Leadership
God's mission is carried out through a priesthood of all believers. As Lutherans, we believe that church leadership is shared between our staff and lay leaders.
- St John’s dedicated and active staff includes a senior Pastor, Director of Music, Director of Faith Formation, Church Administrator, and Sexton.
- Equally important is the lay leadership, providing oversight over worship and music, evangelism, outreach, congregational care, learning, property, finance, stewardship, communications and mutual ministry.
Staff
Our staff provides the spiritual and the day-to-day leadership of St. John's. They are central to the mission of our congregation.
Rev. Jennifer Roberts, Pastor
The Rev. Jennifer Roberts was born and raised in East Tennessee where she learned to love Jesus and sweet tea, growing up in the Southern Baptist tradition. At the age of 12 she felt the Spirit begin to call her to ministry and in college discovered the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She received her Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Learning from East Tennessee State University and went on to teach fourth grade while also completing a Masters in Education Degree from Tusculum University. Still sensing a call to ministry, she followed the Spirit to seminary at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina where she earned her Master of Divinity. Pastor Jennifer finds a lot of joy in offering congregational care, teaching Bible study, asking really tough questions, and reminding people God loves them.
Rolando Salazar, Music Director
Julie Van Ooyen Strecker - Children's Faith Formation Teacher
Apart from the part-time role of Faith Formation Teacher at St. John’s, Julie works full-time in higher education administration. Her educational background is in Educational Leadership, Teaching English as a Second Language, and intercultural studies, and she has several years of experience as a classroom teacher. Julie is committed to engaging with the St. John’s community through spiritual practices, forming respectful relationships, and providing opportunities for guided learning and faith-filled service.
Theodore Williams, Children's Faith Formation Assistant
Theodore is a biology student at Georgia State University and volunteers at both his local library and the Georgia Aquarium. He helps children improve their reading skills on Wednesdays at the library and educates people about the animals at the aquarium on the weekend. Theodore has been going to St. John’s for his entire life, and although he no longer attends worship, he remains a beloved friend to many in the church.
Terrilee Pittman, Office Administrator
Clyde Payton, Sexton
Clyde Payton has been the part-time Sexton at St. John's since 1998. His primary role is to keep the sanctuary and mansion clean and prepared for worship and the other activities that take place during the week. He also works as a cosmetologist and a musician. Clyde characterizes St. John's as someplace special because of the friendly and caring people who work and worship in this house of God. In his spare time, he enjoys playing in his band and having fun with family.
Church Council
St. John's Church Council, comprising the pastors, the congregation President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, ministry chairs and at-large members, serves as the governing body of the congregation. The Council meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month; all are welcome to attend.
President
Ian McFarland
The President of the congregation presides at all congregational council meetings and congregational meetings, as well as meetings of the Executive Committee. The President endeavors to coordinate functions, plans and activities of the congregation, and seeks to carry out the expressed will of the congregation and congregational council.
Ian McFarland
The President of the congregation presides at all congregational council meetings and congregational meetings, as well as meetings of the Executive Committee. The President endeavors to coordinate functions, plans and activities of the congregation, and seeks to carry out the expressed will of the congregation and congregational council.
Vice President
Siri Olson
The Vice President performs the duties of the President in their absence and is available for whatever duties the President shall assign to them as the President's representative. The V.P. is also a member of the Executive Committee.
Siri Olson
The Vice President performs the duties of the President in their absence and is available for whatever duties the President shall assign to them as the President's representative. The V.P. is also a member of the Executive Committee.
Secretary
Alcuin Johnson
The Secretary is responsible for taking the minutes at each council meeting and for taking notes at other official functions. They are also a member of the Executive Committee.
Alcuin Johnson
The Secretary is responsible for taking the minutes at each council meeting and for taking notes at other official functions. They are also a member of the Executive Committee.
Worship + Music
Kathy Williams
The Worship & Music Ministry Team is responsible for planning and coordination, in consultation with the pastors, all congregational worship events including special services throughout the church year. The team also provides for the proper care, use and maintenance of the communion ware, the altar furnishings and vestments. The team is responsible for recruiting, supervising and providing training for the lay worship assistants.
