New Life Church!

Since Ten years of age, I've spent my life either preparing for, actually in, and/or training others for church and para church ministry. After graduating from college and pastoring in my early twenties, I was "brilliant." However, the longer I pastored, the less I came to be sure of.

With the experiences that midlife brings, I "know" fewer things, but are more certain of them...

God brought me out of darkness and into His marvelous light on a hot June night in 1968.
Answering His call at 10 years of age would impact my life for its entirety.
I have known the love a good woman. Apart from accepting Christ as my Savior, the smartest thing I ever did was marry Kathy.
Our marriage has produced four wonderful children- Nathan, Seth, Olivia and Micah. They have brought great joy to our lives.
Education is a powerful thing. A mind, once changed, never returns to its former state. I thank the Lord for His call and Kathy's unfailing encouragement toward Christian higher education.
After 7,000+ conversations on the Ministerial Enrichment HelpLine with clergy worldwide, I've come to know that they are just people, with all the stuff of anyone else, with the added challenge to being true to a Call to the Gospel work. They (we) are flawed people, but the Lord still uses them (us). Many years ago Doc Dobbins taught me that "there is good in the worst of us, and bad in the best of us."
I love the classroom, because training and prevention are more powerful than remediation. Getting one's fingerprints all over the brains and hearts of emerging leaders is an honor- one with much eternal responsibility.
With the exception of "father," there is no more noble title in all the world than "Pastor." It is, without a doubt, the toughest job (calling, lifestyle...) I've ever attempted. There is, however, no substitute for Biblical leadership of the local church- She is the Wife of God. To serve Her is a high honor. It amazes me that "in spite of our best efforts, the work of the church goes on." (Dr. David Leffler, Sr.) I'm grateful to all the people who have ever allowed me to pastor them.
I love to preach. To quote Doc Dobbins again, "Preaching is the ice cream parlor of the ministry." Sunday is never more than a week away!
I am grateful for God's placement of some great men in my life-
- Rev. Earl Barnabas Johnson, "gramps," who was my first model of agape love, and who faithfully preached the Gospel for 47 years.
- Pastor John Cox, the first to model the unction of the Holy Spirit while preaching. I'll never forget those Sunday nights at First Assembly of God in Coshocton, OH.
- Dr. William C. Richardson, my Paul, and my first and still best model of the pastor-teacher. He was my pastor, professor, landlord ($160.00 a month!) and employer for 3 1/2 years. I can only hope I was a good Timothy.
- Mr. Charles Patterson, Jr., and Mr. Milton Rader, two of the finest deacons a young pastor ever had. The loved me in spite of me.
- Dr. Lee Solomon, a kind and gentle man- seminary prof, mentor, friend and colleague. I remember the first day of class with him as my prof. I wanted what he had, and he invested in me.
- Dr. Larry Reinhart, who gave me a chance to teach, and to provide for my family while being true to my call. I can never thank him enough.
Most of all, Jesus Christ loves me, in spite of my sin-- Oh, what a Savior!

Stay close to Jesus,
slj

Shane L. "Doc" Johnson,
Lead Pastor, New Life Church

Leadership Resources

Articles & Resources for Church Workers

Starting a Greeter Program
Four years ago I accepted the challenge of evangelism chairperson for our church. One of the first programs the pastor and I developed was the Sunday morning greeter program.
Motivating the Right Person into the Right Ministry
One of the greatest challenges for most leaders is selecting and motivating the right people into the right ministry positions in hopes of minimizing turnover and frustration. Even in the smaller church with limited personnel, it is important to coordinate people and ministry as much as possible.
“I TRIED, BUT NO ONE EVER CALLED ME”
“I tried, but no one ever called me” are painful words for a leader who has much work to do and not enough people willing to do it. These words are painful for the person who wanted to contribute, but was never called. These are also painful words for a person who is committed to helping people connect and contribute in meaningful ways within the church.