First Christian Church of Joplin made some big strides this past year — two in one month, in fact.
Not only did the congregation return to its previously held status of an Independent Christian Church, but the church also voted in a permanent pastor, all taking place in September. The church required more support than it was getting under Disciples of Christ, so it made the switch to Independent Christian, a classification it had many years before.
After nearly three years under interim ministers, First Christian voted in a permanent pastor (even though part-time) in David Johnson, a native of Illinois who began his new duties early this year.
Johnson came from Watonga, Oklahoma, where he had been the full-time pastor for more than 10 years at Watonga Christian Church.
He accepted the First Christian position even though it meant he would have to find a full-time job elsewhere in the area. He had not worked in any field other than the ministry for more than three decades, so this would not only be a new start but also a drastic life change for him.
“This is my first time to be a bi-vocational pastor,” said Johnson, who was also hired, along with his wife, Neara, by Kraft Insurance Services in Joplin. “It has been quite a step of faith for us. It has been very exciting and very rewarding to see how God has provided for us and how he has led us. We now have different schedules and a different mindset to face the challenge, but it has been a good challenge and rewarding.”
The decision to relocate to Joplin was based on more than a new ministry and business career but also family considerations. The Johnsons’ son, Seth, attends Ozark Christian College, and their daughter, Hannah, recently graduated from Missouri Southern State University and is looking for a teaching job in the area. In addition, the Johnsons wanted to get closer to Neara’s mother, who lives in Springfield.
Johnson said he sat down one night in Watonga and just out of the blue decided to email First Christian to see if there was a full-time position available. Even though the church was only seeking a part-time pastor, it was eagerly looking for someone to commit to a permanent basis.
“We were so excited because we felt like God had made all this happen, and the timing was impeccable,” said Johnson, whose congregation of about 70 people at First Christian is about 40 less than he had at his Watonga church.
By the way, even though First Christian had a humble beginning, with members meeting in whatever buildings around Joplin they could find or at other already established churches, it grew rapidly thanks to a group of dynamic evangelists.
Johnson said that not only is attendance down at churches where he has served but across America. As a result, full-time pastor positions have also decreased.
“I have heard stories of churches, particularly in smaller towns, that cannot afford full-time ministers and have gone to part time,” said Johnson, whose father left his job in Chicago as an industrial engineer to go into the ministry. “There have been more and more cases of bi-vocational pastors. Some ministers are quitting today because of financial pressures. It is getting tougher and tougher to pay a full-time preacher.”
First Christian was founded in 1874 and built at its present location, 409 W. Fourth St., in 1901. At its peak, First Christian had 1,200 members, with other churches spawning from its ministry.
Address correspondence to Rich Brown, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, MO 64802, or email richbrown@cableone.net.
Want to go?
First Christian Church is located at 409 W. Fourth St. in Joplin. Worship services are held at 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
Details: 417-623-2390.