Michael D Johnson

Marathon Training and Ministry, part 2

So I am really digging this running thing. I have been reading up on what to wear and how to train and what to eat, and it is really fun! (And the physical benefits aren’t bad either). But perhaps even more interesting is what marathon training has to say to us about ministry (and reallyContinue reading “Marathon Training and Ministry, part 2”

Marathon Training and Ministry

I was recently bit by the runner’s bug. And so here I am at 33 years old training for a marathon. I am enjoying the training, the newness and adventure of it all and of course the physical benefits. But one thing I am also learning is how much marathon training has to teach usContinue reading “Marathon Training and Ministry”

What to do with others’ expectations, part 3

Let us examine a little more closely what we should do with other people’s expectations and our judgments of others. I want to in particular examine some of the negative consequences of our judgments on other people. As a pastor I have often been on the receiving end of living in a ‘fishbowl’ where nearlyContinue reading “What to do with others’ expectations, part 3”

What to do with others’ expectations, part 2

So we each think we know what others should do. We are each convinced that if people would listen to us we could straighten people out, iron out the wrinkles in church, government, dining establishments, retail, city services etc. We mostly think our judgments are harmless, but what if they aren’t? What if our “private”Continue reading “What to do with others’ expectations, part 2”

What to do with other people’s expectations

There is not a day that goes by in your life or mine that we don’t encounter a situation where someone expects something of us. Our kids expect us to feed them and love them, our bosses expect us to show up and accomplish the work, our spouses expect us to be loving and availableContinue reading “What to do with other people’s expectations”

As unto the Lord or unto men?

I have been thinking a lot about why we do what we do. And if we are honest with ourselves there is an inordinate amount of time, energy, worrying, guessing and second-guessing that takes place in many of our lives about what other people think about us. We pick our clothes, our words, our philosophies,Continue reading “As unto the Lord or unto men?”

Forceful Advancement of the Kingdom

Scripture tells us that the kingdom of God is advancing forcefully and that forceful men grab a hold of it. The Word also tells us that the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. These two verses speak to me. But they speak to me that there is more toContinue reading “Forceful Advancement of the Kingdom”

Thoughts on church health and growth

Our church can be whatever we desire it to be. We are the facilitators of change, success and failure. True transformation and change comes because of God’s love, grace and power but it is our faith and obedience or lack thereof that either releases God’s transforming grace or quenches His Spirit. The question isContinue reading “Thoughts on church health and growth”

Jesus’ example for contemporary ministry

Some realities I have noticed about Jesus’ ministry and its example for contemporary ministry: Don’t procrastinate – there’s not time Jesus didn’t do things alone (except for time alone with God and the occasional time of witnessing) His ‘office’ time was very limited Synagogue Early in the morning while it was still dark After darkContinue reading “Jesus’ example for contemporary ministry”

God is moving!

I wonder if you have noticed that God is on the move. He is lighting fires, changing lives and His Spirit is sweeping across the world with a force and fury wondrous to behold! You may be asking yourself…”Where is this movement?” And unfortunately many churches in North America are befuddled when they hear peopleContinue reading “God is moving!”