New Methodist pastor fulfills a passion for the ministry
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
On the wall of Pastor Phil Smith's study at Valley United Methodist Church in Marion is this motto: "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
Smith began his ministry July 3 at Marion and Lincolnville UM churches. The family moved into the church parsonage on Elm Street on July 14.
Smith came to the ministry late, his path leading through various secular occupations, none of which satisfied his passions.
The 49-year-old man is not ordained but is pursuing a prescribed "course of study" as a licensed local pastor.
After graduating from Great Bend High School, he attended Barton County Community College and in 1978 obtained a degree in business from the University of Kansas.
This led to several well-paying managerial and supervisory jobs. But he wasn't satisfied.
After he met and married his wife Sharon in 1983, he accompanied her to a Christian education seminar at Phillips University in Enid, Okla.
There he was encouraged in his desire to become a minister. He knew that was what he wanted to do.
However, after attending seminary for one semester, he felt it was more than he could handle. He quit school to pursue another secular job which, like others, left him unsatisfied.
He then pursued a master's degree in physical therapy, obtaining it from Wichita State University.
After taking a job at Great Bend as a physical therapist, he started doing lay speaking and then became certified as a local pastor and was assigned to several small pastorates.
His post at Marion is his first full-time position.
"I used to be a full-time physical therapist doing preaching part-time; now, I preach full-time and do physical therapy part-time," he said. "I'm having a ball. I love it here."
He said his training as a physical therapist helps him survive while pursuing his mission.
Smith has uncles who are farmers and he himself once worked in the oil fields.
He said his past experiences provide a framework to make his sermons relative. He also likes to use humor.
"I have a real heart for preaching in Kansas," he said. "I feel my call is to serve rural churches."
Phil and Sharon have two daughters: Allison, 19, a junior at Emporia State University, and Alexa, 8, a third grader.
