Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 1-1-2001 John Smith: A charismatic and transformational religious leader Philip B. Muston Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Muston, P. B. (2001). John Smith: A charismatic and transformational religious leader. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1041 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1041 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. 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Muston Bachelor of Arts (University of Melbourne) Diploma of Theology (Nottingham University) School of International, Cultural and Community Studies ) Edith Cowan University Date of Submission: December 13, 2001 ii ABSTRACT JOHN SMITH: A CHARISMATIC AND TRANSFORMATIONAL RELIGIOUS LEADER John Smith is best known as the charismatic leader and president of God's Squad Motorcycle Club, which seeks to proclaim and incarnate the Christian gospel in Australian outlaw motorcycle subculture. Smith is in fact an evangelist and public figure in his own right. As well he is a teacher and social commentator whose prophetic statements and interpretation of events had an impact in his own culture and abroad. He is also a media spokesman and unofficial 'priest' for thousands who feel themselves alienated from institutional expressions of Christianity, and the pioneering founder of alternative church congregations. This biographical and theoretical study focuses on the transfonnational nature of Smith's charisma: his vision of the gospel as a radical and morally transfonning influence. and his drive to see God's Kingdom brought to bear on earth as in heaven. It addresses the nature of the gifts that have enabled this maverick religious leader to influence the lives of many in one of the most secular cultures in the world, and to win the admir.ition of more orthodox church leaders who would like to have been able to bridge sub-cultures as Smith has done. It questions how his charismatic gifts function, and to what end. The study also demonstrates how Smith's gifts and character have both enabled and impeded him in the process of applying his vision. Drawing on interviews with Smith and those who have known and worked with him. as well as on Smith's own writings, talks and broadcasts, his life and career arc examined in the tight of current theories pertaining to charismatic and transformational leadership. In addition the significance of his life as a leader, pioneer and minister is assessed. I certify that this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief: (i)incorporate without acknowledgment any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education,· (ii) contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text; or (iii) contain any defamatory material. Signed: iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My thanks to John Smith, without whose co-operation this study would not have been possible, and to those of his family, friends, colleagues and present and past associates who allowed themselves to be interviewed. Thanks and gratitude also to my Supervisor, Dr Anne Harris, for her guidance, help and encouragement in shaping the thesis and bringing it to completion. For his suggestions and guidance in the chapter on Smith's early life, thanks to Dr Bill Leadbeater. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract •. liil Declaration .. liiil Acknowledgments I iv I Acronyms used lvil Timeline I vii I Introduction p I Chapter 1 Charismatic and Transformational Leadership p7 Chapter 2 The Early Life of John Smith p23 Chapter 3 From Conservative to Radical p49 Chapter 4 The Arrival of a Movement p62 Chapter 5 Cultural and Theological Factors behind the Charisma p72 Chapter 6 God's Biker: Smith Becomes a Public Figure p94 Chapter 7 Truth and Liberation Concern: Building an Alternative Church p 111 Chapter 8 Routinising the vision through the establishment of Care and Communication Concern .•. p 133 Conclusion p 145 References p 152 Appendix Australian Spirituality VI ACRONYMS USED TLC Truth and Liberation Concern CCC Care and Communication Concern CFC Campaigners for Christ HOG Harley Owners Group ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation MDI Melbourne Bible Institute QIT Queensland Institute of Technology vii TIMELJNE 1942: John Smith born, April 7. First home at Preston, Victoria. 1945: Second World War ends. 1947: Smith suffers serious bums in an accident at home. 1951: Smith family moves from Melbourne to Raywood, northern Victoria. 1952: Smith contracts rheumatic fever. Hospitalised until October 1954. 1956: Smith family moves to Trafalgar, Gippsland, Victoria. 1959: Billy Graham holds first Australian' Crusade'. Basketball player Bill Dunlap visits Warragul High School. I 960: Smith family moves to Chinchilla, Qid. 1961: Smith begins studies at QIT for career in secondary teaching. Enters period of 'closet' atheism and begins affair with fellow student. 1962: Smith's final 'conversion' experience under the ministry of George Francis at Q.1.T. Ends affair with fellow student. I %3: Smith experiences being 'filled with the Holy Spirit', followed by first prophecy about being an "apostle to the Gentiles". Smith's mother dies. Family moves to Childers, Qld. Smith meets Glena Walker. 1964: The Beatles tour Australia in June, marking a watershed in youth culture and the start of the youth revolution in Australia. 1965: The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan tour Australia for the first time. Military conscription re-introduced in Australia lo boost military for engagement in Vietnam war. I 965: Smith travels to Melbourne to begin three year Diploma in Theology course at Melbourne Bible Institute. viii 1967: The Beatles release Sergeant Pepper's Lone(y Heart., C/uh /Jarul. The 'Summer of Love' takes place in San Francisco, marking the zenith of the 'hippy' movement in western youth culture. 1968: Paris student riots. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinated. Smith marries Glena Walker, graduates from MBI and accepts part-time pastoral ministry at Glen Forbes Methodist Circuit, Gippsland, along with part-time position teaching history at Wonthaggi High School. 1969: Woodstock Festival takes place in New York State. Smith's first child, Paul, is born. 1970: Smith begin.:; work as professional evangelist with Campaigners for Christ in Melbourne. In late 1970, Smith leads evangelistic 'cru5ade' in Mt Isa, then experiences second prophecy about being an "apostle to the Gentiles". Begins self-education in secular arts and literature. 1971: Kathy Smith is born. Late in the year Smith launches the Christian Motorcycle Association with Eddie Pye. 1972, January: First edition of "Truth and Liberation" newspaper published. Smith attends first Sunbury Festival, held in Sunbury, Victoria. Smith dismissed from CFC. 1972, March: Truth and Liberation Concern begins as a parachurch organisation based at the Smiths' Boronia home. 1972, March-June: Smith buys his first motorcycle. Victorian chapter of God's Squad fonned. Public launching of God's Squad Victorian chapter featured on Channel 9'sA Current Affair. 1972, December: Election of Federal Labor Government under leadership of Gough Whitlam. 1973: Smith visits the United States to meet Jesus Movement leaders. Lynda! Smith born. 1974-1980: Truth and Liberation grows to major independent church in Bayswater, Victoria. Mud-brick facility built. IX 1975, November: Dismissal of Whitlam Labour Government, followed by election of Coalition Government under leadership of Malcolm Fraser. 1978: Jonestown massacre: 913 suicide in northern Guyana. 1982: Smith spends most of the year in Adelaide doing evangelism and pioneering Values for Life seminars. 1982, November: Smith resigns from Truth and Liberation Concern. 1984: Smith founds Care and Community Concern and St Martin's Community Church in Carlton. 1985: Smith speaks for the first time at Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival in United Kingdom. 1987: Smith's autobiogrpahy On the Side ofthe Angels is published in Australia and the United Kingdom. 1988: Publication of Advance Australia Where? in Australia. 1992: Publication of Cutting Edge in Australia and United Kingdom. 1996: Smith travels to Asbury Seminary, Kentucky, United Slates, to begin D.Min. Studies. 1997: UK chapter of God's Squad launched. 2001: Smith returns to Australia. INTRODUCTION In 1973, while an undergraduate at Melbourne University, I went toa lunchtime meeting to hear an American speaker, Professor Jack Sparks, of the Christian World Liberation Front, based in Berkeley, California. This former mathematics teacher was a clever apologist for evangelical Christianity, and a world leader in what had become known as the Jesus Movement. I remember little about him, other than that he dealt calmly with hecklers and had a reasoned answer for each question put to him.