Darrell Johnson: Speaking to the Weariness of Pastors, an Exercise for Moving Through Your Internal World & What to Preach Today
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In this episode, Jason sits down with Darrell Johnson. Their conversation weaves through updates on Darrell’s life, the fatigue of the average church leader, the lies one might believe about ministry after this past year, how one can effectively process their deepest emotions & more.
With over 50 years of experience serving the church, Darrell exudes empathy and compassion for the leader navigating the unique tensions of pastoral ministry today. The fatigued and worn out pastor will find safe company in Darrell as he himself admits to “feeling worn.” Darrell, at Jason’s request, shares a bit about how he rediscovers rest and vision when deep tiredness inevitably comes his way.
Darrell cannot recall the last time he missed a day in God’s Word - it’s a rhythm baked into the very fabric of his Sunday to Saturday life. And so Jason gets Darrell to draw from the well of his Biblical knowledge to help coach pastors on what books to preach through this next year. If ever-changing circumstances have you stumped on what to preach, we hope Darrell’s thoughts help steer you towards clarity and conviction.
In this conversation, Jason mentions that after months of ministry in the pandemic, many pastors are “afraid to look in …” In response, Darrell shares an exercise to help you sift through the real emotions tethered to your inner world, with the ultimate goal of making God’s voice more clear. This framework is a helpful way for any leader to process this past year of profound consequence, and to move into the New Year hearing God speaking identity, calling, and life over you.
If you’re feeling the weariness of the times, Darrell is a safe and calming teacher to sit down beside. We pray this conversation serves and spurs you on to meaningful ministry to yourself and those around you.
Darrell Johnson
Darrell Johnson has been preaching Jesus Christ and His Gospel for over 50 years. He has served a number of Presbyterian congregations in California, Union Church of Manila in the Philippines, and the historic First Baptist Church in the heart of Vancouver, Canada. He has taught preaching for Fuller Theological Seminary, Carey Theological College in Vancouver, and Regent College in Vancouver. He has authored eight books, including The Glory of Preaching and Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey Through Revelation.
He is currently serving as Scholar-in-Residence for The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network.
He and his wife Sharon have been married 46 years. Together they have raised four children adopted from four different countries of the world, and now enjoy loving nine active grandchildren!
“We do not carry the church on our shoulders. We do not carry the mission of the church on our shoulders. We do not carry the survival of our cities and our world on our shoulders.”
The Darrell Johnson Podcast
With over 50 years of experience preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the sermons of Darrell Johnson have served hundreds of thousands. Here at this podcast, you get access to Darrell's messages dating as far back as the 1990's to the present day.
Coming Up Next
Tim Mackie
For many years Tim Mackie served as a pastor and part-time professor at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. These days, he spends most of his time researching, writing, and offering creative direction at BibleProject.
Tim’s spiritual journey began with loving parents, who waited patiently for him to discover Jesus in his late teens. He started following Jesus because of an outreach ministry called Skatechurch.
Tim was introduced to the wonderful world of biblical studies and languages during his education at Multnomah University. He fell in love with biblical literature and developed a passion for understanding Jesus in his historical and cultural context.
Tim was so fascinated with Jesus’ Jewish heritage that he went on to pursue a degree in theology from Western Seminary and then gained a PhD in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
His early research and writing interests focused on the manuscript history of the Bible and the formation of the biblical canon. All along, Tim was fascinated with the literary artistry and design of biblical narrative and poetry. But most of all, he loved helping people understand how the overall biblical story works together and leads us to Jesus.