This past Sunday Johnson Ferry Baptist Church voted unanimously to call Clay Smith to be our new senior pastor. Notes and other comments from the July 14 11:00 service:
For some reason before the sermon the offering plates were passed left to right, instead of the usual right to left. I quipped that Clay was already changing things.
Bryant Wright and the two elders who led the search committee introduced Clay. When he first took the stage the overflow congregation welcomed Clay with a standing ovation. Clay started applauding as well, pointing toward heaven to give God the glory. “You haven’t heard me preach yet!” he quipped, then adding “Let’s go ahead and take the vote right now!”
Clay followed Bryant’s tradition of having the congregation stand for the reading of the scripture passage. Hebrews 12:1-3: run the race with endurance. Clay said he liked Hebrews for its sports analogies, adding that sports builds and reveals character.
“Easy to start something, but hard to finish.” Clay told the story from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, when the crowd stayed and cheered for injured marathon runner who struggled to complete the race, refusing to give up. When asked, the runner said his country sent him not to start the race, but to finish it.
“Run” translates as “agony” - not an easy journey. Clay used to be a serious runner. Many of us “used” to do a lot of things. He found some old workout tapes as he prepared to move. Many consider themselves messes, thankful to have Jesus to help them out. Clay chooses to consider himself an overcomer, not a mess, thanks to Jesus.
1. Remember the heroes, those who’ve already run the race before me, those who ran well the race. Moses and other heroes of the faith, who demonstrated what was possible. Clay admitted that at South Carolina he had partied first three years, but finally got serious about the faith as a senior. Then God began to put godly men in his life, as he was beginning to feel the call to the ministry. Not long after that he joined his friend, Bryant’s son, at a meal with Bryant over 20 years ago.
Clay: “I’m not here to fill Bryant’s shoes. I’m here to fill my shoes…” Clay made a point to mention the great foundation and legacy of faith at Johnson Ferry, mentioning a short book of JFBC history he and his wife both read in the past few weeks.
2. Lay aside every encumbrance. Cast aside good things that hinder us from the great things. This could include money, career, even family. Lay aside the sin of not trusting God. This is true for people and true for churches. Clay is a great commission guy, a “Great GO-mission” guy. “This church needs to reach its community for Jesus. We need to renew our hustle.”
Audience participation: Clay: “fixing our eyes on…” “For those of you new to church, whenever the preacher asks a question the answer is usually…JESUS.
3. Jesus will equip you to finish the race. Might not be exactly what you expected. Clay played basketball in middle school. He was a good player. Then over the summer his buddies hit a growth spurt, but Clay didn’t. All of a sudden Clay didn’t have the ability to play basketball any more. Jesus will give you the ability you need. We are all sinners. We’ve all fallen short. Fix your eyes on Jesus – gaze, don’t just glance.
“The mission hasn’t changed. Johnson Ferry should be the soul of East Cobb. Jesus is the real pastor of Johnson Ferry.”
“Are you a starter, or are you a finisher? Let’s talk to the coach about it.” And then Clay closed in prayer. After the prayer the congregation gave Clay another standing ovation. .
Clay preached with ease (but not lazily). forcefully but not overbearing, friendly and welcoming, clearly and boldly. He is pursuing a doctorate in preaching. It’s easy to tell how polished he is, in his enunciation, pauses, and phrasing. Clay said that at the beginning of the year he thought the most interesting thing that would happen this year would be his 40th birthday.
All five services were packed, the highest attendance since Easter. Clay preached in the 8:00 traditional service in the sanctuary, then in the activities center for the 9:45 and 11:00 services.
It was said that Clay’s former church, FBC Matthews, NC, gave Clay and his family a heart-felt sendoff, commissioning him with hopes and prayers that God would use them to do great things at Johnson Ferry. His daughter’s schools in North Carolina let out a month later than schools here in Georgia, so their summer will be quite short.
Bryant said starting September 8th, Clay would next preach for three straight Sundays. During that time Bryant will be leading a JFBC trip to the Holy Land. In October and November Clay and Bryant will take turns preaching. Then in December Clay will take over the pulpit for good.
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