R. Channing Johnson

Dr. Johnson is a Ph.D. scientist (Cognitive Psychology) with a background in Chemistry and Physics. He is also an Episcopal clergyman for many years. He has been a parish assistant, as well as a prison chaplain (Attica) and a college chaplain (Hobart). Since 1973, he has earned his living as a senior scientist primarily in the areas of Energy and Environment and has contributed his time to churches in transition or trouble.

Dr. Johnson wrote a theological dissertation (STM) on an experimental ministry during the Vietnam upheaval in which he documented the impacts of changes in ministry and in American society on people who welcomed changes and those who deeply rejected them. Most recently, he has authored “Where Have All the Young People Gone” (2012). This book traces changes since 1945 which have produced sharp generational differences and the alienation of the young from congregations of older people. It also identifies detailed ways in which the older might reach out to the younger.

The study guide parallels “Where Have All the Young People Gone” but asks questions that will take the group beyond the book into issues in modern society.

Dr. Johnson and coauthor Nancy Ann McLaughlin, D.Min., have also written the “Evaluation and Planning Manual: A Disciplined Method for Evaluating your Congregation and Planning a Future” for congregations in low growth or a death spiral without young people. These communities may be willing to consider adaptive change in order to reach across the generational barriers and become, once again, a multi-generational congregation.