I married into a ministry family. In my wife’s family there is over 130 years of ministry experience which included parents, cousins, aunts and uncles.

My wife’s uncle (by marriage) pastored SBC churches for 40 years, ending in the 1970’s. Most of his time was in the Carolina regions.

I was given some of his published writings by my father-in-law soon after my wife and were married. One of the booklets had a poem in it that has stuck with me since I first read it, 9 years ago. It was written in 1944 and is entitled, “The Making of a Preacher”.

When you take your stand for right
And the devil gives a fight,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When your critics howl aloud
That you do not suit the crowd,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When you give God’s message plain
And no friends you seem to gain,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When your cherished proposition
Meets with bitter opposition
That’s the making of a preacher.

When the crowd that cheered you on
Seems depleted–almost gone,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When some you are not reaching
And folk blame it on your preaching,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When the going’s not so fine
And some say you should resign,
That’s the making of a preacher.

But when you see the brighter side,
And you know the devil lied,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When true friends uphold your hands
And God sends His Angel bands,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When the words of cheer are spoken
As your spirit’s almost broken,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When you realize your goal
And can greet a new-born soul,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When you see that lives are changed
And that homes are re-arranged,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When the Church is at her best
And you know the Lord has blessed,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When you see your dreams come true
And you know your prayers went through,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When the debts have all been paid
And you get on level grade,
That’s the making of a preacher.

When the race of life you’ve run
And the Master says, “Well done”,
That’s the making of a preacher.

R. Von King, August 9, 1944