tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59177505100181182762011-07-08T05:21:08.934-04:00A blog by Elder Todd Johnson. Here you'll find various Biblical topics, Christian perspective on current events, updates on the happenings at my church (Agape Assembly), and other random thoughts. www.agapeassembly.comTJnoreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-80009108385270033362010-01-08T08:37:00.004-05:002010-01-12T15:03:01.569-05:00

Hopefully, this will be brief. I'm going to take a break from agape speaks. All the posts will remain online for reading and comments and I may periodically provide some updates on happenings at Agape, but as of today, I'll begin a new, personal blog (more of a journal) at a private web address. I understand that keeping up a blog connected to my home church has certain limitations, and I feel

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-39069673008556942212009-12-29T09:16:00.014-05:002010-01-05T10:12:34.077-05:00

Check out the last collection of ministry observations through my various Facebook status updates in 2009. The theme for this post is "Cooperation & Conflict" "If your criticism is truly "constructive" then it should actually BUILD something besides your own point of view." <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-24684083380180954592009-12-29T09:08:00.007-05:002009-12-30T09:52:33.843-05:00

Check out the second set of ministry observations revealed in 2009 through my various Facebook status updates. Theme for this post is "Calling & Commitment". "Every so often, we all should take an assessment of ourselves and seek God to discover if we are doing what He's called us to do, where He's called us to do it." <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-43294720887047443942009-12-29T09:03:00.019-05:002009-12-30T09:53:47.288-05:00

With 2009 drawing to a close, I think it's a good time to share some ministry observations I've revealed over the past year in the form of status updates posted on my Facebook profile. This post is the first of 3 and its theme is "Vision and Progress". <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal,

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-64029099535028505902009-12-02T11:19:00.009-05:002009-12-02T13:53:08.376-05:00

John 13:12-17 (NIV)12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-67681269456955375562009-11-10T09:22:00.009-05:002009-11-20T12:33:46.264-05:00

Part One dealt with the basic principles of Tithes & Offering and perspective on the many games and gimmicks prevalent in the Church today. But, there several misconceptions concerning tithing and in Part Two, I'll take a look at a few of those while reserving commentary on the collection and use of offerings for Part Three.The Command to GiveMake no mistake, giving is not just a recommendation

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-19429853021532036232009-11-10T08:25:00.013-05:002009-11-10T09:47:20.486-05:00

I can't think of a more uncomfortable subject to approach in the Church than that of giving. Throughout scripture, God's commands to his people concerning giving are unequivocally clear, yet by many abuses, misunderstandings, and false assumptions we've turned a glorious form of worship into an affair that is tedious at best and scandalous at worst. So Part I will deal with the biblical

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-20608548589141484452009-10-07T10:03:00.001-04:002009-10-07T10:03:56.683-04:00

Whatever happened to Reverence in our worship? Honor, respect, awe, and sincerity in the House of the Lord? They've all been laid waste.Somebody killed Reverence. I think WE Did. I present my case:The Evidence:A quick scan of a sanctuary at any time of a typical worship service and you will likely discover a disturbing display of congregants noticeably whispering (or talking), pointing, winking,

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-86203411190144509032009-09-18T15:03:00.006-04:002009-09-18T15:52:05.727-04:00

In this posting, I hope to get some feedback from those of you from the baby boomer era and beyond. As a musician and even sometimes (clean) DJ, I find myself engaged in conversations with Christians mostly of older generations who wax on the merits of "real music" from the days of their youth that was "clean, wholesome, and said something". I frequently hear statements such as: "when we were out

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-26858372785471786932009-09-03T10:22:00.004-04:002009-09-03T11:03:59.828-04:00

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post, but much has transpired and the continuance of this subject required much prayer. So let's get to it!So what is confession? According to the Bible, it comes in 2 forms: a) A sincere, simple statement of faith in Christ Jesus (I Corinthians 12:3), b) An open admittance of one's sins to others in the faith with the desire to be received

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-38227668968981915642009-07-23T10:23:00.009-04:002009-07-23T11:00:25.541-04:00

What happened to confession? Confession is the prerequisite of repentance, yet it has been corrupted, misplaced, pigeon-holed, and ultimately abandoned. The fact is, despite our honest and sincere faith in the Risen Savior, we ALL endure daily struggles with our own sin. But we all too readily ignore the Bible's relational prescription for our failings in vain attempts to maintain a false sense

