Luther Seminary is pleased to announce that two internationally known pioneers in new Christian ministries—F. Willis Johnson and Dave Male—will join the faculty this year as visiting instructors.
Johnson and Male will support Luther Seminary’s new initiatives designed to start and develop new ministries, especially ministries to those unfamiliar with “inherited” forms of church.
“Across North America, we see significant need for developing new forms of Christian community,” said Terri Elton, dean of academic affairs and professor of leadership. “In the inaugural year of our Cultivating New Christian Communities fellowship, we are truly delighted that Willis and Dave will be working with us to address these needs in the classroom and on programmatic and institutional levels.”
Johnson, senior minister at Christ Church in Columbus, Ohio, and adjunct professor at Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio, has contributed to TIME Magazine and National Public Radio. He brings a depth of experience with ministries in diverse settings and contexts across the US.
“I’m excited to join Luther Seminary as a visiting instructor, contributing to an institution that shares my values of scholarship and bold exploration of new frontiers in Christian community-building,” Johnson said. “Luther Seminary’s commitment to testing boundaries and cultivating innovative practices mirrors my passion for equipping leaders to envision and embody the church’s future.”
Dave Male, co-director for vision and strategy at the Archbishops Council of the Church of England, helped create one of the first “fresh expressions” in England—Christian communities aimed at 20-40s with no experience of church—and continues to be a leading voice in equipping people for new church expressions in the Church of England.
“I am very excited about this new role with Luther Seminary and am looking forward to working in a creative and innovative environment as we help people start and develop new Christian communities that will make a real Kingdom difference,” Male said.
“Dave Male is one of the world’s leading educators in cultivating creative forms of church that reach people in today’s changing world,” said Dwight Zscheile, vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership.
Both Johnson and Male will help the seminary not only educate ministry entrepreneurs but identify, recruit, and support them well beyond their time at Luther.
“F. Willis Johnson brings both on-the-ground experience in starting new Christian communities and a wealth of teaching ability to help others pursue the dream God has for them,” said Michael Binder, assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership. “Johnson’s expertise in the connection between church and neighborhood is going to be a great asset to our school.”
The one-size, -shape, or -model of church doesn’t fit everyone or every community in today’s world, Elton shared: “We speak instead of what we call a ‘mixed ecology’—of traditional congregations plus innovative, entrepreneurial forms of church, of lay-led and clergy-led ministries co-existing and supporting one another can reach people where they are.”
Elton is particularly glad that Luther Seminary students will have this opportunity to learn from Johnson and Male. “They are in the field and out ahead of us. For students to be engaged with these experienced entrepreneurial leaders is a good thing for the seminary and for the gospel.”