Rev. Sarah Johnson

Introducing: Rev. Sarah A. Johnson, M.Div., Nominee for Associate Pastor for Christian Formation

PPC’s Associate Pastor Nominating Committee introduces Rev. Sarah A. Johnson, M.Div., as its nominee for Associate Pastor for Christian Formation at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Johnson’s personal thoughts

“I believe that family ministry is not just about children but also about the adults who nurture them. Adult education and family ministry are not separate entities but essential pieces of a more holistic ministry. I hope to help equip parents with the tools to grow their own faith lives so that they will feel more confident speaking about and modeling that faith for their children. Growing deep faith involves not simply exposing children to Bible stories but rooting them in intergenerational communities – family and congregation – where they encounter the people that love them, enacting a larger story of divine care and hope. I am excited to be a part of what God is already doing at Pinnacle, helping families grow a deeper connection to Christ and one another.”

“One of the key theological issues facing the church today is courageously proclaiming a theology of abundance based on the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ in the face of an overwhelming myth of scarcity. The story that dominates our culture today is largely built on scarcity and fear; the idea that there is not enough ... enough money, enough resources, enough grace to go around and that we must hold tightly to what we have been given. As a result, our lives shrink, mirroring not the generosity of God, with whom all things are possible, but a scarcity bred of fear ... In the midst of a struggling economy, an environment of anxiety, and a growing dis–grace, the church has the possibility of nurturing an alternative consciousness of generosity, love, and service to one another and the world after the example of Jesus Christ.”

Education

Furman University, Greenville, S.C.
Bachelor of Arts in Religion, 2005

Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J.
Master of Divinity, 2008

Experience

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, N.C. (Suburban 2,000–member congregation)

• Youth Ministry Summer Intern, June–September 2003
• General Ministry Summer Intern, June–September 2004

Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Chester, Pa. (Suburban 2,000–member congregation)

• Field Education Intern, September 2005–May 2006

Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, Trenton, N.J.

• Clinical Pastoral Education Chaplain, June–September 2007

Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Ill. (Urban 6,000–member congregation)

• Lilly Pastoral Resident*, August 2008–August 2010
• Minister for Congregational Care, August 2010–June 2011

* The Lilly Residency Program is funded by the Lilly Endowment, to identify seminary graduates who are unusually gifted for ministry and place them in two–year intensive programs, like a medical residency, in which they continue study and reflection and become quickly and deeply experienced in all aspects of ministry. Residents attend national meetings and other educational events, then become a part of a national network to sustain them in their ongoing ministries.

Bio

Sarah was born in Charlotte, N.C., and grew up in Methodist and Presbyterian churches there and in nearby Greensboro. Her parents still live in Greensboro, where her mother, Caryl, is an elementary school teacher and her father, David, works for Avery Dennison Label. Her younger sister Nancy is an industrial engineer who lives in Greenville, S.C. Sarah says, “I love all that life has to offer. I run, play tennis, and enjoy the outdoors while also keeping up with fashion, politics, and the arts. I am always up for a new adventure in whatever part of life that may be!”

Rev. Sarah Johnson

What Others say about Rev. Johnson

“Sarah has done a superb job managing the pastoral care responsibilities at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago. I have personally witnessed her deep commitment to parishioners who turn to her and have appreciated her sharp administrative skill as she addresses the complexities of serving a 6,000 member congregation.”

“Sarah displayed a range and quality of innate gifts that were unsurpassed by even the most seasoned, experienced candidates. These included (but were not limited to) her capacity to “be present in the moment” when communicating with people one–on–one, her humility and at times self–deprecating humor that was disarming, given her obvious intellectual gifts, her academic success and her achievements in ministry.”

“PPC is a young congregation, and Sarah Johnson can help us mature in our ministry. She will help our members and the congregation deepen our faith.”

“Sarah has a lifelong dedication to ministry that she will continue to grow and now share with Pinnacle Pres.”

“Of all the pastors I have worked with over the years, Sarah is far and away the most naturally gifted for ministry. She asks the right questions, has good instincts, builds relationships, is a good teacher, ... has natural empathy and builds trust very easily.”

“... Sarah’s heart and mind are mature beyond her years. Her engaging personality combines care and competence with an easy wit and ready smile. She is a pastor whom people of all ages will feel free to approach, confide in, and enjoy.”

Associate Pastor for Christian Formation: Major Responsibilities

• Develop intentional pastoral relationships with church members through visits, pastoral counseling sessions and other important life situations of the community of faith.

• Preach and teach the word of God by communicating inspirational and challenging sermons and educational opportunities.

• Seeing the family as a prime location for Christian formation, continue and further develop family ministries, with an emphasis on families with children.

• Provide pastoral oversight and theological direction for the children’s ministry program, including staff.

• With the Senior Pastor, provide leadership to PPC’s adult education program by providing professional partnership to help it reach its full potential.

• Provide pastoral guidance to our lay–coordinated Deacons ministries, and serve as liaison to the PPC Preschool.

• Advocate and support PPC’s mission beyond our campus, and engage the wider church through study and writing and other leadership as appropriate.

• Join the staff in coordinating current and future worship opportunities

Rev. Johnson to Visit PPC

You will have the opportunity to hear Rev. Johnson preach at PPC on Sunday, April 3, at the 8 and 10 a.m. services. Immediately following the 10 a.m. service there will be a congregational meeting and member vote to confirm this call.

If her call is confirmed, Rev. Johnson plans to join us on the Take Your Mama to Tucson trip May 6–8 and to preach for the first time as our Associate Pastor of Christian Formation on Sunday, May 29.

The APNC is grateful to God for blessing PPC with another gifted pastor and hopeful that the entire congregation will be part of this exciting time in the life of our church!