Kathy Williams
The Worship & Music Ministry Team is responsible for planning and coordination, in consultation with the pastors, all congregational worship events including special services throughout the church year. The team also provides for the proper care, use and maintenance of the communion ware, the altar furnishings and vestments. The team is responsible for recruiting, supervising and providing training for the lay worship assistants.
Outreach
Bernie Wackenhut
Community service is an integral piece of St. John's identity and mission. Our outreach team organizes and conducts numerous service activities throughout the year and helps support other nonprofit organizations.
Bernie Wackenhut
Community service is an integral piece of St. John's identity and mission. Our outreach team organizes and conducts numerous service activities throughout the year and helps support other nonprofit organizations.
Learning
Jonathan Huber
Theological education is a key part of spiritual formation for all ages. Learning ministry is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting Learning Hour (Sunday school) activities and other educational events.
Jonathan Huber
Theological education is a key part of spiritual formation for all ages. Learning ministry is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting Learning Hour (Sunday school) activities and other educational events.
Treasurer
Karen Flowers
The treasurer reports to finance on income and spending, and is responsible for making sure payments and salaries are made.
Karen Flowers
The treasurer reports to finance on income and spending, and is responsible for making sure payments and salaries are made.
Finance
Paul Arne
Finance ministry is responsible for tracking income and expenditures for the ministry of the whole church. This important work involves the crafting of an annual budget and creating forecasts based on donations and spending.
Paul Arne
Finance ministry is responsible for tracking income and expenditures for the ministry of the whole church. This important work involves the crafting of an annual budget and creating forecasts based on donations and spending.
Financial Secretary
Open
Open
Property
Chris Paton
The Property ministry is responsible for the continued maintenance and repair of the church property, carring out purchases, repairs, or replacement of major church property and equipment, and enlisting work crews for improvements, cleaning, and other projects.
Chris Paton
The Property ministry is responsible for the continued maintenance and repair of the church property, carring out purchases, repairs, or replacement of major church property and equipment, and enlisting work crews for improvements, cleaning, and other projects.
Congregational Care
Adrienne Mather
This team focuses on providing support and care for members of the congregation. This support includes meal trains, visitation, prayer chains, and celebrating the lives and personal ministries of our members.
Adrienne Mather
This team focuses on providing support and care for members of the congregation. This support includes meal trains, visitation, prayer chains, and celebrating the lives and personal ministries of our members.
Communications
Jennifer Arnold
The Communications Ministry reaches the congregation and our communities through media in order to inform, inspire, and invite connection in the life and mission of the Church. Through printed newsletters, bulletins, weekly email blasts, our website, blog, and other media, we help to keep everyone up-to-date on events and encourage participation. We often partner with other ministry teams, providing fundamental support to their efforts by facilitating effective communication.
Jennifer Arnold
The Communications Ministry reaches the congregation and our communities through media in order to inform, inspire, and invite connection in the life and mission of the Church. Through printed newsletters, bulletins, weekly email blasts, our website, blog, and other media, we help to keep everyone up-to-date on events and encourage participation. We often partner with other ministry teams, providing fundamental support to their efforts by facilitating effective communication.
Evangelism
Rev. Patti Axel
The Evangelism ministry seeks to foster a climate of evangelism that encourages congregation members informally and spontaneously to share Christ with one another and those outside the church. They are responsible for a friendly personal welcome of visitors and for equipping congregation members for witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ in daily living.
Rev. Patti Axel
The Evangelism ministry seeks to foster a climate of evangelism that encourages congregation members informally and spontaneously to share Christ with one another and those outside the church. They are responsible for a friendly personal welcome of visitors and for equipping congregation members for witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ in daily living.
At-Large Council Member
Barbara Arne
An at-large council representative in a church serves as a representative of the entire congregation to the church council. This means they are elected or appointed to represent the church community as a whole, rather than a specific subset or district within the church. They actively participate in council meetings, providing input on key decisions and contributing to discussions relevant to the church's mission and objectives.
Barbara Arne
An at-large council representative in a church serves as a representative of the entire congregation to the church council. This means they are elected or appointed to represent the church community as a whole, rather than a specific subset or district within the church. They actively participate in council meetings, providing input on key decisions and contributing to discussions relevant to the church's mission and objectives.
