The Rev. Jerry Johnston & the tale of hellfire & the funny money

By Diane Silver

I'm taking a brief break from mulling over future life to point your attention to a new Kansas City Star report alleging that the "good" Rev. Jerry Johnston misused donations. This is the second time The Star has raised serious questions about the use of money by the reigning star of fundamentalist Kansas.

As with the first report, this one gives detail and quotes numerous people with firsthand knowledge of the supposed financial shenanigans.

This new report focuses on his first group, Jerry Johnston Ministries. He ran that from 1979 to the birth of his megachurch, First Family Church, in Overland Park in 1996.

For me the most poignant and frightening part of the story are the quotes from Zoe Raymonde, a former accountant for JJM. She talks about how the ministry had just received a $50,000 check from a corporation. The money was supposed to be used for radio and TV shows for the ministry, but Raymonde says that the Johnstons wanted it for their personal use.

The Star reports, but the emphasis is mine:

Raymonde said when she arrived at work the next morning, co-worker (Kim) Barr told her that Christie Johnston (Johnston's wife) had called and said they were to cut her a check for $50,000.

Raymonde said she called Christie Johnston back and told her she wouldn’t do that. Shortly after that, she said, Jerry Johnston called and demanded that she write a check to Christie Johnston.

“I said, ‘You are nuts. Do you think someone’s not going to notice $50,000 coming in, $50,000 going out?’ ” Raymonde said. “I was told I was listening to the devil, to get down on my knees and start confessing. I was told that I was going to sign that check or basically I was going to hell.

For a few moments I'd like to set aside the immorality of a pastor's family allegedly demanding $50,000 of money from the ministry for their own use. Instead, let's say that there was nothing wrong with Christie Johnston's request.

Even if that were true -- and it isn't close to right -- what is moral - ethical - kind - Christian - commonsense right about turning a dispute over writing a check into damnation? What kind of man, let along pastor, would threaten one of his congregation with hellfire for doing nothing more than disagreeing about writing a check?

If Raymonde is telling the truth, then Johnston is not only a cheat with money, he is also a cheat with religion and a poor excuse for a human being.

The Johnstons deny everything and provide an audit, an affadavit and other statements to prove their innocence.The Star report provides a convincing amount of detail and witnesses.

No matter what happened, one thing is clear: Somebody's lying.

Kansas: Jerry Johnston & First Family Church are officially under investigation

By Diane Silver

Since The Kansas City Star's March series on the financial dealings of the Rev. Jerry Johnston and his First Family Church, a few of us have been waiting for something, anything else, to happen. The other shoe has finally dropped.

Today word came that Attorney General Paul Morrison is investigating two complaints about the financial dealings of Johnston and FFC. Several complaints have also been filed with the IRS. The KC Star has the details.

I welcome these investigations. If they have nothing to hide, then I would think that Johnston and his family would welcome a chance to clear their names. If I were a member of the FFC congregation, I would be thrilled to learn about the investigations. I would certainly want to know where my money was going.

Kansas: Baptist says Jerry Johnston shows the church needs to change

By Diane Silver

I didn't say that the Rev. Jerry Johnston's secretive financial practices are proof of the need for change, but Dr. Jim West, a Baptist pastor and historian did.

After noting that the Southern Baptists are one of the few denominations where a person can be a pastor without any formal training, West argues that Johnston is a good example of why that policy should be changed. Johnston is a high school dropout who has yet to finish a bachelor's degree or a seminary program,* but he is pastor of the First Family Church, megaplex in Overland Park, Kan. (FYI, the emphasis is mine.)

Maybe it’s time that the SBC (Southern Baptist Church) adopt a policy that ordination requires at the very least a college diploma and then a few years from now a Master’s Degree. The SBC already has lots of requirements for participating churches (mostly having to do with finances)- so if it can require financial participation it can also require education.

If it doesn’t, members will continue to be taken advantage of by ill informed, ignorant leaders who are in the ministry, frankly, because they are too lazy to do anything else (include learn).

Meanwhile, Keith D. Herron, senior pastor at Holmeswood Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., writes about Johnston's habit of keeping the financial books closed:

Churches cannot be healthy where secrets abound and refusing to answer the hard questions has the appearance of being its own answer.

