Things They Didn't Tell Me: 30 Lessons Learned as a New Pastor is an honest, practical, and faith-rooted reflection on the unexpected realities of pastoral ministry. Drawing from his first pastoral assignment, Pastor Wren Hudson opens the door to lessons that are rarely taught in classrooms or ministry training programs, but urgently needed in real life.

With humility and clarity, Hudson recounts experiences that shaped his understanding of what it truly means to shepherd God's people. He reflects on navigating church politics, setting healthy boundaries, balancing family life with ministry demands, and discovering how to lead with integrity when faced with criticism. Each chapter offers insight that new pastors wish they had known at the beginning.

This book is not a manual of theory but a companion for the journey. It explores the joys of preaching, the struggles of leadership, and the quiet victories of serving faithfully. Hudson reminds pastors that while the work is demanding, the God who calls is faithful to sustain.

Written in thirty short and accessible lessons, Things They Didn't Tell Me offers encouragement for pastors entering ministry, guidance for those mentoring the next generation of leaders, and inspiration for church members who want to better understand and support their shepherds. It serves as both a mirror that reflects the challenges of ministry and a map that points toward resilience, wisdom, and grace.

Whether you are a new pastor learning to find your footing, a seasoned minister seeking fresh encouragement, or a believer curious about the hidden side of ministry, this book will challenge and uplift you. It serves as a reminder that although many things are left unsaid at the outset, God equips His servants with everything they need for the journey.