Wednesday, August 05, 2009

LIFE QUOTES


As I look back over my 44 years, there are certain quotes that I have either heard or read that have stuck with me like glue. These aren’t just clever statements, they are bits of truth that have become a major part of my ministry philosophy. Here are a few of them:

Just because it’s Christian doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocrity…shoot for excellence in everything you do.” (This was a quote I heard often in the band room during my high school years that came from Mr. Don Bechtel, my High School band director at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Stow, Ohio)

Nothing of eternal importance happens apart from prayer.” (This quote I heard literally hundreds of times during my four years of college coming from Dr Jerry Falwell, founder and chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia)

If you’re going to understand the Bible theologically, you must first understand it grammatically.” (this quote came from Dr. Paul Fink, my Inductive Bible Study and Homiletics professor at Liberty University who taught me how to study the Bible)

If you’re going to err, err on the side of grace.” (this quote was spoken often from Steve Peters, my mentor in ministry, pastor of Community Church in West Milton, OH were I spent my first 8 years of full-time ministry after graduating from college)

If God be your partner, make your plans large.” (This quote comes from the old time evangelist, D.L. Moody, founder of Moody Bible Institute...pictured above)

The local church is the hope of the world.” (this quote comes from Bill Hybels, one of my favorite authors who is also the pastor of the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and founder of the Willow Creek Association)

We count people because people count.” (this quote is in Rick Warren’s best selling book, The Purpose Driven Church…Rick pastor’s Saddleback Church in La Mirada, California)

Leadership is disappointing people at a rate they can stand.” (this is a quote I heard John Ortberg share it at a Willow Creek Leadership Summit…John is also one of my favorite authors who pastors the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in San Fran Cisco, California)

If you’re going to reach people that no one is reaching, you have to do things that no one is doing.” (this quote comes from Craig Groeschel, pastor of LifeChurch.tv in Edmond, Oklahoma and author of the book, It)

For the Christian, the best is yet to come.” (I have no idea who coined this quote…I’m sure it is not original, but I use it on a regular basis so I’ll take credit for this one for now)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pastor Scott,
Thanks for these great quotes, my favorite would be Jerry Farwell and Dr. Paul Fink. I have a habit of saving great quotes I'll be including many of theses. Question, and forgive me if this is obvious and I'm just not getting it, but could you elaborate on John Ortberg's comment.."Leadership is disappointing people at a rate they can stand." Maybe I'm trying to read more into it then is meant.

Pastor Scott said...

Hi Anonymous. I think he was just sayong that leaders can't always make everyone happy. Every decision a leder makes will dissapoint somebody. Leaders who try to please everyone all the time will most likely not lead well.