*Johnston says he will complete a BA in Biblical Studies this spring. He got his high school diploma through a GED exam.

Kansas: Jerry Johnston is accused of short-changing his staff while rewarding his family

By Diane Silver

I have been informed by private email that the Rev. Jerry Johnston's First Family Church of Overland Park has a problem parting with money to help staff teach children's classes.

While the church boasts of a $17 million budget and provides lavish lifestyles for Rev. Jerry and his family, he is alleged to be holding tight to funds for supplies for AWANA, a Christian children's program taught at FFC, and Vacation Bible School. I have been told that the people who teach those classes pay for supplies out of their own pockets. I have also been informed that the church won't pay for childcare during weekday Bible studies.

I haven't been able to check these reports out. If you know anything about this or -- as important -- if you have information that this is incorrect, please let me know. I'll correct this post immediately if it's wrong.

If this is true, then well, it's sad.

By the way, that $17 million budget for the 4,200-member FFC compares oddly with the $12 million budget at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood. That church has nearly 12,000 members.

Kansas: Another minister talks about Jerry Johnston's betrayal of his people

By Diane Silver

While I was gone, a minister at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in St. Joseph, Mo., blogged about a long ago encounter with a twentysomething Jerry Johnston.

At that time, the man who would one day lead the First Family church of Overland Park, Kan., was the evangelist at a Southern Baptist youth camp. The good Rev. Peep was a teenaged camper.

Even then Johnston preached hellfire. He terrified the young camper. In his post, the Rev. Peep argues that Johnston's theology of fear is more of a betrayal of his congregation than the financial shenanigans Johnston has been accused of recently.

The Rev. Peep writes;

I can't help but think about the 13 year-old me. I believed what he said. I trusted him. I agonized over what he preached. I was tender-hearted, vulnerable and doing my best to be a good Christian. I was manipulated. I only lost a bit of innocence. I never recall giving any money to Jerry Johnston, like so many others. Yet, he betrayed me and he betrayed the Gospel by teaching me about a vengeful God and offering nothing of God's grace. Jerry's gospel was about Jerry. Then and now.

When I have time. (Hah! No really...) I want to look more into the Gospel of Jerry. I think it may well be time to talk theology, but first, a little money-inducing work.

Kansas: Yet more on Jerry Johnston & problems at First Family Church

By Diane Silver

Kudos to JustCara for pulling together information on the Rev. Jerry Johnston, his many transgressions (both large and small), and the First Family Church in Overland Park.

Among the topics, JustCara and her visitors touch on are:

• Johnston's need for bodyguards (a preacher who needs bodyguards? huh?)
• Harsh treatment of those who question Johnston
• Luxuries for the Johnston's while missionaries and church members struggle
  
• Reports of a lavish wedding registry for a Johnston child
  

Much of the info is from posts and comments, many from people who have been involved in the church and have personal stories to tell. I've also had comments from folks who've attended and worked at First Family. (take a look at the comments section of this post.) I think it's important for us to connect all of these, so people can pool their knowledge.

Kansas: Learn excellence in the ministry the Jerry Johnston Way

By Diane Silver

Hat tip to Evolving in Kansas for uncovering Jerry Johnston's Ministry School of Leadership Excellence, and no, that isn't a joke. There's no word on the web page, though, about whether Johnston teaches financial management or ethics.

Why should we care? Take a look at these recent posts.

Debate over Johnston and his ethics, or lack of them, continues

Kansas: Christian bloggers express outrage over Jerry Johnston's trangressions

Kansas: Lavish lifestyle and questionable finances mark work of anti-gay pastor
This last post is particularly interesting because it drew a number of people who say they attended Johnston's First Family Church or worked for him.

Kansas: Debate over Jerry Johnston & his ethics, or lack of them, continues

By Diane Silver

The original post about the Rev. Jerry Johnston and questions about his financial dealings will soon slip off the front page of this blog. Thus, I want to point folks toward it and remind you that debate on Johnston is continuing in the comment section.

