The New Church NW

Hello blog-friends!

I've attached a letter I am working on to explain what's new in the lives of the Johnson Family. I'd love your feedback and questions! It's a long letter and I've tried to shorten it, but can't come up with a way to say less and still say what I want to ! I'm not usually too long on words, but I can't seem to edit this down. Your ideas would be appreciated.

Here goes!


Dear Friends and Family,


Mike and I are writing to let you know about our upcoming life plans. After 10 years in full-time church ministry, we are responding to what has been an ongoing sense of God’s calling on our lives to begin a new church.

Most of you know that in 1995 we both graduated with our Bachelor’s degrees in Missions, with the intent of doing international church planting. Master’s Degrees, five children and twelve years later, we are essentially back to where we started. The difference now is that we have a decade of church work experience and hopefully ten more years of spiritual and personal maturity behind us!

The other significant difference is that instead of international church planting we are focusing on domestic church planting. We live in the Seattle area, and records for the past 25 years running indicate that this region is one of the most unchurched areas in the US. Sadly, mainstream churches in this area are on the decline. On the other hand, new church starts are doing well in this area and are tapping into an unchurched population that is responding well to alternative approaches to church. By this we do not mean an alternative gospel message, but rather, in the words of Billy Graham, an eternal message in contemporary means.

We believe we are uniquely poised for such an opportunity for several reasons. The first is our family. As you all know, the greatest thing about Mike and Dena Johnson happens to be our children! What I mean by this is that our unique family has opened so many doors to us that might not have otherwise been opened. We believe we have an opportunity to minister in a culturally diverse area because of our multi-ethnic family. In addition to the ethnicity of our family, that fact that we have a large family is also a reason we feel uniquely positioned to do church work in our area. Families are in great need of support and in greater need of role models and teaching. We feel very humbled and honored to be able to offer young families the support and lifestyle modeling many are desperate for.

The second reason we feel well positioned is because of Mike’s experience in this community. As you know, he is a social and outgoing guy! He has established many relationships in the community over our past several years of living here and is well connected with civic and religious leaders. These relationships are key to any successful church plant, as we do not believe we are called to do church work in isolation or opposition but rather in relationship and in community. Additionally, my work and my community relationships are an important aspect of why a church plant in this area seems wise.

A third reason I believe we are called to this new path is something less easily defined but equally as important: We are passionate about outreach, about people, about incarnational relationships, and about the Pacific Northwest. These passions make us ideal for church planting, while at times less than ideal for established church ministries.

(Side Note: By incarnational relationships I mean the kind of relationships that acknowledge that the redemptive work of Jesus began by his choosing to live amongst us. Rather than living beyond us, or above us, he dwelt among us. He lived and sweat and bled and worked and worshipped in our midst as one who was fully man, and fully God. The stance of this theology (unique to Christianity alone in the world) is that our God does not disdain nor manipulate his creation- he does not rain down fire bolts from a distant heaven or randomly bless those who ingratiate themselves to him. He breathed his own image into his creation and chose to walk among them in fellowship and humility. Imagine what a church looks like that seeks to live out that same profound respect and intimacy with humanity!)

While in no way intending to be disrespectful or discourteous, the reality we have experienced is that established institutions must spend energy and resources maintaining themselves. A new church plant does not have the challenge of slowly reorienting a large and slowly moving vessel. While I am thrilled and humbled that some people are clearly called to such tasks, those of you who have known Mike and me for any amount of time know that this is obviously not our unique temperament or calling.

With all of that said, I am writing to invite you to join us in this endeavor. What we are asking for is your prayers, your input, and essentially your sense of what you know of us and if this decision seems to gel with what you know. We will definitely need guidance and spiritual discernment in this whole process and do not want to step into something that is not supported and blessed in prayer and wisdom. We obviously will need financial support and “seed money” to begin a new church. The cost of incorporating, buying sound systems, renting facilities, etc. will be offset eventually by a growing body, but in the initial phase we will do some fundraising to provide for these essential needs.

For those of you who live nearby, we do ask that you consider being a part of this new effort. We are not asking you to leave your church for ours! We are asking, however, that you consider if God has been preparing you for such a ministry and for such a time. A new church requires a solid base of established Christians to provide care and spiritual leadership for new believers. We do not for a minute believe that the two of us have what it takes to minister to growing body on our own. Indeed, we have been a part of a rapidly growing church that did not have a secure base in place to provide spiritual care for its new members. The eventual burnout and disappointment inherent in such a system is a great tragedy.

Jesus told believers to go to the unbelievers and to make disciples. This implies an investment of time and of one’s life- not merely a new program geared at outreach. If you want to consider joining us in a lifestyle of ministry and incarnational relationships, we’d love to spend time with you praying about this.

Some of the specifics are in place, others are not. For now we are primarily gathering to pray and seek leadership of the Holy Spirit. Our hope is that Mike will be able to find part-time work elsewhere to help support our family during this transition. Until those details are clarified, we won’t be able to commit to time frames or agenda. What we are feeling sure of is the area around South Center (South of Seattle by about 12 miles, for those of you outside the Northwest). The pastoral association Mike belongs to is supportive of our efforts and is willing to walk with us in relationship. Additionally, a local church has offered us the use of their building. Our current church, The Church by the Side of the Road in Tukwila is prayerfully considering how they might support this new church and what, if any, oversight they might offer. This blessing and support means a lot to us, and is something that seems to reflect the guidance of the Lord. Other than the idea of being located in Tukwila, we are still in the very early stages of planning.

Once again, we are primarily asking for you prayers and for your input. We are open to what you have to say and will really consider your words as an important part of this process. I think that if we are to do something new, it has to start in a position and attitude of humility and genuine willingness to hear from God and His people. You are all a vital part of that for us!

Please respond however you prefer. You can call us at: 206.244.0708 home
253.670.0777 Dena cell

Or you can email us at: onpilgrimage@yahoo.com Dena
j.michaeljohnson@yahoo.com Mike

Thanks for your friendship and for the ways you have invested in our lives over the years.

In Christ,

Dena and Mike Johnson