Part 2 from 'The Office' archives .... with John Smith

Here's Part 2 of John Smith's banter from back in August 2002 when Zac's Place gathered in 'The Office' - they were great times and this particular night was no exception. Smithy opened up the 'Old Book' and shared a couple of stories in the packed out public bar - bikers, musicians, artists, believers, seekers and cynics among them . . . . for a few moments the pool table, pinball machine and the bar fell silent . . . .



have a listen and ponder ... if you like it ... share it among your friends.

VINTAGE ZAC'S PLACE LIVE FROM 'THE OFFICE' -'If you can't handle the organized Church - create a disorganized one...!'

Whilst sorting through some old recordings, I came across a disc from August 2002 when Zac's Place was gathering on a Sunday night in the public bar of The Office pub in Swansea city centre. On it was an interview with John Smith and following that a short reflection from the Bible. The link below is for the interview and covers questions on being jailed and facing excecution, life influences and church struggles.

What's remarkable, is that this was recorded in a public bar to a mixed audience of around 150 people - bikers, musicians, artists, believers, seekers and cynics among them . . . . for a brief moment the pool table, pinball machine and bar fell silent . . . grab a few minutes and take a listen . . . .

You can also find John's own podcast here: http://john-smith.podomatic.com/
(Part two of this recording will eventually be posted there)





A direct link to the podcast can be found HERE.

NEW JOHN SMITH PODCAST SITE

OK folks, hot on the heals of John's recent return visit and our collective pondering ... here's a link to John's new podcast page - kicking off with one of his regular 'This Is John Smith' - 'thought for the day' - radio spots, heard across Australian radio stations for years. More will be added on a regular basis - including the best of a huge back catalogue. Other features will also include video and comment.

Get in and subscribe early ..... "John Smith's message is for people who want to do more than just listen" Bono U2

JOHN SMITH AT ZAC'S PLACE

Tomorrow, Tues 24 Aug, sees the return of Aussie John Smith to Zac's Place. Very much a tribal elder of our community of faith, he will continue to stir the pot, challenge and encourage all who hear him........

Tues 24 Aug, from 7.30pm
Zac's Place, George Street, Swansea, SA1 4HH.

JOHN SMITH / MARTYN JOSEPH

As expected a great night had by all - Smithy was on form taking various characters from the Bible, (Samson, Peter, John the Baptist amongst them) and bringing them to life in all their human frailty delivering both a hope and challenge. MJ as ever brought the perfect songs, questions and stories for the occasion. Both he and I reflected how over two decades ago John's preaching drastically reshaped the way we saw the world and understood our faith.

Was disappointed a little with the turn out, but I think that's a Swansea thing generally! If you weren't there - you missed out big time!

John and Glena then headed for home in Melbourne via the slums in Bangkok to see mutual friends Ash and Anji Barker who work there. Martyn takes his excellent new album 'Vegas' on the road this autumn (Narberth and Cardiff dates for South Wales - end of October). I visited a mate on the way home from Heathrow, having dropped John and Glena off, on the Mon who's seriously ill with various strains of cancer - was a touching moment when he handed me a photo of himself, signing the back of it 'love ya mate' - I still hope to see him a few more times yet. Questions and hope still permiate, do battle and linger......just as Martyn remembers Smithy asking twenty years ago,'why didn't Jesus visit John the Baptist in prison?'

JOHN SMITH AT ZAC'S PLACE

My Aussie mate and mentor returns to the UK soon and will be speaking at Zac's on Sun eve 9 Sep, 2007. Doors open from 7.30pm

Expect a challenging message, we'll have some live music from special guest, Martyn Joseph and I'll do my best to hold it all together.......

BONO SAYS READ IT!

Back in 1988, on my second read through of John Smith’s ‘On The Side Of The Angels’, I just knew, both John, (who at the time I’d never met) and God’s Squad would have a significant part to play in my life - here we are nearly two decades on as I head up God’s Squad in Europe and was ordained by John several years ago! What’s more, his story and the challenges regarding mission, church, the arts and justice made a huge impact on me then (and still do) and made a massive contribution in ‘sorting my head out’ when a lot of things seemed very confusing. ‘On The Side’ has been out of print for a number of years now, but has now been republished in Australia with an updated chapter and pictures including references to our work, musicians Sammy Horner, Martyn Joseph & also U2. We have the only supply of these new books available for sale in this country at moment, for £10 plus £2 p+p. Just drop us a note, (Exousia Trust, PO Box 437, Reading, RG30 3DF), with a cheque payable to ‘Exousia Trust’ and we’ll be glad to send one. (If the price seems a little high it’s because of the shipping costs from Australia).

"Truly a preacher to the convertible .. John Smith's message is for people who want to do more than just listen" - Bono, U2.