Quotes of Note: Christ’s Compelling Calling
The following “Quotes of Note” are from Chapters Three and Four of Equipping Counselors for Your Church. These chapters focus on crafting a biblical mission and vision for your biblical counseling ministry. For quotes from Chapter One, read God’s Grand Vision for His Church. For quotes from Chapter Two, read Knowing and Loving Those We Serve and Equip.
• “MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”—Ernest Shackleton
• “GOD’S PEOPLE WANTED FOR ARDUOUS JOURNEY. No human wages, but the internal reward of joy and the eternal reward of hearing, ‘Well done!’ Bitter cold and long months of complete darkness because servanthood is lonely. Safe return of your spirit guaranteed. Complete safety doubtful because in this world we will have tribulation, and all who attempt to lead a godly life will be persecuted. Honor and recognition guaranteed from God. Henceforth there is laid up for you the crown of righteousness.”—Your Elders
• The ways we typically invite people to do church and be the church are not compelling enough.
• We cater to consumers with eye-candy instead of challenging Christians to live courageously for Christ.
• Avoid the tired method of recruiting people to fill an opening. Instead, recruit people to a compelling mission and vision.
• Vision catching and casting is not about catering to consumers; rather it challenges committed Christians to follow Christ for God’s glory.
• Envisioning involves a biblically-based, Christ-centered, God-focused process of determining God’s will for our congregation in our community.
• Envisioning involves leaders and members together searching God’s Word for His wisdom for their ministry.
• Envisioning involves searching the Scriptures to become captivated by God’s specific calling for our church in our community for God’s glory.
• Mission is our universal calling—where God wants us. Vision is our unique future—where God is leading us. Passion is our captivating identity—who we are as we serve Christ together. Commission addresses how, in practice, we fulfill our mission, vision, and passion.
• Mission tells us where we should be according to God’s Word. Vision pictures where God is leading us. Passion tells us who we are on our journey. Commission provides the road map to travel from the present to the future.
• A biblical mission provides the theological foundation for ministry. It is God’s compass pointing true north.
• Vision orients your congregation to your sovereign gifting and to the profound thirst of your community.
• When Disney opened the Epcot Center in Florida, someone leaned over to Mike Vance, Creative Director of Disney Studios, and whispered, “It’s really too bad that Walt didn’t live to see this.” To which Vance replied, “He did see it. That’s why it’s here.”
• Passion communicates what we will die for and therefore what we will live for. Passion is our ultimate purpose statement.
• Commission provides the strategy for how you will get from here to there, how you will “pull it off,” and how you will keep your ministry going and growing. Picture the commission statement as a signpost, directional markers, or a GPS. It is your MAP—Ministry Action Plan.
Join the Conversation
Which quote about Christ’s compelling calling resonates with you the most? Why?