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-51783596329288135172009-07-10T10:23:00.000-04:002009-07-10T10:24:46.084-04:00

The Agape Summer Recreation Program is featured in the Community Section of the Tribune Chronicle. Check out the article at http://tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/524496.html?nav=5005The Agape Education & Development Center's 3rd year of Summer Recreation for area youth is in full swing. The center is open daily from 10am - 3pm with on site activities such as: basketball, football,

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-65734525030407176032009-07-02T10:51:00.012-04:002009-07-02T15:14:30.218-04:00

Why don't more Christians adopt? For all the Biblical arguments, lobbying, debate points, and protests of Pro-Life Christians, something is missing. Those you would think to be the primary subjects of the abortion issue are oftentimes strangely omitted from the discussion. The Kids. Certainly the legal and ethical question of abortion is a messy one with many variables to consider. But there is

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-87921289159799986132009-06-29T16:23:00.004-04:002009-06-29T16:26:44.015-04:00

For those who missed it, "Praise Riot II" was BLAZIN'!!! I'm so proud of the Agape Youth and all the churches and groups that represented. A quick recap:Our own Sis. Alysha did an awesome drama of the woman at the well. The Agape Young Flaggers showed out, and the Agape Dance ministry was wonderful, not to mention the ultimate "hype man" Bro. Jarquis!St. Paul presented a dance to "Seasons", Bro.

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-60037848654855901152009-06-09T08:36:00.012-04:002009-06-09T16:51:47.230-04:00

The Word of God seems pretty clear in its stance on alcohol consumption. It speaks plainly of the sin of drunkenness and its consequences, but also describes the moderate use of alcohol as acceptable. The Pentecostal tradition I'm familiar with has vilified any and all consumption with alcohol, and actually that was more a product of the cultural climate of the early 1900's that gave rise to

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-13018500680977975412009-06-01T09:36:00.005-04:002009-06-01T10:53:11.969-04:00

May 31st was Pentecost Sunday. A day regarded as the "birthday" of the Church, a commemoration of one of the most important events in Christendom, a great day of celebration in churches across the globe....except for most Pentecostal Churches. How can that be so? How is it that congregations who proudly display the banner of Pentecostal, Full Gospel, Charismatic, or any other label that

TJnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-90461836490357130482009-05-28T14:29:00.003-04:002009-05-28T14:34:31.630-04:00

Agape launched a Facebook.com page last week and already, over 50 people have joined, most of which do not attend our church! This can be a great outreach tool to a new generation who communicate mostly online, not to mention, a way to promote Agape events to thousands of people for FREE!Please consider visiting http://www.facebook.com/, creating a Facebook profile, and joining the Agape

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-66955596560804771672009-05-13T14:56:00.005-04:002009-05-21T08:28:51.730-04:00

Discipleship is a lot like parenting. It involves teaching, showing example, correcting, and encouraging individuals from a state of near complete dependency to guided independence. I don't see a difference between the growing perception that parents have abandoned their responsibilities to raise their own children and the belief that the Church has drifted from the proven model of Biblical

TJnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-24517254695125620862009-05-13T14:22:00.009-04:002009-05-13T15:13:46.051-04:00

Biblically speaking, salvation is both prerequisite and synonymous with Church membership. When one became a believer in the days of the Apostles, there was no such thing as joining a particular congregation, or searching for a "church home". The person would enter into fellowship with those who either led him into salvation or received him after his announcement of conversion. This was almost

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-25917669269583654202009-05-06T08:28:00.018-04:002009-06-09T09:52:42.858-04:00

If there is one Biblical concept that we simply cannot identify with, it is persecution. We have virtually no experience with any violent or even hostile reaction to our faith. So we just don't understand what would cause devoted a follower like Simon Peter to deny even knowing Jesus or how the disciples could remain in hiding, even after learning first hand of Christ's resurrection. The

TJnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-41570685233229846392009-04-30T22:52:00.003-04:002009-04-30T22:54:37.289-04:00

Well, I'm going to make some minor adjustments to the Church's website homepage. I never noticed how large the type font was compared to other modern websites. Let me know what you think.elder todd

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-64236731884269219452009-04-28T08:20:00.011-04:002009-04-28T14:13:18.487-04:00

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.The Great Commission couldn't be any simpler. Christians are given clear, concise instructions both on what: Go.

