Ph.D. Candidate, St. Johns’ College, University of Nottingham, UK. D.Min., Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA, 1997. M.Div., Church of God School of Theology, Cleveland, TN, 1990. B.A. in Psychology, University of Alabama in Birmingham, 1981.
Dr. Johns teaches courses in theology, ethics, religion and culture, and urban ministries. A major emphasis for him is the integration of theory and practice in Pentecostal context. He has vast experience in practical ministry, serving for 16 years as a Pastor, and about half of his 33 years in ministry have consisted of active involvement in urban ministry efforts. On the academic side he continues his pursuit of knowledge through current research in theological ethics at St. Johns’ College, University of Nottingham, UK. This research will lead to a second doctoral degree: a Ph.D. in Theological Ethics.
Dr. Johns’ wife, Marie, is an elementary school Special Education teacher; his son Tony is an urban pastor and founder/director of the City of Refuge School of Urban Mission in Atlanta, GA; His son Jason is a Physical Education Teacher and a High School wrestling Coach; and his daughter Kelli is an intermediate school language arts teacher.
Dissertation & Thesis
Ph.D.: “Holiness & Power: Toward a Constructive Pentecostal Social Ethic.”
D.Min.: “Spirit Paraclete: The Continuing Presence & Witness of Christ.”
Recent Publications
“A Positional Response to Racism,” in A Positional Response To: Denominationalism, Racism and Socioeconomic Cassism, Cleveland, TN: Bradley Initiative for Church and Community, 2000.
LeeOnline Course Developed:
THE 230 Christian Thought
THE 331 Christian Ethics
Invited Presentations
Urban Mission Lectures, Seminario Sudamericano, Quito, Ecuador, October 2002.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Cleveland/Bradley County Celebration Service, featured Speaker, February 2001.
Panel discussion member on topic: “The Holy Spirit as Liberator,” The Holy Spirit: Liberator of Culture and Community Conference, Chicago, IL (Sponsored by Chicago School of Urban Mission & Trinity International University).
Urban Mission lectures, Chicago School of Urban Mission, Chicago, IL, Summer 1997.
Visiting Professor, Korean Theological Seminary, Seoul, Korea, November 1996.
Theology Lectures, Mount Calvary School of Urban Mission, Pottstown, PA, May 1996.
Professional Experience
Associate Professor, Lee University, 1993-Present
Director of Extension Programs, Lee University, 1993-Present
Urban Ministries Consultant, Richmond Oaks Church of God, Atlanta, GA, 2000-2003
Part-time Faculty Member, Lee University, Fall 1991-Spring 1993
Media Department, Church of God International Headquarters, 1991-1993
Pastor, Church of God, 1973-1987, 1990-1991
Affiliations
Member, Amnesty International
Member, Association for Christian Continuing Education Schools & Seminaries (ACCESS)
Board of Directors, Bradley Initiative for Church & Community
Member, Christian Community Development Association
Member, Evangelicals for Social Action
Member, Pentecostal Charismatic Peace Fellowship
Member, Society for Pentecostal Studies
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers
Church Activities
Ordained Minister, Church of God, Cleveland, TN
Commission on Racial Equality, Cleveland, TN, 2003 – Present
Urban Ministries Consultant, Richmond Oaks Church of God, Atlanta, GA, 2000-2003
Board of Directors, Bradley Initiative for Church & Community
International Advisory Board, Master’s Commission Discipleship Program, (A Ministry of the Church of God), 2001
Board of Directors, Master’s Commission Discipleship Program, 1997-2002
