In May 2012, Johnston and his wife each earned Doctor of Ministry degrees from Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, an entity affiliated with the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches.
[2] Johnston's doctoral thesis is entitled An Exploration of Rates and Causes of Attrition among Protestant Evangelical Clergy in the United States.
[10] In 2007, the Kansas City Star reported issues relating to concerns over financial accountability within First Family Church, leading to hundreds of members leaving.
[11] In his doctoral dissertation, Johnston attributed the negative media attention to his political conservatism, such as his anti-abortion convictions and his support for the Kansas constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage.
[6] In 2004, Johnston hosted Jerry Falwell, founder of Liberty University, at First Family Church to rally Christian support in the general election in which then U.S. President George W. Bush narrowly defeated John Kerry.
[13] Journalist Jack Cashill, executive editor of Ingram's Magazine, agreed with Johnston's assertions that the pastor was a political media target because of his position as an influential conservative.