We Are Church Quotes

“I would much rather hire someone who prayed and did nothing else than someone who worked tirelessly without praying.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“By catering our worship to the worshippers and not to the Object of our worship, I fear we have created human-centered churches.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“Contrary to popular belief, we are all called to pastor (a word that simply means “shepherd”). Older women are to shepherd the younger (Titus 2:3–5). Parents are to shepherd their children (Eph. 6:4). Timothy was told to teach others what he himself had been taught (2 Tim. 2:2). We’re all called to be making disciples (Matt. 28:19–20). If you can’t find a single person who looks to you as a mentor, something is wrong with you.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“If we focus too much of our attention on what people want, we will only increase the amount of complaining.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“Many pastors expect their members to sit under their teachings till they die rather than training them to leave and shepherd others. Paul was clear that church leaders are to equip the saints for work. Hugh Halter sees this as a trap we build for ourselves: “Many vocational ministers are stuck doing the work of ministry because they take a paycheck from consumer Christians who fail to see the full scope of their calling.”1”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“If it’s 11:00 p.m. and your ten-year-old asks for a latte because he’s tired, you need to tell him to go to sleep. Sleep is the right solution for his fatigue. Too often we have given people what they ask for rather than what they need. There are times when the most loving thing we can do is teach people that joy will come only when they stop screaming for attention and save their voices for the throne.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“Many want to change the Church, but it is often motivated by personal preference rather than biblical conviction.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“There are times when the most loving thing we can do is teach people that joy will come only when they stop screaming for attention and save their voices for the throne.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“Another pastor from India gave me some simple and powerful advice I hope never leaves me. His ministry has led over three million people to Jesus. All these people are being discipled. When I asked how he organized this massive army, he replied, “Americans always want to know about strategy. This is what I will tell you: my leaders are the most humble men I know, and they know Jesus deeply.” He proceeded to tell me that his biggest mistakes were the times when he allowed people into leadership who were not humble. He got so excited about releasing their gifts, but it always led to their destruction. To this day, he says those are his biggest regrets. Now his main criterion for identifying leaders is humility, and his leadership problems have significantly decreased. We would never admit it, but we often search for leaders the way the world does. We look at outward appearances.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“I imagined God looking down on the earth and seeing people on one side of the planet gathering expectantly whenever prayer was happening. Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, people show up only for the most talented people and the “atmosphere.” It’s embarrassing.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“This is why self-deprecation is as wicked as slandering God’s Church.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“The goal of a good pastor is to raise up good pastors.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“In our impatient culture, we want to experience biblical awe without biblical devotion.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“Voices are plentiful; followers are not. Strong opinions are applauded; humility is not.”
― Francis Chan, We Are Church

“The sun is ninety-three million miles away, and you are unable to stare at it.1 You obviously can’t touch the sun and live, so how is it possible that we are currently attached to the One who shines brighter than the sun? High angels cover themselves with their wings in His presence (Isa. 6:2), yet you are a member of His body. Why would Someone so extraordinary choose to care for you like His own arm?”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“In essence, we want to know what God will tolerate rather than what He desires.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“We pursue what we want; then we make sure there are no biblical commands we are violating.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“Dream of true fellowship where people are living in perfect harmony with God and one another. A picture of Eden where God and humans are walking side by side. Christ is at the center of all relationships; picture Him bringing together people who are very different as they marvel at Him together, as they do in heaven.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“Yet far too often we are more concerned with how well the sermon was communicated, whether the youth group is relevant enough, or how to make the music better. Honestly, what is it that gets people in your church stirred up for change? Is it disobedience toward commands from God? Or is it falling short of expectations that we have made up? The answer to these questions might just show us whether our church exists to please God or please people—whether God is leading our church or we are.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“We have to stop viewing church leaders as people who minister to us. God clearly explained their role. It was not to coddle you but to equip you. Think personal trainer, not massage therapist. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11–12”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“When we love others, we are being the hands and feet of Jesus. Jesus loved the marginalized, rejected, and forgotten. And at the end of His life, His hands and feet were nailed to a cross. Real love demands something of us, and it will lead us into suffering.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“Isn’t it ridiculous that God promises a blessing to anyone who reads Revelation out loud yet no one actually does this?”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“Paul said, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (1 Tim. 4:13). Maybe if we did more of this, we could raise a new generation that is addicted to God’s Word and less fanatical about preachers.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“three goals,”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“We all need a Judas in order to become like Jesus.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“We have experienced the greatest love in the universe. Shouldn’t that profound love flow out of us? And shouldn’t that be enough to shock the world?”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“One thing the New Testament makes clear is that the Church is supposed to be known for its love. Jesus says our love for one another is the very thing that will attract the world. But can you name a single church in our country that is known for the way its members love one another? I’m sure you can think of churches known for excitement or powerful preaching or worship or production value. But can you name a church known for supernatural love?”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“I asked my daughter how many kids would come to her birthday party if all we offered was cake. No games, no entertainment. They could come to the house to spend time with her and bring gifts to celebrate her, but we wouldn’t have anything else for them. She thought for a minute and said, “Maybe just a couple.” Then I asked her how many would come if I rented out Dave & Buster’s and let them have unlimited tokens, food, and prizes. She laughed and said confidently that the whole school would show up. So let’s say that for her birthday party I rent out the arcade and her whole school comes. They’re all going nuts, having the time of their lives. Imagine if I pulled her aside during the party, put my arm around her, and said, “Look at all the people who came to be with you!” Would she actually believe those people were there because they love her and want to spend time with her? Or would my comment actually be insulting? Isn’t this basically what we do with God? We have learned that we can fill church buildings if we bring in the right speaker or band. Make things exciting enough and people will come. We say, “God, look how many people are coming because they love being with You!” But do we really think God is fooled by this? Do we think God is pleased? He knows how many would show up if it was just Him. He knows there might be only a few if all we offered was Communion or prayer.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church

“If prayer isn’t vital for your church, then your church isn’t vital. This statement may be bold, but I believe it’s true. If you can accomplish your church’s mission without daily, passionate prayer, then your mission is insufficient and your church is irrelevant.”
― Francis Chan, Letters to the Church