Rev. Clay Smith

Church-Planting Pastor

Statement of Calling & Ministry Values

Knowing and belonging to God, and being specially ordained a servant of his church, I am called to proclaim Jesus Christ, and all whereby he is known, to picture his grace in the due administration of his sacraments and in a life of exemplary obedience to him with all reverence and joy, and to devote my labors to all who seek him, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, and bearing patient witness to all who inquire after Christian hope, sharing with all not only the gospel but my very life; that in hopeful prayer, steadfast faith and fervent expectation of his Spirit, the Lord would reap a harvest, whether in turning sinners or in strengthening saints, each according to his measure, and all according to his glory.

Scripture

Making the Word of God more accessible, intelligible, beautiful and practical to others.

Christianity

A biblical and free embrace of Christian (particularly Protestant) Tradition, wherever beneficial. Forming habits and rites that vivify, edify, and disciple.

Spirituality

Ordinary means of grace; the remembrance of his presence; ascetic life (spiritual disciplines). Living simply; one thing at a time; God as refuge from digital Babylon.

Compassion

The ministry of presence; acts of service; not giving up on people. The recognition that everyone makes a kind of sense; discovering which sense with enthusiastic patience.

Being Real

Being forthright; “what you see is what you get,” intellectual honesty, common sense over jargon. Honesty with ourselves, one another, and God—including our limitations, struggles and sins.

"If anything means anything, There must be something meant for us to be, A song that we were made to sing, There must be so much more than we can see"
These lyrics of Thrice mean everything to me. Long have I borne the burden of determining and deciding for myself what life might mean. I grew up a part of the church in Wisconsin but always understood religion as my work, my offering, my obligation. I ran away from religion only to find myself reinventing it through music, relationships, anything I could hide myself in to make me feel like enough. God or no God, the burden of purpose finds us, and the unbridgeable chasm between it and ourselves remains. Jesus in his mercy caught up with me and taught me that I am not what I achieve, not what I project, not what I think myself into being--put simply, I am not my own. Meaning is mercifully not up to me. But so much more, he bought me, he loved me, he washed me. He laid down his life--he who knew no sin became mine that I might live for him (2 Cor 5:21). Now, I live as his possession, resting in his work, as his redeemed creature. Whether I see it or not, I have purpose and freedom through Christ every day. I went to seminary at RTS down in Charlotte, NC for three years and only found out how much more desperately I needed the grace of God than I ever knew, but also how much readier God is to meet me with it than I had ever imagined. I have far to go and much to learn, but my wife and our four children pray that you would know for certain that forgiveness and abundant life and purpose are yours today! If you thirst though the whole world offers drink to your soul, let's go find Living Water, together!

Contact

Everyone has a story with God; everyone's matters! I'd love to hear yours. Email or get on my calendar to get together soon.

Pastor Clay

[email protected]