The Person Called You: Why You're Here, Why You Matter & What You Should Do With Your Life - Softcover

Hendricks, Bill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802412017 ISBN 13: 9780802412010

Publisher: Moody Publishers, 2014

Synopsis

"I can't stand my job anymore."
"I feel like I have no direction."
"What should I do with my life?"

Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Barna Group finds that 75% of Americans are seeking ways to live more meaningful lives. And among practicing Christians, only 40% have a clear sense of their calling.

But there is a way to find and follow your purpose.

For over twenty years, Bill Hendricks has been helping people of all ages and stages find meaning and direction for their work and for their lives. The key is harnessing the power of human giftedness. Every person has their own unique giftedness—including you! And the best way to discover it is not through a test or gift assessment exercise, but from your own life story. Through this book, find out what you were born to do and the profound difference that insight makes for every area—your work, your relationships, even your spirituality.

The Person Called You is a celebration, exploration, and explanation of human giftedness. Bill describes what it is (and isn’t), where it comes from, how you can discover your own giftedness, and, most importantly, its potential to transform your life.

About this title

About the Author

BILL HENDRICKS is President of The Giftedness Center, a Dallas-based consulting firm specializing in organizational effectiveness and individual career guidance. He is the author or coauthor of twenty books, including The Power of Uniqueness, The Light That Never Dies: A Story of Hope in the Shadows of Grief, Your Work Matters to God, and Living by the Book. He has written for numerous publications and shares his thoughts regularly at BillHendricks.net. Bill holds an undergraduate degree in English from Harvard University, a master of science in mass communications from Boston University, and a master of arts in biblical studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is the proud father of three grown daughters by his late wife, Nancy, and is now re-married to Lynn Turpin Hendricks.

Review

Endorsements for The Person Called YOU

 Brad Lomenick

Author, The Catalyst Leader; Strategic Advisor, Past President, and Key Visionary for Catalyst

I’ve experienced firsthand the work of Bill Hendricks. His giftedness assessment and life coaching was instrumental for me in discovering and clarifying my calling in my early 20s, during the first quarter of my career. We’re all wired uniquely, and discovering our purpose in life is one of the most important questions we can ask. Bill helps you practically answer that question with The Person Called You. I highly recommend this book!

  

Bob Buford

Author, Halftime and Drucker & Me; Founder, Leadership Network and Halftime, The Organization

In today’s world, we live our life in seasons. It is one of the paradoxes of success that the things which worked so well in the last season are seldom the things and behaviors that keep you going in the next. Bill Hendricks has spent a lifetime helping people answer three questions: (1) who am I now? (2) where do I fit now? and (3) what do I contribute in the next season of my life? He has developed the tools and wisdom required. He is the master of his craft. . .ushering you into the next season of life’s journey.

  

Randy Frazee

Senior Minister, Oak Hills Church, and Author, Making Room for Life

I worked side by side with Bill Hendricks thirty years ago. Even then his laser focus was on helping people discover their unique design and employ it into daily life for maximum impact and personal satisfaction. The Person Called You is the culmination of his best thinking over these last three decades. Reading and applying the message of this book will give you insight into what God had in mind when he created you and blow wind at your back.

  

Reggie McNeal

Author, A Work of Heart; Missional Leadership Specialist for Leadership Network

Finally, somebody who “gets” it—it IS all about you! You are the only YOU we’ve got. And if you don’t become YOU we’re going to miss YOU! Bill Hendricks will help you avoid this tragedy. In this insightful volume, Bill uses his own giftedness to help you discover yours. Now, it’s up to YOU!

Peggy Wehmeyer 

Former Correspondent, ABC News

A valuable, easy-to-understand guide for discovering what in the world you were made for. Bill Hendricks’ insight into giftedness has helped me navigate my own life’s direction.

Bob Shank

Founder/CEO, The Master’s Program

The scene of Moses at the burning bush is iconic: two great discoveries were made at that unmarked spot in the wilderness. He found out who God is. And he discovered who he was. Decades of church involvement—and, thousands of good sermons—have helped me know God better, but left me with scant certainty about who I am, and what that means in focusing my life. Bill Hendricks is speaking for the God of the Bush to anyone who slows down to ponder the power found in The Person Called You. He is among the few who both know God intimately, and have the capability to help others know themselves! 

