Ryan Johnson

I am an imperfect Christ-follower, husband and father to an amazing family, pastor @agapescottsboro. Listen weekly by subscribing at

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

@gatorgar Yes. Go to a Bible-believing church, as @MrsErikaKirk suggested, and let the pastor know that you are there because you want to get closer to God and get more involved as a family. Most churches would be glad to have you. If you want more insight, DM me.

[Charlie Kirk @charliekirk11]

It’s all about Jesus.

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

@Disney @TODAYshow @FoxNews, here is a funny one from my daughter today

Daughter: “Do I have stitches?”

Us: “Yes.”

Daughter (fresh off anesthesia): 😱 “THEY PUT STITCH IN MY MOUTH! …I ATE LILO!!”

https://t.co/2sch0Es5GE

#WisdomTeeth #LiloAndStitch #ViralMoment

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us tomorrow at @agapescottsboro as we celebrate the start of summer and God's compassion! Invite a friend to hear the Good News!

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us tomorrow at @agapescottsboro as we celebrate new life, achievements, and life's meaning! Invite a friend to hear the Good News!

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us tomorrow as we celebrate God's grace at Agape! The men are cooking breakfast for everyone, and we will start serving at 8:45.

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Tomorrow will be a GREAT day to gather at @agapescottsboro and celebrate God's design for life, relationships, and the church! Invite a friend!

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us tomorrow at @agapescottsboro as we gather for an incredible day of worship and celebration!

[Benjamin Watson @BenjaminSWatson]

Indeed. More than a conqueror.

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us tomorrow at @agapescottsboro as we gather for an incredible day of worship and celebration!

[Matt Smethurst @MattSmethurst]

The gospel changes heaven’s courtroom from a criminal trial to an adoption ceremony.

[Luke Simmons @lukedsimmons]

As a pastor trying to lead a healthy church staff, here are 5 MISTAKES I've made more often than I'd like to admit:

1. Allowing Ambiguity
When people aren't clear on expectations, job descriptions, what success looks like, what our vision is, etc... it sets everyone up to lose.

Key idea: "If it's not written down, it doesn't exist."

2. Devaluing Differences
I've had times where I subtly devalued and disregarded people who didn't think, process, or work like I do. But that only leads to a lopsided staff with all the same weaknesses.

Meditating on 1 Corinthians 12, using good profile assessments, & having conversations about strengths/weaknesses are crucial.

3. Mismanaging Meetings
Leaders have to have meetings. Leaders who hate meetings (and act like it) are cutting their own legs out from under themselves.

We need different kinds of meetings, shorter meetings, purposeful meetings, and prepared-for meetings.

4. Avoiding Accountability
This is often a byproduct of unclear expectations, but it's also the common result of a lack of courage. We have to provide clarity on the front end and coaching along the way.

If you are avoiding a tough conversation or constantly adapting your own priorities to accommodate for underperforming teammates, there's an accountability problem.

5. Trivializing Transition
All leadership is change leadership. It's inherently saying, "We can't stay here. We must go there." That change creates pain and loss.

When we don't take seriously how it's disrupting people, we will either steamroll them without compassion or allow them to steamroll us when they emotionally try to steer us back to the status quo.

—

Leading a church staff is hard and complicated. The strange overlap of relationships (spiritual family, co-workers, friends, etc) is super weird. Even when it's going well, it's almost always fragile.

But if we watch out for these leadership landmines, we'll have a much better shot at success.

Follow me @lukedsimmons for more resources and tools on healthy church leadership.

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us tomorrow at @agapescottsboro as we study the book of Numbers! It might be your favorite Old Testament book after tomorrow! 😉

[Shane Pruitt @shane_pruitt78]

Do babies and young children go to Heaven?

At 12:50 AM on a Tuesday morning, our ten-year-old son with unique needs went to be Jesus.

So, a statement like this begs the question, “Am I just wishing this to be true, or do I Biblically know this to be true?”

Meaning, is there support in Scripture that God welcomes babies (born and unborn), young children, and those with unique mental needs (meaning they may be older, but have the mind of a child) immediately into Heaven?

I absolutely believe the Bible answers this. Here are Biblical reasons why I know this to be true:

God’s Knowledge: The Lord knows every child at conception and values them. They are considered a person, known and loved by God, from the very beginning. (Psalm 139:13 - 16).

God’s Declaration: God refers to young children as “innocents”. Not that they were perfect or without a sin nature, but they were innocent of the ability to understand the need of repentance and forgiveness. (Jeremiah 19:4).

God’s Promise: In Deuteronomy, we find an unbelieving generation of Israelites being prevented from entering the Promised Land, but their children were exempt from that penalty and were able to enter (Deuteronomy 1:39).

God’s Possession: He considers all babies to be His. God condemns Israel in Ezekiel 16:21, of the wretched act of child sacrifice. “You slaughtered My children and offered them up to idols by causing them to pass through the fire.”

God’s Compassion: He has compassion on all little ones and infants, and is not willing that even one of them should perish (Matthew 18:14). His grace covers them, until they realize their need of a Savior.

God’s Illustration: He used a child to illustrate what one must become like to enter His Kingdom (Matthew 18:1 -5). If infants and children would end up in Hell if they died young, He most likely wouldn’t use them as an illustration of how to enter the Kingdom.

God’s Compliment: He said children were the greatest in His Kingdom (Matthew 18:4).

God’s Blessing: Jesus blessed the little children and said the Kingdom of God belongs to them (Mark 9:13 – 16). Jesus typically didn’t bless those destined to Hell or promise them the Kingdom, unless He meant it.

David’s Assurance: David knew that he would be in heaven forever after death (Ps 23:6). He also had the assurance that his baby (that had died) would be there as well, where they would be reunited. “… I will go to him, but he will not return to me (2 Samuel 12:22 – 23).”

God’s Presence: I do not believe in a “soul sleep”. When babies, young children, and those with unique needs die; they are with the Lord immediately (2 Corinthians 5:8, Luke 23:43).

God is not silent on this topic. Scripture speaks.

Therefore, you can know with absolute confidence that you did not “lose” your baby, child, or loved one with unique needs. You didn’t lose them, because you know exactly where they are. They are perfectly and fully alive with Jesus.

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Happy February! Kick-off this month worshipping the Lord with us at @agapescottsboro as we continue our HIStory series through the Bible.

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Tomorrow, we will gather to worship and then have a potluck lunch in honor of the Campers on Mission. Join us, bring some food, and let's show our appreciation to them!

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us in person or online at @agapescottsboro tomorrow for our 10:15 service with Children's Church and Nursery. We will not have small groups at 9 AM. Join us!

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Happy New Year! Join us at @agapescottsboro as we begin our journey through the Bible! Start your year off right and find your place in God's story!

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

@BillBubbaBussey We love you @BillBubbaBussey! You have shaped and influenced many with laughter, truth, and good ideas. Keep fighting the good fight, my brother! God is not finished with you yet!

[Ryan Johnson @PastorRyanJ]

Join us Sunday at @agapescottsboro as we continue celebrating Jesus this Christmas!