Meet John Gullett

John Gullett (MDiv '02) currently serves at New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, PA. At the time of this interview he was the pastor of Christ Community Church in Johnson City, TN. He and his wife Beverly have two children, Sam (6) and Maggie (6).

JOHN, TALK ABOUT THE MOST REWARDING MINISTRY POSITION YOU HAVE HELD.

John: Being the church planter for Christ Community Church has been and continues to be incredibly rewarding. As lives are changed by the gospel I often feel like Mary running from the tomb saying, “I have seen the Lord.” One recent newcomer wrote me and said, "Everything means so much more to me there somehow. The people even seem genuine. I know that every church has people that attend religiously, but all I know is that when I am at Christ Church, I feel like I can breathe—and I am free and I am so clean in the midst of my muddy offering. I think God is doing something in my heart and I think I like it. Maybe this is what it feels like to have a relationship with God and I thought I knew him before.”

WHAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED SINCE GRADUATION?

John: It’s hard to pick just one. I guess I would say that the single greatest lesson I have learned since graduation is that Jesus is really alive. I know that may sound silly, but I think it is very easy to work in and for the church and forget that the reason for everything we do is that Jesus is really risen from the dead, flesh and blood alive. I am constantly tempted to drift back into focusing on numbers, finances, programs, who’s coming into the church, who’s leaving the church and why, who’s disappointed in me this week, or frustrated or angry, and the list goes on and on. Without regular and almost constant focus on the finished work of Christ, the cross and the empty tomb, I will focus on anything and everything else. And, not surprisingly, everyone else I meet struggles with exactly the same thing. So I am still learning, and I’m sure I’ll spend the rest of my life learning, how to focus on the reality that Jesus is alive and at work today and how this shapes everything I am and everything I do.

WERE THERE CERTAIN FACULTY WHO WERE KEY IN YOUR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT DURING YOUR SEMINARY AND POST-SEMINARY YEARS?

John: I have often said that Covenant Theology with Mike Williams, Apologetics and Outreach with Jerram Barrs, and God’s World Mission with Nelson Jennings were three courses that changed my life. But the influence of Chapell, Collins, Calhoun, and all of the others was key as well. I would almost say that it was the team of faculty as a whole that was key to my spiritual development during those years.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE PAID MORE ATTENTION TO WHILE IN SEMINARY?

John: Honestly, I would have asked pastors about their life between Sundays. There are innumerable things you could do with your time during the week. How do you decide what is best and most important for you to do? What do you read, how much, and how broadly? How many teaching preparations do you do each week, and how much time do you spend on each one of them? How many people do you meet with during a given week? Where do you do your work and why? How do you meet people in the community? With whom do you talk and correspond to maintain your own sanity and spiritual health? How many people do you personally disciple, and what do those relationships look like?

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TRAINING FOR VOCATIONAL MINISTRY?

John: I would continually encourage them to ask and answer these questions: First, is Jesus risen from the dead, flesh and blood alive today or not? He is, and you must orient your life and your work around this reality. Second, are you willing to sacrifice for your King? That sacrifice might be in the form of a job, or your reputation, or the approval of others, or even the salary you think you deserve. (Hint: refer to the first question.) Finally, will you continue to act with confidence, depending on Jesus, even when you feel weak and broken? (Hint: refer to the first question)

JOHN, ARE THERE BOOKS THAT YOU WOULD SAY ARE ESSENTIAL IN YOUR MINISTRY AS A PASTOR?

John: Yes. I recommend that future pastors read Dynamics of Spiritual Life by Richard Lovelace; Practicing the Presence of People, by Mike Mason; The Inner Ring and Three Kinds of Men, by C.S. Lewis; Under the Unpredictable Plant and The Contemplative Pastor, by Eugene Peterson; Preaching to the Heart (audio lectures) by Tim Keller; The Reason for God and The Prodigal God also by Tim Keller; Surprised by Hope, by N.T. Wright; The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene; and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.