  

Dr. Gary Cook

President, Dallas Baptist University 

Written in a very personal and warm style, and filled with numerous practical lessons from history, the Bible, and years of experience with clients, Bill Hendricks has written a balanced and thoughtful book on how to discover our unique giftedness and put it to work in meaningful and fulfilling service to God and others. How and when we use that giftedness requires some flexibility and patience, as Hendricks reminds us, and he shows us the importance of respecting the giftedness of others.

  

Andy Mills

Entrepreneur and Former CEO, Thompson Financial and Professional Publishing Group; Vice-Chair, Theology of Work Project; Chairman of the Board and Interim President, King’s College, New York; Co-founder, The Mango Fund

Many people have no meaningful vision for their work. What sort of work should they be doing? What is work all about? Bill Hendricks offers some profound insights into these core questions through this timely book. He’s done a real service in showing us how intimately God is involved in who we are and the work we do. Bill shows us that through our “giftedness" God has provided us with an amazing, objective basis for finding purpose, and direction in meaningful callings. If you’re trying to figure out which way to go in your life and career, I strongly encourage you to read Bill’s book. His message on giftedness is truly life-changing.

  

Dr. Brad Smith

President, Bakke Graduate University

This book is a confidence-builder, not in a hyped-up way, but with solid, practical grounding in a way that will last and grow long after you finish the book. Read The Person Called You to become more comfortable in your own skin, and more understanding of others.

  

Dr. Darrell Bock

Executive Director of Cultural Engagement, The Hendricks Center; Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas, Theological Seminary

The Person Called You is a gift of a book about giftedness. It is for people everywhere. Want to explore what makes you unique and what can drive you in life? What causes giftedness to thrive or fail? How should you think about your gifts and fit at work? How do you fit with others in your life? What about the dark side of knowing your gift? Or Who really owns the gift that is seemingly yours? Then this book will help you discover what can make you an even better YOU for the Father who created you and made you the way you are.

  

Todd Rhoades

Monday Morning Insight; Director of New Media & Technology Initiatives, Leadership Network

Defining your own giftedness is many times difficult. Bill Hendricks’ insight and step-by-step guide to discovering your giftedness will help you in any area of life—personal, academic, family, ministry, business—to determine how to find your distinctive gifts and purpose, and then how to leverage them to become the best you can be. If you’re looking for clarity and purpose, this is the book to read.

  

Dr. David Fletcher

Founder & Host, XPastor

In an eminently readable and provocative work, Bill Hendricks strikes a death blow to the blasé rumors of, “I’m just like everybody else,” and, “Do I really have anything special to offer to myself and others with my life?” Bill celebrates that each person is unique and can be significant. That can be significant is the pivot point though—it is our choice to discover our giftedness. Read the pages and learn!

Matt Carter

Pastor of Preaching & Vision at Austin Stone Community Church; Co-author, The Real Win

Bill’s perspective and stories from his own walk with Jesus bring many fresh insights to a problem we all face: how do we know what God is calling us to do?

  

Cherie Harder

President, The Trinity Forum

The Person Called You is a deeply insightful, conversational, and welcoming guide to discovering one’s giftedness, identity, and vocation. Hendricks distills his practical wisdom from years of counseling and coaching to help readers not only identify and realize their own God-given giftedness, but in understanding its significance, impact, and obligations. A wonderful help for those struggling with their own sense of calling and purpose.

  

Dr. Al Erisman

Executive in Residence & former Director for The Center for Integrity in Business, Seattle Pacific University; Editor, Ethix Magazine

Is there a way to take what you enjoy doing and what you are motivated to do and turn this into a career? Even in an era of globalization and job reduction? Bill Hendricks says yes, but doesn’t stop there. His book offers insight into how we might take personal inventory and then match the results to potential career opportunities. A practical, insightful book that should be read, studied, and applied by recent graduates, mid-career people, and even those contemplating retirement. Bill draws on biblical wisdom, years of career counseling, psychological research, and wonderful personal stories to make this a great read with great wisdom. Don’t miss it!

Kerry Knott

President, C.S. Lewis Institute

Bill’s book is going to change the world by helping people answer the critical question, “What is the purpose of my life?” We all want joy and meaning in our life, but too often we stumble around and settle for much less. This book provides a thoughtful, clear process for determining how God made each of us, and how we can best realize God’s plan for our life.

