The Kranz Dictum                                                                                                                                                             In my book called the Roman Catholic Problem, I quote a NASA mission director named Gene Kranz.  There is another phrase he used which can be transposed to those walking in Jesus Christ sharing the Gospel.  It is called the Kranz Dictum, a speech he gave to NASA mission control after the Apollo 1 disaster where 3 astronauts perished.

Kranz said “From this day forward, Flight Control will be known by two words: “Tough” and “Competent”. Tough means we are forever accountable for what we do or what we fail to do. We will never again compromise our responsibilities. Every time we walk into Mission Control we will know what we stand for. Competent means we will never take anything for granted. We will never be found short in our knowledge and in our skills. Mission Control will be perfect. When you leave this meeting today you will go to your office and the first thing you will do there is to write “Tough and Competent” on your blackboards. It will never be erased. Each day when you enter the room these words will remind you of the price paid by Grissom, White, and Chaffee. These words are the price of admission to the ranks of Mission Control.”

Tough and Competent for the Gospel!

The modern church and Christian leaders should all have this sentiment.  It should be the marching call to every person in your congregation.  Too often I hear the passivity and excuses as to why one can neither be tough or competent, as it it might offend a sinner on their way to hell.  Too often a Roman Catholic is appeased because being tough and competent might offend their obvious unbelief in Jesus Christ’s person and finished work. What I have seen from the church and some Christian leaders sadly is the sentiment of  “be passive and deceive the masses through incompetence.”

Do not apologize for the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I love this sentiment “tough and competent”!! If you have born-again, God basically tells you to do the same thing about your new life. Tough meaning you are forever accountable for what you do or what you fail to do, and your new nature means you will never again compromise to sin or fail to repent.  Competent meaning you will never take God’s grace for granted again. You desire to be enlightened by God through the inner teachings of the Holy Spirit, and instead of being incompetent as in your former life, you are now competent, illuminated and enlightened by God. Each day when you enter God’s mission field, these words will remind you of the price paid by Jesus Christ. These words are the price of admission to the ranks of the church Jesus is building!

Do not take this new life in Christ for granted! Do not be lazy! Do not give excuses! And more importantly in this toughness and competence DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD!

Kranz’ poetic words can be transposed to the Christian.  God will never tolerate carelessness, incapacity, and neglect with a new creation.  It is discipline from Him which will come if these things happen. If discipline is not coming, examine your faith in Him.  God does NOT employ part-time Christians or seasonal Christians, don’t fool yourself.

The first thing Kranz acknowledges is their shortcomings, where they screwed up.  We must do the same with our own stumbling!  Acknowledge we are only perfect IN Jesus Christ.  Acknowledge our past and former life of evil on our mind, learn from it, and repent of it.  As Christians we should NEVER tolerate sin and shortcomings. The excuse machine and rationalizations should be now pathetic in your life and should not be used.  Jesus died a horrific death because of our sins! Taking this lightly by excuses is spitting on this work!  Do not do this!

As a Christian strive to be tough and competent each day! Stay in the word of God!  He shows you the way, gives us the tools to do this.  Don’t compromise the Gospel or appease sinners, be always tough and competent, stand firm and bold!  If the Holy Spirit indwells you, He has given you every necessary tool to do so!

Never take a new life in Christ for granted! Not even for a minute!