Am I Called? Quotes

“You must read to lead. Reading feeds. It opens our souls to a long line of counselors.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons to Pastoral Ministry

“Do I trust that where I am in life today—no matter how far it is from where I think I should be—can never limit God’s ability to accomplish his will in my life?”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“The life you live in private determines the ministry you can have in public.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“When God intends a man for eminent usefulness in the ministry, he leads him through deep waters, and causes him to drink freely of the cup of spiritual sorrow, that he may be prepared, by a long course of afflictive experiences, to sympathize with tempted and desponding believers; and may learn how to administer to them that consolation by which his own heart was at last comforted.4”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“Serving in obscurity can do more to shape a future leader than a dozen years of combing evangelicalism for the perfect position.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“The ultimate test of a called man is whether he desires the advancement of the gospel more than the advancement of his own ministry.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“Should it not be the office that seeks the man, rather than the man the office？”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“The inner call stirring the soul is validated
by a confirmation external to the man.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“The “preaching-as-leading” factor: You can establish a preaching diet for the church that sets direction and feeds souls. The “follow him” factor: People talk about the impact you have on their lives. Other gifted people want to glean from your life. The “make it happen” factor: When you see a need or a problem, you think solutions and action. The “can you see it” factor: You can see the big picture and have confidence for the future. And when you talk to other people, they see it too. The “order from chaos” factor: You understand the value of planning, organization, and efficiency. Your life doesn’t look like an unmade bed. The “mobilize the troops” factor: You know the best way to have impact is not to do it all yourself. You love to put people in places where they can be effective and fruitful. The “learn to lead” factor: You’re not content with what you know. You study in order to grow in understanding. The “godly ambition” factor: You’re not interested in settling in or shrinking back from challenges. You want to do all you can for the advance of the kingdom of God.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“There will be somebody to carry on the work of the Lord; and so long as the work goes on, what matter who does it？ God buries the workmen, but the devil himself cannot bury the work. The work is everlasting, though the workmen die. We pass away, as star by star grows dim; but the eternal light is never fading. God shall have the victory. His Son shall come in his glory. His Spirit shall be poured out among the people; and though it be neither this man, nor that, nor the other, God will find the man to the world’s end who will carry on his cause, and give him the glory.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“Too often a man is set aside from ministry because of church politics or vague assessments of deficiencies. And too often, when a man’s character hasn’t stood the test, he remains in ministry by simply rewriting the test, making it about his popularity or prior service.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“The church is not a career path. It’s a place you go to give your life away.”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry

“Let’s face it. If you’re called to pastoral ministry, you’re being called to the local church. It’s where we move from being doughnut lovers to dougnut makers. Is the doughnut shop in your plan?”
― Dave Harvey, Am I Called?: The Summons To Pastoral Ministry