In Ephesians, Paul said, And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers (Eph. 4:11). From this verse we understand that being a pastor and teacher is a gift from God. Becoming a pastor is not done when a person so desires, but when he is given the Gift of the Pastorate. This book is being written especially for those who are being called into the pastorate. I hope that this book will benefit young pastors, or even experienced pastors, who may not have had the benefit of a wise counselor. The basic purpose of the book is to explain the calling, preparation, and role of a pastor. I also think that this book could help church members understand the role of a pastor and what being a pastor entails.
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Wendell Smith was in the ministry for thirty-eight years. Thirty-two of those years were in the pastorate. He planted/pastored three churches and pastored two others. Six years of his ministry were as an associational director of missions. He graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor’s and master’s of secondary education. He taught eleven years in the public school system. He also has taught seminary extension courses and classes for Boyce Bible School extension center. He graduated from Ashland Theological Seminar with a master’s of divinity. He served in the US Army Reserve, Military Police Corps, and Confinement Section as training officer. He is married, a father of three and grandfather of eight. He now resides in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, where he is retired due to a crippling car wreck. His wife and he are helping a small Southern Baptist Church in Gallipolis, Ohio.