy or that we just don’t have enough help. And we may beContinue reading “There is enough”

God is pleased

Dear Pastor, I want you to know that God takes pleasure in your company. He rejoices over you with singing. God calls you the apple of His eye. God is pleased as you sacrifice for His glory. God is pleased as you cheerfully serve His people. God is pleased as you unashamedly declare His gospel.Continue reading “God is pleased”

Ministry is an ultramarathon

Dear Pastor, You and I are running a marathon (26.2 miles at once, are we crazy!). We might even say we are running an ultramarathon (anything over 26.2 miles). As ministers, we are not sprinting nor running a 5k (3.1 miles). This means that it takes time and furthermore, it takes a lot of energyContinue reading “Ministry is an ultramarathon”

Every church has it

Every church has it: Drama. No matter how wonderful a church is, it still has drama. We all have difficulties, frustrations and “those people” in our churches. The reminder today is that every church and ministry has drama because they consist of fallen and imperfect people. Even if every single person in your church wasContinue reading “Every church has it”

Making progress

Dear Pastor, Here is the thing about ministry: it’s never done. When we leave the office at night or get a phone call in the middle of the night, or head out on vacation, the work is never done. We may check a few things off our list, but many of the things we checkContinue reading “Making progress”

Everyday Christianity

So here’s the thing about being a Christian in everyday life: if we are really born-again and saved by the blood of Jesus, we are different the rest of the world and we need to live different from the rest of the world. To be a Christian in everyday life doesn’t mean just going toContinue reading “Everyday Christianity”

Safe in my Father’s arms

There is a song by Christian singing group “Sanctus Real” that is entitled “Safe in my Father’s Arms”. It contains a great message about knowing we are loved by the King, that we are offered hope in God and that we are invited to become God’s children. It is a great song that reminds usContinue reading “Safe in my Father’s arms”

The measure of preaching

Dear pastor, Preaching is a beautiful thing. It is also difficult. The apostle Paul called it foolishness. Some in your congregation and mine might call it boring. You and I have both heard people say that certain preaching “just isn’t feeding them”. So how indeed are we to measure our preaching? Should such a thingContinue reading “The measure of preaching”