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-56393915432036773422009-04-23T15:01:00.007-04:002009-04-23T15:49:53.854-04:00

My mother regularly listens to a Christian radio station as she drives. This afternoon she was enjoying some contemporary Christian music, when she stopped by a store. When she got back in the car to drive home, the station was running commercials. Then the music started again. The song was upbeat, energetic, and lively. She wasn't really listening and didn't notice anything wrong until the lead

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-35709204145603171952009-04-21T14:32:00.011-04:002009-04-21T16:22:32.736-04:00

I've found that the hardest thing about ministry is getting people to actually DO IT! Here's a strange paradox: The more that some people talk about doing ministry, the harder it is to get them to do ministry. It's almost like they feel some sense of accomplishment in developing some type of vision or idea whether God-given or not, to the point that the execution of that vision is all but an

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-51946407006663005712009-04-06T12:48:00.008-04:002009-04-06T13:14:08.093-04:00

The Easter Story is so familiar it hardly needs retelling. But going further than just knowing the story is identifying with it. All of us can relate somewhat to the ups and downs of Jesus' final week before His death, though of course, NONE of us can claim to have endured anywhere near the suffering He did. Perhaps your life feels like Good Friday, the day of suffering and crucifixion. (or

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-13709937627686785792009-03-25T09:41:00.008-04:002009-03-25T10:10:34.229-04:00

I had spent the better part of 2008 comparing the effectiveness of our two primary teaching vehicles: Sunday School & Bible Study. I sought to distinguish Bible Study from Sunday School while at the same time, providing an atmosphere more conducive to learning and retaining Biblical knowledge. So in January, I introduced a new Bible Study format that was more of a lecture style, focusing on 3-4

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-75574950282331265842009-03-16T15:27:00.003-04:002009-03-19T11:23:03.861-04:00

Luke 22:24 "And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest." What a scene it must have been to witness the bickering and debates of supremacy amongst the disciples as Jesus shared his last meal with them before He would give Himself to be hung on the cross. Today the debate often still rages, though in ever evolving distinctions. Most modern disciples

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-70096458747981728612009-03-09T13:29:00.007-04:002009-03-10T10:02:46.836-04:00

Romans 10:17 (KJV) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."Welcome to the 21st Century! This new era presents the Church with countless means of reaching the saved and the unsaved alike with the message of redemption, encouragement, love, and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ. For centuries there were only two basic ways of communicating the Gospel, by word of

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-20269528296885959692009-03-06T07:56:00.013-05:002009-03-06T10:53:36.490-05:00

What should churches do when ministry programs fizzle again and again? When fellowships have little or no participation? How does a ministry deal when it struggles to gather volunteers for outreach efforts? How can we remedy vast inconsistencies in attendance? How does leadership address growing cynicism, destructive criticism with no constructive ideas offered, and if ideas are given, a refusal

TJnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-61628066492733939512009-03-02T10:03:00.015-05:002009-03-06T11:04:50.117-05:00

I'm a firm believer that if you want to be better at something, be it sports, music, art, a career, and even ministry, you should look at someone who is succeeding in that area, if nothing more than for inspiration and encouragement. That was the gist of the old "I want to be Like Mike" Gatorade ads from my childhood, where dozens of kids sang of their desire to play basketball as well as Michael

TJnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-52530060960432605432009-02-26T14:05:00.017-05:002009-02-27T09:11:04.019-05:00

The Bible says "The love of money is the root of all evil." This is often misquoted, somehow making money itself evil, but we know this to be untrue. But I'd be hard-pressed to find a subject so widely varied in it's views than the Church's teaching on money. The issues are confused and sometimes contradicting. This often leaves believers and non-believers alike in a stupor, causing most

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-70531966190678343122009-02-25T09:30:00.007-05:002009-02-25T14:33:59.079-05:00

"Ain't no harm done, calling on Jesus...... calling on the name of the Lord.""There's storm out on the ocean, and it's moving this old way, if your soul's not anchored in Jesus, you will surely drift away""What do you want the Lord to say?.......'Well done, good and faithful servant.' That's what I want the Lord to say!"Sound familiar? Maybe. Maybe not.Those aren't just verses, they're a way of

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-33683374514982586572009-02-23T10:39:00.011-05:002009-02-23T11:56:19.110-05:00

