Throughout the 2011 General Assembly, one word seemed to emerge over and over again: Vision. The Record asked the nominees for moderator of the 2012 assembly to introduce themselves and reflect on their visions for the future of the church…
In his 25 years in ordained ministry, Rev. Dr. Andrew Johnston has served two congregations and many boards and committees. He is currently minister at St. Andrew’s, Ottawa, convener of the Norman M. Paterson Fund for Ministerial Assistance, a member of the board of governors for the Presbyterian College, Montreal, and a member of the board of the ecumenical social justice group Kairos. He has also convened the Presbyterian World Service and Development committee and served as president of the Christian Council of the Capital Area, not to mention serving a few terms as presbytery moderator. In 2007, Presbyterian College awarded him an honourary doctorate of divinity.
How did you come to follow a call to ministry? What has kept you going?
From my earliest years the gospel was planted within me, and I thank God for my parents and my church families. I grew into a personal commitment to serve God, but spent several years wondering how. I have always appreciated the Reformation emphasis upon vocation in every and any field of endeavour, but it does leave the options wide open! With the detachment of some time spent studying overseas, I realised that perhaps God could better use me in the church—no blinding flash of light, but an unfolding understanding … and affirmation.
What would you say your passion is when it comes to the church and/or faith?
By my study I have a copy of Raeburn’s painting of the Rev. Robert Walker skating—he may be having fun, but he certainly doesn’t communicate it. Like the Presbyterian minister of old, I don’t often speak about ‘passion,’ so I appreciate your challenge!
Upon reflection, I would say that I am most passionate about living the gospel we know in Jesus Christ. This is a generation that asks not ‘Tell me about the resurrection’ but rather ‘Show me the resurrection,’ and I think the challenge is right on. One could say that Christian faith is not real unless it can be spoken and seen.
I feel passion during the Wednesday evening series in autumn and winter at St. Andrew’s, Ottawa, when eighty individuals gather around four different study themes, exploring, sharing and yes debating. I feel passion when a team from the congregation brings a meal once a month and eats with women in their assisted living home or dedicates a day to caring for the grounds and garden of a local HIV/AIDS hospice, making real the care of Christ through their caring. I feel passion when we dedicate our weekly tithes and offerings not only to the ministry of Christ through our congregations, but through the wider church and works of relief and development around the world.
Have you thought about a particular theme or issue to focus on, if elected as moderator?
No I have not.
But a theme that is coming to the fore in my own mind and heart these days is ‘together.’ Not only together with Christ, but together in Christ.
I feel that there are powers working to rule this world by shaping us by fear and threatening us with scarcity, encouraging us to withdraw, to rely upon ourselves and care for our own. And so all the more clearly these days I hear the gospel proclamation that by God’s grace there is abundance, and we know this abundance as we share it.
As individual Christians we struggle with the dynamics of membership in a particular congregation, all the demands and all the disappointments, but I believe it is together in Christ that we learn spiritual disciplines like patience and sacrifice and experience spiritual joys like forgiveness and hope.
As individual congregations we struggle with issues of budgets and leadership, but I believe it is together in Christ as a denomination that we become stronger together than we ever could be apart. Our diverse contexts and priorities and even theologies actually keep us mindful of matters foundational and also open to new inspiration.
As individual Christian denominations in Canada we struggle, but I believe it is together in Christ that we could be much more the Church of Christ. Sometimes there are groups of school children who gather outside St. Andrew’s Ottawa – they are on a scavenger hunt, and must answer the question ‘Of what religion is the building across from the Supreme Court?’ And I realise that there is nothing that even says ‘Christian’ on the church sign! Wouldn’t it be a great witness to others (and a great reminder to ourselves) if every church of every denomination in the city had the same overarching phrase ‘Church of Christ in Ottawa’ with ‘Presbyterian’ or ‘Roman Catholic’ or ‘Mennonite’ only added after?
And as the Church of Christ in Canada it is hard to grow into the reality of being a minority, but I believe together in Christ with Christians around the world we have an opportunity to enjoy a new beginning. Christianity is the largest faith in the world, the churches of our partners in South America, Africa and Asia are alive in witness and service, and they offer us a great company of encouragement and example.
As individuals in congregations, as congregations in denomination, as denominations in a nation, as branches of the global Church … we need to resist being led into isolation, trust again in the grace and calling of our God, and find ways to be more fully together in Christ.
There has been a lot of talk about vision and the future of the church. What is your vision for the future?
To be quite honest, I am not a very ‘visionary’ sort of person as far as ‘the church’ is concerned. There are some things that I personally leave in God’s hands, and this is one of them. In every generation God raises up a people of God’s praise and service, and my primary concern is to participate in such praise and service as fully as I can in my generation.
The vision upon which I do focus is the Reign of God, as described by and lived by Christ, in which mercy is extended, illness healed, wars banished, justice worked. I remember hearing a saying that went something like ‘Hope is a bird that feels the dawn while it is still dark, and starts to sing’. It is an inspiring vision to think of the church as that bird, singing of the dawn in the darkness, not only from pews on Sunday mornings but also by gestures for all to hear and see that point to the Kingdom of God that is coming. It is not up to us to achieve it, only celebrate it; we are not called to be successful, only faithful.
I understand that such ‘singing’ can be costly. From my father I learned how individual Presbyterians and this denomination as a whole participated in the shaping of our nation of Canada for the common good. From my mother I learned how certain Christians of her homeland of Germany gathered together secretly and often at great cost as the Confessing Church, to confess Christ as their only ruler and oppose the government of their day. Extending mercy, speaking truth, standing publicly for justice for others and respect of this earth as God’s creation, this can be costly, but to God it is beautiful. This is my vision of the church.
