Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Remembering Vance Havner

There are so few who are truly gifted with words. Vance Havner is one of them. I first came across this name because whenever I am looking for a good quote, his name and quotes would always be among my search. He has the unique ability to encapsulate a thought well, using a memorable line that stays with the listener for a long time. Here are a couple of the biggest influences on me:

On how to preach:
"The preacher is to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable."

On the responsibilities of a Christian:
"If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world."

On researching on his life, I came across a few others that will surely stay with me for a long time:
"We are the salt of the earth, mind you, not the sugar. Our ministry is to truly cleanse and not just to change the taste."

"Too many churches start at eleven o'clock sharp, and end at twelve o'clock dull."

"Plenty of church members are shaky about what they believe, while not many are shaken by what they believe."

"Some preachers ought to put more fire into their sermons, or more sermons into the fire."

"The church is a hospital for sinners, and not a museum for saints."

Some other quotes.

1 comment:

skyblue said...

I like the quotes. Funny yet thought-provoking.