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 gre...

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...

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...

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 obli...

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...

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 wee...

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...

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 beyon...

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 ch...

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 h...

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 learne...

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...

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,...

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...

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 b...

In the season finale of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay is joined once again by Matthew Beaver to close out the series through the book of Ecclesiastes. Together, they reflect on the tension, frustration, and beauty found throughout the book as they unpack Solomon’s final words: “Fear God and keep His commandments.” Through an honest conversation about vanity, wisdom, suffering, obedience, and the temporar...

In this special episode,  Dr. Clay Smith sits down with the Southern Baptist Convention Presidential Candidate, Josh Powell.  Josh is also the Sr. Pastor at Taylor's First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC. Pastor Clay dives into what the Southern Baptist Convention is, what the president's role entails, and the question everyone wants to know: Why would anyone want to be president of the SBC? Clay Sm...

In this episode of Wordsmith, Clay Smith is joined by guest Justin Harp to explore Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 and the tension between life’s fleeting nature and God’s invitation to joy. Together, they unpack Solomon’s observations about work, celebration, relationships, and mortality—wrestling honestly with the reality that life can feel both meaningful and mysterious. Through thoughtful conversation, th...

In this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay Smith sits down with longtime friend and first-time guest Lynn McWhorter to explore the rich and often challenging truths found in Ecclesiastes 7. Together, they wrestle with questions we all face, why life can feel unfair, how to respond in seasons of both joy and hardship, and what it really means to trust God when we do not have all the answers. Through...

In this episode of the Wordsmith Podcast, Clay Smith is joined by Bobby Smith to explore Ecclesiastes 9—a passage that confronts one of life’s most unavoidable realities: death. With honesty and depth, they unpack why Scripture doesn’t shy away from difficult truths and how this often-avoided topic reveals both the brokenness of our world and the urgency of truly living. As they reflect on Solomon...

This week on Wordsmith, Pastor Clay sits down with Katy Yonker for a conversation centered on Ecclesiastes 5 and its honest look at money, wealth, and the human heart. Together, they explore why the pursuit of more never truly satisfies, how easily good things can become ultimate things, and the subtle ways money can shift from a tool into something we trust or even love. Through personal stories,...

In this special Holy Week episode of the WordSmith podcast, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by Kristen Carr to dive into the powerful reality of the resurrection in Matthew 28. Together, they unpack the first moments after the empty tomb, highlighting the unexpected role of the women as eyewitnesses and the mix of fear, joy, and worship that marked their encounter with the risen Jesus. As they reflect...

In this special Easter episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by Pastor Mitch Verdell for a meaningful conversation centered on the events of Holy Week. Together, they walk through the timeline of Jesus’ final days—from His triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple to the Last Supper, His time in the Garden of Gethsemane, and ultimately His trial before the high priest. Along the...

In this episode of WordSmith, Pastor Clay Smith sits down with Student Pastor Logan Grantham to unpack a challenging passage from Ecclesiastes and explore what it really means to approach God. Together, they dive into how our view of God shapes the way we worship, the weight of our words in prayer, and the importance of living with reverence in everyday life. They also pull back the curtain on ser...

On this episode of Wordsmith, Pastor Clay Smith is joined by Connection Minister Christina Wekall to unpack the meaning and importance of baptism. Looking at Acts 2, they explore what Scripture teaches, why baptism follows salvation, and how it serves as a public declaration of faith. Together, they address common questions and misconceptions, from salvation and obedience to different church backg...