A VISION FOR
THE FUTURE
BUILDING UPON The Legacy of Johnson Ferry
IN 2022,
Pastor Clay revealed a new Mission Statement and cast vision for Johnson Ferry centered around the Great Commission. The Mission Statement: we want to be a church that helps people find
TRUTH, BELONGING, AND PURPOSE IN JESUS
In the last three years, you have lived out the mission, and God has blessed our church! Your faithfulness and God’s blessings have presented new challenges and opportunities.
The vision has not changed, but the elements required to reach the goal of the vision have shifted.
This page is designed to help you clearly understand Johnson Ferry’s vision, our challenges, and the people involved in exploring solutions.
We have received great feedback and questions from many of you, as well as our exploratory team.
Hear a word
from Pastor Clay
Johnson Ferry has a rich history as a church that has impacted its community and the world. From day one, the church has grown and thrived! This growth has led our people to make hard, sacrificial decisions to help our church continue to have the most significant kingdom impact on our neighbors.
As the years marched on, the community around us began to change. Kids of the ’90s had families of their own, and they began moving into our backyard, turning East Cobb into a multigenerational and multiethnic community.
WHY ARE WE EXPLORING A CHANGE?
As our community around us has changed, the attendance between venues has changed as well.
OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS,
we have shifted from the majority of our people attending worship in the Sanctuary to the majority now attending in the Activities Center.
Our vision is to become a multi-generational, multi-ethnic church multiplying across metro Atlanta. As you can see, God is growing Johnson Ferry into a church that reflects this vision.
%
Baptisms in the Activities Center since 2020
NEW GUESTS IN 2024
Children and Preschool attendance is up 19% since 2022.
“We see newly married couples and young families coming to Johnson Ferry for the first time every week!”
– The Connection Team
In 2022, weekly attendance averaged 500 students. In 2024, this number nearly doubled, averaging
900+ students every Sunday.
"We have one of the largest student life groups in the SBC!"
Studies consistently show that once a venue has reached
80% capacity,
the opportunity for growth is significantly diminished.
In 2021,
attendance increased when we brought back a third service in the Activities Center.
In 2024,
we added more chairs to the Activities Center, increasing our venue capacity from 1,455 to 1,600, and attendance increased again!
In 2021,
attendance increased when we brought back a third service in the Activities Center.
In 2024,
we added more chairs to the Activities Center, increasing our venue capacity from 1455 to 1600, and attendance increased again!
Studies consistently show that once a venue has reached
80% capacity,
the opportunity for growth is significantly diminished.
It’s not just about the growth of our average weekly attendance. Every year, there are numerous Sundays in which our community is more likely to come to church.
DURING THE LAST YEAR, WE EXCEEDED 80% CAPACITY IN THE ACTIVITIES CENTER (1280) ON HIGH ATTENDANCE SUNDAYS.
1,421
on Easter
1,315
on Mother’s Day
1,343
on Fall Kickoff
1,995
on one wknd
1,420
on baptism sunday
2,001
on Christmas Eve (1pm)
2,071
on Christmas Eve (3pm)
We want to have the space for those people to join us so they can hear the gospel and become disciple-makers themselves! Doing nothing is not an option.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY?
We are a congregational church that elects elders who prayerfully make decisions that are in the best long-term interest of our church.
Listed as pictured from left to right: Matt McCook, Brad McBrayer, Jay Rhoden, Jonathan Reed, Steve Aslinger, Whitney Fain, Kris Rinne, Matthew Beaver, Holly McCaleb
In an effort to provide transparency and foster open dialogue, the elders have approved the creation of the Exploratory Team to be a voice from the congregation to the elders and a voice from the elders to the congregation.
They will meet for 6-12 months, and during that time, they will openly discuss the process regarding the possibility of a new worship venue.
If you know any of these individuals, we encourage you to talk with them and ask questions. If you don’t know them, then feel free to email the team. All emails get shared with the team and they will discuss them during their meetings.
Listed as pictured from left to right: Matt McCook, Brad McBrayer, Jay Rhoden, Jonathan Reed, Steve Aslinger, Whitney Fain, Kris Rinne, Matthew Beaver, Holly McCaleb