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#90: Faith and Justice: Lessons from Ferguson with Rev. F. Willis Johnson

Explore the intersection of faith and justice with the Rev. F. Willis Johnson, a pastor who led his church through racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri.

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In this compelling episode of the Pivot Podcast, hosts Dwight Zscheile and Terri Elton welcome the Rev. F. Willis Johnson, who shares his experiences leading a church in Ferguson, Missouri during times of racial unrest. Willis offers a practical guide on how churches can actively engage in justice work, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, local relevance, and concrete action. Listeners will discover how to “hold up their corner” in community transformation and why new expressions of faith are crucial in addressing today’s social challenges.

Willis challenges church leaders to move beyond their comfort zones, embracing curiosity and openness in engaging with diverse communities. He provides insights on reimagining church for the 21st century, where faith and justice are inextricably linked. This episode is essential listening for church leaders, social justice advocates, and anyone seeking to understand how faith communities can effectively contribute to creating a more just and equitable society. Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to put your faith into action in meaningful, community-centered ways.

Resources Mentioned

Featuring

F. Willis Johnson
F. Willis Johnson
Senior Minister, Christ Church, Columbus, Ohio

The Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson is the senior minister for Christ Church in Columbus, Ohio. Previously, he worked as the senior minister for Living Tree Church, also in Columbus, and the executive director of the Center for Social Empowerment in Ferguson, Missouri. He is also a visiting instructor for Luther Seminary.

Johnson authored “Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community,” published by Abingdon Press in 2017. He was the Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement at Drew University’s Theological School, and he presently serves as adjunct faculty at Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio.

Johnson earned his M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary in 2005 and his D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in 2011.

Hosts

Faith+Lead Headshot of The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, VP of Innovation, Luther Seminary.
Dwight Zscheile
Professor of Congregational Mission and Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile is professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He is the author of Embracing the Mixed Ecology (with Blair Pogue, Seabury Books, 2025), Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress Press 2023), Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the U.S. (with Craig Van Gelder, Eerdmans 2018), The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age (Morehouse Publishing, 2014), People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity (Morehouse Publishing, 2012) and The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation (with Craig Van Gelder, Baker Academic 2011), editor of Cultivating Sent Communities: Missional Spiritual Formation (Eerdmans, 2012), and co-editor (with Ed Olsworth-Peter) of The Starter’s Way: Leading New Contextual Christian Communities (Church Publishing, 2025).

A graduate of Stanford University (BA), Yale University (MDiv) and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership), Dwight previously served congregations in Minnesota, Virginia and Connecticut. Dwight’s experience growing up in a secular home in California has shaped his commitment to helping the church cultivate Christian community with neighbors in today’s changing world.

Terri Elton
Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

Elton holds a B.A. degree in communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. (1986). She earned both her M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.

About Pivot Podcast

Join us on Pivot Podcast, where we journey beyond church-as-usual to discover how God is reshaping ministry for today’s world.

Each week, we dive into conversations with innovative leaders and practitioners who are navigating four game-changing pivots: shifting from quick fixes to deep listening, from membership to discipleship, from rigid models to creative ministry ecosystems, and from clergy-centered leadership to unleashing everyone’s gifts.

Whether you’re a member of the clergy seeking fresh inspiration or a volunteer stepping into new leadership territory, Pivot Podcast equips you with the insights and practical wisdom to follow Jesus into a faithful future.

Through their work with diverse cohorts of preachers, they’ve discovered that the most compelling sermons aren’t necessarily the most polished – they’re the ones where preachers have learned to listen deeply to both God and their congregations. Learn practical tools for gathering meaningful feedback, understand why vulnerability matters more than ever in preaching, and discover how shifting from evaluation to understanding can deepen your sermon’s impact. Plus, hear why reimagining God’s agency in preaching might be the key to unlocking more powerful proclamation.

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Featuring

F. Willis Johnson
F. Willis Johnson
Senior Minister, Christ Church, Columbus, Ohio

The Rev. Dr. F. Willis Johnson is the senior minister for Christ Church in Columbus, Ohio. Previously, he worked as the senior minister for Living Tree Church, also in Columbus, and the executive director of the Center for Social Empowerment in Ferguson, Missouri. He is also a visiting instructor for Luther Seminary.

Johnson authored “Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community,” published by Abingdon Press in 2017. He was the Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement at Drew University’s Theological School, and he presently serves as adjunct faculty at Methodist Theological Seminary in Delaware, Ohio.

Johnson earned his M.Div. from Christian Theological Seminary in 2005 and his D.Min. from United Theological Seminary in 2011.

Hosts

Faith+Lead Headshot of The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile, VP of Innovation, Luther Seminary.
Dwight Zscheile
Professor of Congregational Mission and Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Dwight Zscheile is professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He is the author of Embracing the Mixed Ecology (with Blair Pogue, Seabury Books, 2025), Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress Press 2023), Participating in God’s Mission: A Theological Missiology for the U.S. (with Craig Van Gelder, Eerdmans 2018), The Agile Church: Spirit-Led Innovation in an Uncertain Age (Morehouse Publishing, 2014), People of the Way: Renewing Episcopal Identity (Morehouse Publishing, 2012) and The Missional Church in Perspective: Mapping Trends and Shaping the Conversation (with Craig Van Gelder, Baker Academic 2011), editor of Cultivating Sent Communities: Missional Spiritual Formation (Eerdmans, 2012), and co-editor (with Ed Olsworth-Peter) of The Starter’s Way: Leading New Contextual Christian Communities (Church Publishing, 2025).

A graduate of Stanford University (BA), Yale University (MDiv) and Luther Seminary (PhD, Congregational Mission and Leadership), Dwight previously served congregations in Minnesota, Virginia and Connecticut. Dwight’s experience growing up in a secular home in California has shaped his commitment to helping the church cultivate Christian community with neighbors in today’s changing world.

Terri Elton
Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor of Leadership, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

The Rev. Dr. Terri Martinson Elton began teaching at Luther Seminary as an adjunct instructor in 2004 before becoming the director of the Center for Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. In addition to her continued work with the Center, Elton accepted the position of associate professor of Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2010 and associate professor of Leadership in 2014.

Prior to her call to Luther Seminary, Elton served as an associate to the bishop in the Saint Paul Area Synod where her responsibilities included working with congregations, leadership development, First Call theological education and youth and family ministry.

Elton holds a B.A. degree in communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. (1986). She earned both her M.A. (1998) and Ph.D. (2007) degrees in Congregational Mission and Leadership from Luther Seminary.