I served as Tom Johnson's vicarage supervisor (2003-2004) in his pursuit to be an LCMS pastor. In assigning him to me, the then director of vicarage at CTSFW shared that Tom had been ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America, that all indications showed that he was embracing confessional Lutheranism and that now the seminary would see how this all played out during his vicarage year. Let me say that among the fifteen vicars I had the joy of helping to form, there were two that I felt uneasy about, but in both cases, nothing which rose to the level of raising a red flag. Tom Johnson was one of them. Unfortunately, in the final evaluation form which vicarage supervisors filled out, there was not an "Option X" noting that this student seemed to "check all the boxes", but still there is a gut feeling and concern about his true allegiance to our doctrine and faith.
A number of years ago, I was contacted by my district president telling me that Tom had come to him upset with the way I had treated him on vicarage, that I did not respect the fact that he was ordained and act toward him accordingly. I simply shared with the DP that I treated Tom the same way I have treated all my vicars - with love and respect - but there was no getting around the fact that he was a vicar and there to learn, to be guided, mentored, supported and when needed, corrected.
Nothing that has transpired in Tom Johnson's personal and professional life surprises me. One thing I believe he is not, a victim. I pray for him.
I was actually confirmed by Pastor Tom (as he went by) but honestly did most of the catechesis on my own (and ended up way far on the opposite end of the spectrum from him). But the way he told his conversion to Lutheranism was that one day he was “consecrating” the communion elements and while he held up the bread, he realized, wait this is ACTUALLY Jesus body. So I think there is some sincerity there. But as far as I know he has always served at congregations that would be considered “Liturgical Left” including the church where I was confirmed in Chicago. So it tracks that he continued towards that end of the spectrum and eventually fell off the end of it and landed in the ELCA.
I associate this kind of nonsense with older men who went to seminary pre walk out. Has this spread to younger pastors? If it's just the elderly pastors it will die out.
I served as Tom Johnson's vicarage supervisor (2003-2004) in his pursuit to be an LCMS pastor. In assigning him to me, the then director of vicarage at CTSFW shared that Tom had been ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America, that all indications showed that he was embracing confessional Lutheranism and that now the seminary would see how this all played out during his vicarage year. Let me say that among the fifteen vicars I had the joy of helping to form, there were two that I felt uneasy about, but in both cases, nothing which rose to the level of raising a red flag. Tom Johnson was one of them. Unfortunately, in the final evaluation form which vicarage supervisors filled out, there was not an "Option X" noting that this student seemed to "check all the boxes", but still there is a gut feeling and concern about his true allegiance to our doctrine and faith.
A number of years ago, I was contacted by my district president telling me that Tom had come to him upset with the way I had treated him on vicarage, that I did not respect the fact that he was ordained and act toward him accordingly. I simply shared with the DP that I treated Tom the same way I have treated all my vicars - with love and respect - but there was no getting around the fact that he was a vicar and there to learn, to be guided, mentored, supported and when needed, corrected.
Nothing that has transpired in Tom Johnson's personal and professional life surprises me. One thing I believe he is not, a victim. I pray for him.
The Rev. Mark H. Hein, pastor emeritus
Thank you for sharing that Pr. Hein, and thank you for your diligence in supervising the vicars under your care.
Did Johnson ever do the Matt 18 thing directly with you regarding his upset?
No. Which speaks volumes about his supposed desire to focus on the love of Christ.
I bet there is a story about what led to his disaffection with the PCA.
I was actually confirmed by Pastor Tom (as he went by) but honestly did most of the catechesis on my own (and ended up way far on the opposite end of the spectrum from him). But the way he told his conversion to Lutheranism was that one day he was “consecrating” the communion elements and while he held up the bread, he realized, wait this is ACTUALLY Jesus body. So I think there is some sincerity there. But as far as I know he has always served at congregations that would be considered “Liturgical Left” including the church where I was confirmed in Chicago. So it tracks that he continued towards that end of the spectrum and eventually fell off the end of it and landed in the ELCA.
I associate this kind of nonsense with older men who went to seminary pre walk out. Has this spread to younger pastors? If it's just the elderly pastors it will die out.