Advertise on podcast: Wordsmith with Clay Smith

What can we learn about Jesus from one of the few stories Scripture shares about His childhood? As we continue walking through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by Meredith Stuart to explore Luke 2:41–52, where Mary and Joseph discover that 12-year-old Jesus has stayed behind in Jerusalem. What initially seems like a story about two worried parents actually reveals something much greater about who Jesus is. Together, Clay and Meredith unpack the historical and cultural context of this passage, the significance of Jesus' time in the temple, and what His words and actions reveal about His identity. They also explore the mystery of the incarnation, what it means for Jesus to be fully God and fully man, and how we understand His growth in wisdom and stature. Through this conversation, we're invited to look beyond the familiar details of the story and discover more of the person of Jesus. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Clay Smith is handing over the microphone! Student Pastor Logan Grantham takes the host's seat to ask Clay some questions as Johnson Ferry begins a new sermon series through the Gospel of Luke. Together, they explore why Luke matters, the importance of understanding Scripture in context, and how studying the life of Jesus challenges our assumptions about who He really is. What happens when we build our understanding of Jesus around the parts we like and overlook the rest? Clay and Logan discuss the difference between knowing what you believe and understanding why you believe it, the relationship between faith and evidence, and how to approach difficult questions about Christianity. Whether you're opening Luke for the first time or have studied it for years, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on knowing Jesus more fully and growing in confidence in God's Word. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay sits down with longtime pastor, author, and speaker Dr. Crawford Loritts for a conversation about preaching and teaching God’s Word. Crawford shares his journey from preaching his first sermon at 16 to decades of ministry, along with the people and experiences that shaped his approach to communicating Scripture. Together, they explore what makes preaching effective, the importance of depending on the Holy Spirit, how to keep Scripture at the center, and why great preaching is about more than communication techniques. They also take a practical look at sermon preparation, from understanding the text and its context to organizing, internalizing, and ultimately delivering a message with clarity and conviction. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined by Johnson Ferry Worship Pastor Bobby Smith for a candid conversation about money, generosity, and what it actually means to be a cheerful giver. Walking through 2 Corinthians 9, they explore why Christians can get so uncomfortable talking about money, why our motives matter when we give, and the difference between generosity that flows from obligation and generosity that flows from a heart transformed by grace. Along the way, the conversation tackles some complicated questions surrounding money and ministry, Christian celebrity, charging for Christian events, and the importance of integrity and accountability. Clay and Bobby also dig into prosperity theology and the idea that giving to God guarantees greater health, wealth, or material blessing in return. What does Scripture actually mean when it says God will provide and prosper His people? And what if God’s definition of blessing looks different from ours? Ultimately, generosity isn’t a transaction designed to get something from God. It’s a response to what we have already been given through Christ and an invitation to trust God with open hands.

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined by Shane Bruce, Johnson Ferry’s Executive Pastor of Operations, for a conversation about money, generosity, and what it really means to steward what God has given us. Looking at 2 Corinthians 8, they unpack Paul’s challenge to the Corinthian church to finish what they started and explore the difference between wanting to be generous and actually living generously. Why can conversations about money make us so uncomfortable? How does our culture shape the way we view what we have? And if we had more money, would we actually become more generous? Together, Clay and Shane talk about trusting God’s provision, developing healthy financial habits, and learning to see ourselves not as owners but as stewards. Whether you’re trying to get out of debt, build better habits, or grow in generosity, this conversation offers practical encouragement to start where you are, hold what you have with open hands, and faithfully use it for God’s purposes.

What makes a sermon faithful, engaging and effective? In this special preaching and teaching episode of Wordsmith, Clay sits down with longtime pastor and preacher Clint Pressley to talk about the art and craft of communicating God’s Word. Clint shares how his approach to preaching has developed over more than three decades of ministry, why he’s committed to expositional preaching and what his weekly sermon preparation looks like. Together, he and Clay explore how pastors and teachers can faithfully explain Scripture, clearly communicate the gospel and apply God’s Word to the people they’re called to serve. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

Why does God care about how we handle our money? In this episode, Clay is joined by John Farish to dig deeper into 2 Corinthians 8 and Paul’s teaching on generosity. Together, they look at the surprising example of the Macedonian church, a group of believers who gave generously even in the midst of hardship and poverty, and consider what their example can teach us today. Clay and John discuss why money can be one of the hardest areas of our lives to surrender, how generosity serves as an expression of genuine love and faith, and why giving is about much more than simply meeting a financial need. They also explore Paul’s repeated connection between grace and generosity, what it looks like to live with open hands, and why generosity is ultimately something God desires for us, not simply from us. At the center of it all is Jesus, who became poor for our sake and gives us the greatest picture of sacrificial generosity. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined by Pete Loescher, president of Radical Mentoring, to explore the role our stories play in shaping our calling. Looking at Paul’s testimony in Acts 22, they discuss why our personal stories can be some of the most powerful tools God gives us to connect with others and point them toward Him. Pete shares how Radical Mentoring helps people move beyond the polished version of their lives to honestly understand the experiences that have shaped them. Together, Clay and Pete unpack the importance of vulnerability, trusted community, mentorship, suffering, and learning to recognize the themes God has woven throughout our lives. They also explore what it means to stop viewing our experiences as simply “my story” and instead see them as part of God’s larger story—one that can be redeemed and offered as a gift to others. From learning to suffer well to giving our lives away for the sake of others, this conversation is an invitation to look back at where you’ve been, recognize how God has been at work, and consider how He might use your story to encourage someone else. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