Several people who say they attend, or have worked for Johnston's First Family Church are posting fairly detailed information. Their comments are well worth reading.

And yet another church leader weighs in on "Dr. J."

I love Rev. Jerry Johnston. He is my brother in Christ, and I love him. I'm afraid I don't have a lot of respect for him, but I love him....

I disagree with Pastor Jerry about just about everything, but it is this financial stuff that is galling. He repeatedly declares that it is "common practice" in the church for parishoners to be kept in the dark about the church's spending, including things like the pastor's salary.

Poppycock.

Kansas: Jerry Johnston's "empire of fear" hurts people more than possible fiscal misdeeds

By Diane Silver

Applause to the Rev. Thom Belote for his stirring sermon about the real problem with the Rev. Jerry Johnston and his First Family Church.

The minister of the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church in Overland Park, Belote argues that the damage done by Johnston's politics and preaching far outweigh the shortcomings of Johnston's character. The Kansas City Star profiled Johnston's character issues last week.

Belote reprinted the sermon in his blog. The emphasis is mine.

The story is he has built his empire, his empire of fear and ignorance, on a message of hostility to every single person who is here this morning, and every single person who worshipped yesterday at a synagogue, or Friday at a mosque, or at a Buddhist center or a United Methodist church or UCC church or Quaker Meeting or those persons who participate in no religious community at all. How many of these persons of different colors, of different shapes, from different nations, who practice dissimilar spiritualities, who belong to diverse communities and denominations, are persons of impeccable and unassailable character? How many of them look out for their neighbors, participate in the community, practice generosity and compassion and tolerance? But, the content of your character means very little to Johnston. Johnston judges you by the conformity of your creed, not by the content of your character.

On this matter, I believe that Jerry Johnston’s character is very much beside the point. His presence is very much beside the point. I’d just as soon judge him on his body of work.

Amen to that.
---------------

Photo: Johnston at the podium.

Kansas: Continued debate about money & anti-gay pastor Jerry Johnston

By Diane Silver

The debate over the Rev. Jerry Johnston and his alleged lavish life and financial misdeeds continues in the letters column of the Kansas City Star and in my comments section.

I'm been particularly interested to read the comments from folks who have attended Johnston's church. Several have visited my blog.

It is a sad day when we're not debating theology, but instead are talking about honesty and such basic values as keeping your word. Here I'm referring to concerns that Johnston raised millions for a school that shows no signs of opening.

When you raise money for a project, you give your word to donors that the money will be used in the way you say. Isn't honesty a basic Christian value? See the original Kansas City Star series for details.

Hello visitors from Prime Buzz! Looking for my posts on Jerry Johnston?

By Diane Silver

The good folks from the KC Star's Prime Buzz blog haven't quite got this linking thing down yet. They are very kindly sending folks to my blog to look for my musings on the Rev. Jerry Johnston, but they failed to link to the actual posts.

My first post and longest muse on Jerry Johnston is here.

A second post reviewing the response of the blogosphere, and particularly Christian bloggers is here.

Prime Buzz is an interesting experiment by The Star. It offers lots of detail and costs an arm and a leg. When last I looked that was $375 per year, and no, that's not a typo. However, you can do what I'm doing and sign up for a free 14-day trial. They do NOT require you to put in your credit card to get the free trial.

Kansas: Christian bloggers express outrage over Jerry Johnston's transgressions

By Diane Silver

The blogosphere is jumping into the story about megachurch pastor Jerry Johnston of Johnson County, and it isn't a pretty sight. Most of the harshest commentary is coming from Christian bloggers.

In a series of Kansas City Star stories this weekend, Johnston was shown to be hiding his books, possibly misusing donations and committing a host of other transgressions, both large and small.

First up in my review of the blogosphere is JustCara, who gets the award for being the first blogger to jump on the stories about Johnston. Cara is a tad more secular than the harshest critics, but her blog is interesting because of all the comments folks have posted about Johnston. These include comments from people who claim to be members of his church or former members.

Meanwhile, Johnston is taking the harshest fire from Christian bloggers.

And more fire from Christian bloggers.

