Resurrection Church, formerly the Church of the Resurrection, has a vision for a new era and a part of that vision is the addition of Pastor Robert Johnson to their ministerial team.
Resurrection Church, with six Kansas City-area locations, is the largest United Methodist Church in the world. Each Sunday, the church averages 52,000 worshippers between in-person and online attendance. Johnson will serve as the campus pastor of the church’s main campus in Leawood, Johnson County, KS.
In this role, he’ll lead the staff at the campus, help develop new programs, work to expand the reach of the campus, possibly by expanding his podcasting and social media outreach, and help grow the diversity at his campus.
Johnson, who will turn 57 in a few months, says it’s a move in the right direction for him. He’ll be allowed – in fact, encouraged – to do more of the advocacy work that’s important to him and the church’s leadership.
Johnson has been one of the most vocal African-American ministers in Kansas. He can be found regularly advocating on critical social, economic and climate justice issues, on behalf of people across the state.
Now Johnson, who says he can’t disconnect his passion for social justice from his faith, will have an even larger platform and more resources to help bring about positive change.
Resurrection Church was founded in 1990 by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, who still serves as the church’s senior pastor. When he founded the church, he hoped to attract “thinking people not actively involved in a church.”
Leading a church that’s progressive, both theologically and politically, Hamilton remains committed to the “renewal” of the church in America, and he sees Resurrection’s revisioning as essential for a new era that must attract a new generation.
“That has a lot to do with them wanting me to come to that main campus,” said Johnson, who’s approaching retirement. “This is the kind of work I want to do for the next 10 or 12 years.”
If you want to gain a better understanding of Johnson’s spiritual philosophy, read his book, “Jesus Unchained: How to Rise Above the Agendas, Find Peace, and Be Set Free.”
Johnson officially starts at Resurrection Church on July 1.
Known Pastor Johnson since kids…congratulations to him, the Church and his family.
Proud of Pastor Johnson, so is Columbia, Ms. We celebrate you.
I have k own Pastor Johnson for over 20 years and always expected great things in the service of God. A true man of integrity, vision and intellect with a heart for healing and Justice for the least, the last, the lost. Robert is an incredible human being.