I'm not afraid to admit, we had a pretty dry worship service yesterday. It happens from time to time no matter how talented the musicians, how gifted the singers, how uplifting the song lyrics, and how high-powered the sound system. But here's my gripe: Whether the service is "on" or "poppin" (or whatever the kids call it these days) or not, we can still enjoy and appreciate the gifts of those

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-72297770957928246922009-02-17T10:04:00.006-05:002009-02-17T10:56:21.867-05:00

I think it's time. It's probably been about 50 years since most established churches, denominations, or traditions have taken a good look at how their ministry schedules either enhance or detract from the mission of the Church. Despite our traditions, meetings and service times are actually Biblically inconsequential and should be scheduled and designed with the needs of members and those we

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-24753018744568506152009-02-08T23:19:00.006-05:002009-02-09T01:18:14.993-05:00

Ok, I get the impression that some of my posts are kind of long and tedious to read. So here goes with a more concise collection of random thoughts from this past Sunday.I preached a sermon this Sunday entitled "Let the Church Say Amen!" and no, it wasn't a lame attempt to get more people to shout "Amen" during my sermons.I realize that for a young, unskilled preacher such as myself, having an

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-69339290685292569562009-02-02T10:45:00.007-05:002009-02-02T15:27:08.679-05:00

Missions is the calling to take the Gospel to the world, especially those least exposed to Christianity. It doesn't have to necessarily be overseas, as there are increasing numbers of people even in America who have had no personal exposure to the Gospel.But how often do you hear songs expressing a desire to grow one's relationship with God for the purpose of developing a more sincere heart for

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-68502057375824026752009-02-02T08:52:00.011-05:002009-02-09T15:00:21.203-05:00

Part 2 furthers the discussion on the incorporation of the church by simply asking "Says who?". So many things have become like religious dogma to us, when really, they're just tradition. Good and helpful traditions? Many times, yes, but nothing more. This perspective is vital to the natural growth of the church and assurance that are faith does not become sterile by clinging more familiar

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-60264196338086616822009-01-23T10:10:00.006-05:002009-01-24T00:23:51.563-05:00

All indicators, both statistically and through observation, show an overall decline in Christian churches in America. It seems that too many ministries are just simply ineffective. What's to blame? Breakdown of families that once were the pillars of community churches? Outdated methods of worship? The spread of moral relativism? The scandals that cause scores to fall away from the faith? All of

TJnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-50944033921373096172009-01-15T14:52:00.009-05:002009-02-03T14:55:41.962-05:00

cli- ché [klee-shey] – noun 1. a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox. 2. (in art, literature, drama, etc.) a trite or hackneyed plot, character development, use of color, musical expression, etc.3. anything that has

TJnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-16504863470842349462009-01-13T09:20:00.006-05:002009-02-02T11:08:30.129-05:00

This past Sunday, our church held its first Baptism Service of 2009. Now I was baptized as a young Christian and I've seen my father, Pastor George Johnson, Sr., perform dozens of such services. But as we made preparations for this recent service, I found myself suddenly struck by the sheer magnitude of what it means to be Baptized. To watch my father leading believers to the water just like

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-6634562208359166782009-01-10T11:02:00.002-05:002009-01-10T11:10:03.986-05:00

Glad to hear that a few people would like to subscribe to agape speaks, but don't know how. All you have to do is click " follow this blog" or visit www.blogger.com and sign up with an existing email address and a password you create. You can then choose a display/user name and voila! you're in! (you'll probably get an email from google to confirm your email)Once you're signed in just come back

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-61427944456379013162009-01-09T19:41:00.004-05:002009-01-09T20:25:34.594-05:00

Christmas has passed, the bell ringers have packed up their red buckets, most churches and shelters have served the last of their community dinners, and that wonderful feeling of generosity and goodwill towards men seems to have been packed away with the lights and garland.But lest we forget, there are still scores of needy people all around us, families are still struggling in these, the worst

TJnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917750510018118276.post-68370784930434560542009-01-09T00:18:00.001-05:002009-02-02T11:08:51.614-05:00

This is the inaugural posting of agape speaks. This is my first attempt at managing a blog, and I'm sure it will take some time to build an audience. Hopefully, you'll find my posts interesting as I sound off on current events, Biblical topics, and share some thoughts on the goings on at my home church, Agape Assembly Church (www.agapeassembly.com).So let's get going!elder todd

TJnoreply@blogger.com1