A local minister takes Johnston to task and notes:

But I also know that Johnston's philosophy of ministry is polar opposite of my own. In fact, I believe it's opposite of how a minister should act... Jerry’s arrogance was absolutely breath-taking at times. Recently he suggested that such National Christian leaders as Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell were getting “old” and that someone would need to replace them in the forefront of Christianity. You know who he suggested? Himself.

Yet another criticism from a Christian blogger, who write that at the very least Johnston and First Family Church did a terrible job of managing this media crisis.

Another Kansas pastor blogs:

At the risk of sounding smug myself, I would just mention that this Pastor’s downfall could be seen coming “a mile away.” I certainly don't say that gleefully, but rather with a note of sadness.

Tony's Kansas City, a decidedly unChristian blog, takes aim at Johnston and mulls over the place of religion in the metro area.

----------------------------------
Photo Credit: I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist this. The photo is from the web site of the Bott Radio Network, which just dropped Johnston's radio program. The headline on the photo and accompanying story is "Kansas Pastors Meet for Moral Activism Thursday, June 3rd at First Family Church."

Of course the "moral activism" discussed at that meeting had to do with passing a ban on same-sex marriage, so that adults who love each other and are committed to spending their lives together don't get any legal rights. The "morality" of this session also had to do with making it harder for the children in these families to get health care and other benefits, or even have the right to live with the parents who love them.

How very moral of these pastors. Of course, folks that day didn't discuss such basic issues as honesty, integrity and keeping your word, but at least they were "moral."

Kansas: Christian radio network boots anti-gay pastor's program

A leading force in Christian radio -- Bott Radio Network -- has dropped the Rev. Jerry Johnston's 30-minute program in response to a series of damning articles about the anti-gay pastor's financial dealings.

The program was aired Monday through Friday on KCCV-AM 760 and the network's other stations.

Kansas: Lavish lifestyle & questionable finances mark work of anti-gay pastor

By Diane Silver

The Rev. Jerry Johnston -- who climbed to prominence on the backs of Kansas lesbians and gays -- allegedly runs a church with little to no financial accountability and engages in a host of questionable money deals.

Johnston's church, First Family Church in Johnson County, has also shunned involvement in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, which sets financial guidelines for evangelical churches. Meanwhile, many of the members of Johnston's family are in key church positions and Johnston lives a lavish lifestyle even as he preaches Christian sacrifice to his congregation.

And under the category of petty ego, Johnston bills himself as "Dr," even though he never went to graduate school and never received a doctorate. His so-called degree is an honorary one.

All of this information and much more came Sunday from an investigation published by The Kansas City Star. Kudos to reporter Judy L. Thomas for the work and to the Star for publishing this fascinating series of stories.

Johnston, by the way, is one of three pastors who lead the charge to ban same-sex marriage in Kansas. Another one of the three, The Rev. Terry Fox, abruptly resigned from his church in Wichita recently after he was accused of misusing funds.

The KC Star reports that hundreds of members of Johnston's congregation have left because of concerns about money and the way the church is run.

“What he preaches from the pulpit, he doesn’t put into action,” said Bruce Shalberg, who was co-chairman of a fundraiser that he said raised millions of dollars several years ago to pay off the new church building. “You would have to call someone like that a hypocrite.”

This entire series is well worth reading. I have to admit, once again, to being shocked. I never expected to agree with Johnston's politics or his theology, but naively I expected him to at least be honest.

Johnston, of course, says the criticism is instigated by Satan. What makes this group of articles so damning, though, is the number of former church members and evangelicals who see red flags and numerous concerns in the way Johnston does business. These are folks who agree with him in all ways, except that they have a sense of morality that Johnston doesn't seem to come close to understanding.

Once again, I have to admit to being a bit of an innocent. I was honestly surprised to see that Johnston's books and DVDs don't send money to his church, but instead are sold by a company he owns. This is a for-profit business.

I can't even come close here to quoting all the evidence in these articles, but taken together this information appears to be quite damning. For example, I haven't even mentioned the many millions raised for a school that was never opened and the questionable land deal.

All I can say is that it must be heartbreaking to be a member of Johnston's congregation to realize that he's in it for the money.