What happens when the plans you have for your life are interrupted by God’s call? In this episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Rob and Nancy Childs to hear how God reshaped their vision for retirement and led them to serve sent ones through the Renewal Project in Málaga, Spain. What began as plans for a slower life near the coast became something entirely different as God used their children, relationships, circumstances, and years of practicing hospitality to reveal a new assignment. As Rob and Nancy share their story, they reflect on the patience, prayer, and discernment it took to follow where God was leading—even when the path wasn’t immediately clear. Their journey connects with the story of Nehemiah and the way God often uses the people around us to awaken a burden, confirm a calling, and give us the courage to take the next step. This conversation is a reminder that God is often preparing us long before we recognize it, using the gifts we already have and the people He places in our lives to lead us into purposes we never could have planned for ourselves. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this week’s episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by David Anderson, Pastor of Adult Disciple Making at Johnson Ferry, for a conversation about spiritual gifts and how God uniquely equips every believer to participate in His mission. Together, they unpack what Scripture teaches about spiritual gifts, how they differ from natural talents, whether our gifts can change over time, and how we can begin to recognize the ways the Holy Spirit is working through us. Clay and David also discuss why our gifts were never intended to be used in isolation. God gives different gifts to different people so that the body of Christ can work together to build up the Church and further His mission. Whether you already know your spiritual gifts or are still discovering them, this conversation will encourage you to pay attention to where God is working, step into opportunities to serve, and faithfully use what He has given you for His glory. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this special episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Johnson Ferry’s founding pastor, Bryant Wright, for a conversation about the art, calling, and responsibility of preaching God’s Word. Drawing from nearly 50 years of ministry and thousands of sermons, Bryant reflects on his earliest experiences teaching the Bible, the pastors and mentors who shaped him, and the lessons he has learned through decades in the pulpit. Clay and Bryant also pull back the curtain on what sermon preparation actually looks like—from selecting and studying a text to planning months ahead, protecting preparation time, and spending 15–20 hours developing a message. They discuss the importance of prayer, staying dependent on the Holy Spirit, preaching the whole counsel of Scripture, and keeping Christ and the gospel at the center of every sermon. Whether you preach, teach, lead a Bible study, or simply want to better understand the work that happens before Sunday morning, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for faithfully communicating God’s Word. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this week’s episode of Wordsmith, Clay sits down with Travis Lewis to talk about work, calling, and what it looks like to see our careers through the lens of faith. Travis shares lessons from more than three decades in the workforce and how God has used different jobs, seasons, challenges, and relationships to shape his understanding of purpose and calling. Together, they discuss what it means to make our work an act of worship, how to avoid finding our identity in achievement, and how our faith can influence the way we lead and serve others. They also tackle practical questions like what to do when you don’t enjoy your job, how to navigate difficult seasons at work, and how to discern when God may be leading you somewhere new. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Dave Pyle to explore calling as something much bigger than a job title or professional ambition. Through the life of Peter and Dave’s own journey through career, loss, faith, and transition, they discuss how God uses every season of our lives to shape us for His purposes. Together, they unpack the importance of listening for God’s direction, embracing grace over performance, and recognizing that what seems small in the world’s eyes can have tremendous value in God’s economy. Whether you’re just beginning your career, navigating a transition, or wondering what God has for you next, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that your calling doesn’t end when one chapter does. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

In this episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Tom and Susan Goodwin to explore what it means to discover and live out God's calling. Drawing from Ephesians 2:8–10, they discuss how calling is rooted first in our identity in Christ—not in our job title or accomplishments. Through stories of transitioning from decades of ministry with Cru into running a family business, they share how God's calling often changes with different seasons of life while His purpose remains the same. Rather than comparing ourselves to others or chasing the "perfect" calling, believers are encouraged to faithfully walk in the opportunities God places before them, trusting that He has uniquely crafted each person for good works that bring Him glory. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org

As America celebrates 250 years as a nation, what does it mean to reflect on our country's history through the lens of faith? In this special edition of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by Nels and Jennifer Peterson and Valentina Seleznev for a thoughtful conversation about freedom, religious liberty, civic responsibility, and the Christian's role in public life. Together, they explore the blessings of living in America, the importance of preserving freedom for future generations, and how followers of Christ can engage faithfully in their communities without making politics their primary identity. Drawing from history, personal experience, and biblical principles, this discussion encourages believers to approach America's semiquincentennial with both gratitude and humility, remembering that while we are citizens of a nation, our ultimate allegiance belongs to the Kingdom of God. Dr. Clay Smith is the senior pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, located just north of Atlanta, GA. JF, as it is affectionately called, is a healthy, vibrant church committed to helping people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Learn more about Johnson Ferry Baptist Church at johnsonferry.org