Lipscomb's College of Bible & Ministry Podcast: Dr. Deron Smith

May 15, 2025

Dr. Deron Smith faced many challenges and changes on his journey to Lipscomb University. His early years under his father’s ministry and personal struggles in a blended home profoundly paved his relationship with Christ. Studying at Harding University and later at Harding School of Theology prepared him for ministry, but it was his unexpected move to Uganda that truly impacted his understanding of faith. Living in a rural setting, learning a new language, and immersing himself in a vastly different culture revealed a deeper, more relational way of encountering the Gospel. What began as a willingness to follow his wife’s missionary passion became a calling that took root in his own heart, teaching him the power of presence and trust in God’s unfolding plan.
 

After years in Uganda and later earning a PhD in theology in England, Dr. Smith spent over 16 years preaching in Missouri before joining Lipscomb. Now, as director of the Pastoral Leadership Program, he is passionate about integrating academic study with real-life ministry. He believes that training for ministry isn’t just about content—it’s about character formation. His classes are ever-evolving, shaped by his years of experience and by students’ feedback, as he seeks to prepare them not just for the pulpit but for the deeper work of pastoral care. At the heart of his teaching is a relational approach, emphasizing that students are most likely to remember how they were seen, valued, and encouraged rather than just the material they studied.
 

In this week’s episode, Dr. Smith notes that a major theme throughout his journey have been the shifting of his understanding of God—from a view of God as temperamental and merit-based to one rooted in unwavering love and grace. He shares how his own struggles with works-righteousness left him exhausted, believing that God’s approval depended on his success. It wasn’t until a season of deep personal brokenness in Uganda that he realized the unchanging nature of God’s love. This revelation transformed his faith and now informs how he mentors students. He encourages them to see themselves as “loved ones” first and to operate from that identity rather than striving for validation through performance. “What I think about God and what I think God thinks about me shapes everything—my leadership, my ministry, and how I respond to both success and failure.”

Dr. Smith’s wisdom extends to those discerning their calling, reminding students that God’s will isn’t a single, pressure-filled decision but rather an ongoing relationship. He challenges the notion that one wrong choice could derail God’s plan. Lipscomb’s Pastoral Leadership Program invites students to trust in God’s presence in every step. Whether in ministry, missions, or other vocations, Dr. Smith reassures them that God is already at work ahead of them, lighting their path and preparing the hearts of people they will serve. By embracing a non-anxious presence, much like Jesus himself, students can walk forward in faith, knowing they are deeply loved and fully seen by the God who calls them.

---

Bible and Ministry Blog

---