Ray Smith has served as pastor at Clear Lake Baptist Church in Lakeport for the past eight years, but he has been involved in the church and the lives of others for decades, both in the U.S. and overseas. Before arriving in Lake County, Smith was a “church planter” — essentially a missionary — in Australia. Although he grew up in California and graduated from Los Angeles Baptist (now Masters College), “Pastor Ray” attended seminary in Tennessee.
1. Which is a busier time for you, Christmas or Easter?
Probably Christmas. For Easter there is the one big Sunday, but the Christmas season — it seems it starts at Thanksgiving these days. And there are a lot of events going on.
2. So the whole Black Friday thing now affects religion?
[Laughs]. Pretty much. We kicked off the season with a potluck ‘praise and pie’ right after Thanksgiving and we’ve been partying ever since.
3. Is it difficult to come up with new ways to tell the Christmas story? People are familiar with it, after all.
I’ve been struggling with that this year. You want to take a familiar account — I don’t use ‘story’ because that might imply it’s not real — you take a familiar account and draw some ideas people haven’t thought much about, ones that apply to their own lives so 2,000 years ago is still relevant.
4. Do you have a favorite verse?
There are several that stand out, depending on what is going on. I could pick any number, but I think I would gravitate toward Philippians chapter 1, verse 6: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” It’s the idea that God is constantly working on me, on his people. He is going to bring about his purpose in our lives, and that brings hope.
5. Now how long does it take for you to learn the Bible?
It’s a lifelong pursuit. Each day we learn a little more. The Bible talks about itself as being living and we realize that when life circumstances happen. Then we see how a verse applies.
6. Ever hear someone interpret a verse — like if I interpreted it — and you just shake your head?
[Smiles] Yes.
7. What’s the best part of your job?
The best part is just seeing lives affected by the gospel of Jesus, seeing people change. It’s about lives.
8. Most people are afraid of public speaking, but you’re essentially giving speeches all the time.
Someone said to become good at public speaking is also a lifelong pursuit. But when I look out at the congregation, I actually have a relationship with them. I feel like I’m talking to my family.
9. Is there a movie or show about the Bible you like?
I do. There was a film some years ago, “Matthew” (part of the Visual Bible Series). It’s a dramatization of the book of Matthew and it’s word for word from the NIV (New International Version). It’s just so well done. It gives me pleasure to see the Bible depicted in a way that honors the text.
10. Outside of the Bible — outside of religion — do you have a favorite book? Do you have much time for reading?
I used to read a lot of westerns — Louis L’Amour, Zane Gray. I liked westerns. But I haven’t done that in years.
