The Next Jerry Falwell?

[ck4829]

The Kansas City Star has recently run a series of articles profiling Jerry Johnston, pastor of the First Family megachurch in Overland Park, Kansas, who apparently sees himself as the next Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson:

"Today, Johnston has gained national prominence through his tough talk on homosexuality, abortion and what he views as wimpy pastors who won’t take strong stands on social issues. His positions have earned him appearances on “The Today Show” and “The O’Reilly Factor.”

Those positions have prompted Johnston to use volunteer bodyguards for personal protection, as well as for church security.

Indeed, Johnston envisions himself becoming one of America’s foremost religious leaders.

“Guess what?” he asked his congregation after rattling off the names of evangelists such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson in a 2005 sermon. “Those men are getting old. Really old."

...

Considering that Johnston sees himself as heir to the Robertson/Fallwell political empire, the series run by the Kansas City Star probably has been particularly helpful:

First Family payroll includes several Johnston family members

The Rev. Jerry Johnston’s church is a family affair.

Johnston is the senior pastor. His wife, Christie, is “Director of Open Arms & Chesalon Comfort Circles.” Their son, Jeremy, 25, is executive pastor and chief operating officer of media. A son-in-law, Christian Newsome, 29, is associate pastor of family and youth. Their daughter, Danielle Newsome, 27 — Christian’s wife — is contemporary worship leader. Another son-in-law, Luke Cunningham, 21, is pastor of youth ministry for preteen boys, and Luke’s wife, Jenilee Cunningham — the Johnstons’ 21-year-old daughter who married Luke in April — is in charge of youth ministry for girls. Jerry Johnston’s mother, Joyce, is one of the church’s executive secretaries.

John Vaughan, a national expert on megachurches, estimated that fewer than 5 percent had family members on their payrolls.

Dan Busby, vice president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, said that the group had no policy on nepotism but that having numerous family members on staff did raise some red flags.

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/34719.html

Lavish lifestyles at odds with pastor’s calls for the faithful to sacrifice

Expensive trips. New homes. An elite credit card.

The lifestyle of the Rev. Jerry Johnston’s family has raised eyebrows among former members of First Family Church.

“Everything is extravagant,” said Melisa Gingrich, who left the church last year. “That’s the way the Johnstons live.”

Johnston and the church board will not reveal his compensation, nor how much he makes from his for-profit corporation that handles his books, videos and speaking engagements.

The Johnstons go on several “Christian tours” each year. Last year, Jerry and Christie Johnston went to Hawaii, the Holy Land and Rome. Last month, the Johnstons spent six days in Hawaii. They plan to visit England in May and Germany in July.

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/35025.html

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2007/05/the_next_jerry.html#more

[hobbit709]

1. Not a one of these self-styled Christians

would give Jesus the time of day nor recognize him if they saw him on the street. With all these trips how does find time to preach is the real question.

[rpannier]

2. I don't know about that

I plan on moving back to the states and start my own church.

I'm not going to just be Reverend...I'm going to be The Right Reverend...

I'll rail against the excesses of homosexuality, while have several lurid affairs with gay prostitutes.
I'll preach against people's obsesssion with worldly things from my pulpit in my 10,000,000 dollar cathedral. Then I'll go home to my 36,000 sq ft mansion on my 20 acre estate and take a dip in my olympic size pool.
I'll keep reminding them that Jesus loves them. Well...them being...my followers. That Jesus hates anyone who doesn't follow me and is going to throw them in a pit of eternal fire. (By the way. Does anyone know how Satan keeps that thing burning? I'm guessing he's destroyed a few rainforests over the years)
I'll preach to them that God has told me the rapture is coming soon, but I won't give a specific date. I mean, God is such a busy guy, between judging all those souls and his bocci ball league he can't be bothered with details.
And lastly, I'll claim to be his final profit...errr...prophet. The one true prof...prophet of God.