Author Archives: Michael D Johnson

If you feel like everything is just too much, too overwhelming and too painful, I want to share some life-altering truth with you! Please take the time to read both the first and the second parts of this article. They are both exceedingly important. Part 1 The gospel of Jesus Christ, is a message ofContinue reading “Are you distracted? Are you tired? Is everything just too much?”

Dear pastor, What would it be like, if collectively, all of God’s shepherds would pray daily for their flocks? What would it be like if we all reached out with love and compassion as well as the challenging truths of the gospel? What would it be like if we all modeled a life of peaceContinue reading “Tending God’s flock with patience, holiness, wisdom and understanding”

Dear fellow minister and servant leader of God’s people, What does it look like to be faithful to the call God has placed upon us? In the middle of this crazy mixed up world and even in the midst of polarizing, divisive and judgmental perspectives within the church, how can we stand out as lights?Continue reading “Let us be different in how we pastor and how we preach”

The call to pastoral ministry is a difficult call. We are to shepherd people, oversee the administration of the church, equip the people for works of service, preach the gospel, care for the sick, hurting and absent, and the list goes on. Perhaps one of the more difficult roles shepherds must tend to (and itContinue reading “Be a shepherd who lays down your life for the sheep”

There are certain words that consistently come up these days:  I believe that there is a common denominator that ties all these things together. Depending on how you read the title of this post, you may have already been trying to think of what one word describes your life. Maybe one (or more) of theContinue reading “One word to describe your life, go:”

I love people. I love seeing them experience a breakthrough. I love seeing them live victoriously. I love laughing with them and rejoicing with them in the blessings and milestones of life. But I also hurt for the pain they endure. And the pain they put themselves through. And the pain they cause other peopleContinue reading “The joy and pain of pastoring”

Is your life full of peace? Is everything calm and full of tranquility? My life seems to have moments of this but unfortunately it seems like those moments are often few and far between. The chaos and tumult and craziness that are ever present around me seem to always threaten to consume me and stealContinue reading “Where is this “peace on earth” we just sang about last month?”

Sometimes I think to myself: “well, I may not have succeeded in what I hoped to, but I will just hold on until I can retire and it will be what it will be” This resignation is not usually a good thing when it comes to ministers dealing with their disappointments and disillusionment in ministry.Continue reading “The paradox of disappointment in ministry”

Steps in the darkSteps into the unknownWhich direction? What dangers? What will happen? But I walk by faithKnowing You are my guide, my companion, my defender Uncertainty, but also possibilityThe unknown, but hand-in-hand with the One I know So I walk by faithBelieving you can see what is aheadTrusting you are leading me to aContinue reading “Walking by faith”