  

Dr. Mark D. Roberts

Executive Director of Digital Media, The High Calling, H. E. Butt Foundation

I wish I had read The Person Called You when I was twenty. And when I was in my thirties. And when I turned fifty. Yet, now, at fifty-six years of age, I’m grateful to have this book. It has helped me answer a nagging question that just won’t go away: What should I do with my life? I love the way Bill Hendricks advises me to address this question. He is wise, humble, open, biblical, and practical. He is relentlessly encouraging yet relentlessly realistic. He does not offer truisms or gimmicks. Rather, focusing on our unique giftedness and our stories of flourishing, Hendricks helps us discover who we are and what God has made us to do. I’m going to read this book again. I’m going to give it to my wife and adult children. I’m going to have it on hand when people seek my counsel about what they should do with their lives. I’m grateful to Bill Hendricks for sharing his wisdom in such a readable and compelling way.

  

Dr. Becky Paneitz

President & CEO, Inseitz Group; Former President, Northwest Arkansas Community College

Bill Hendricks has a passion for helping individuals identify their gifts—what they are, where did they come from, and how can they make a difference in people’s lives, work, and relationships. As a former community college president and now as someone who mentors young women, I have personally found that most of us do not go through a self assessment to determine our giftedness. Yet, we all seek to find relevance and purpose in our lives. The giftedness assessment that Bill has developed will assist individuals in understanding how to use their gifts to enhance quality of life for themselves as well as for others they will influence throughout their lives. It is my hope that women and men will read this book and will be impacted and compelled to use their gifts to make a difference in their work and their relationships.

  

Robert M. Briggs

President & CEO, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Bill Hendricks knows what makes people tick. I and most of my family have been through his process, as have most of the key executives at my company. Having known him since high school, I can rely on Bill to give me the straight scoop whenever I’ve got a strategic “people question.” So I’m delighted with the release of this book. It grows out of decades of real-world experience with everyday people facing some of the most important decisions in their lives. Bill’s message about giftedness proved to be a godsend for me. I know it will be for you, as well.

  

Dr. David Naugle

Distinguished University Professor & Professor of Philosophy, Dallas Baptist University; Author, Philosophy: A Student’s Guide

Giftedness is often a neglected topic. But no longer with this volume. It contains the author’s lessons of a lifetime on this important subject. It is written with a typical Hendricks flair—it holds your attention, even in our digital age, when attention spans are short. This is one fine book!

  

Dr. Michael Easley

Teaching Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Brentwood, Tennessee; Co-Host, InContext with Michael Easley; Former President, Moody Bible Institute

Well-meaning parents ask their children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” That question, and hundreds of versions of it, seem hard to answer. Conventional wisdom is that high school and college we help us determine, “Who am I? What is my passion? What should I do?” Some of us will need graduate, and maybe postgraduate studies to delay the answer. Truth be known, many of us over 50 daydream, “Is this what I’m really supposed to do? Is this who I am?” Whether you’re asking those questions or helping others navigate the maze, too often the “answers” are found wanting. To make matters worse, we see an endless parade of success stories selling formulas for being “all you ever dreamt you could be.” Convincingly, they show us programs, goals, passions, visions, dreams, and that nebulous “wonderful plan for your life.” But afterward, we’re left with a disappointing aftertaste. Decades ago we were told, “Be thankful for what you’ve got.” Now, if we’re not engaged in some fantastic, “I can change the world and make a lot of money” plan, we feel uncertain and unimportant. Thankfully, Bill explains simply how we can see a clear path to who we are, not what we do. Bill helps us see our unique wiring, to see ourselves through commonsense lenses. When you see yourself clearly, you’ll be surprised how clearly you’ll see. And once in focus, you’ll see how you can be the person you are meant to be.

  

Michael Milton, Ph.D.

Teaching Pastor, Truth in Action Ministries; President and Senior Fellow, D. James Kennedy Institute for Christianity and Culture; Fourth President/Chancellor, Reformed Theological Seminary; Chaplain & Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve

One of the single greatest questions that parents, school counselors, teachers, professors, and pastors must address is the perennial question of vocation. Helping others to discover God’s Ephesians 2:20 place in the sun for their lives is one of the most sought after, challenging, and rewarding things we will ever do. Yet solid, biblically based resources are in short supply. I know of no person more uniquely qualified to, literally, write the book on the subject than my friend, Bill Hendricks. In The Person Called You. Bill has provided us with a well-researched, biblically grounded, scholarly, yet very accessible tool that moves beyond mere diagnostic tests to a genuine theology of vocation. I not only commend this fine volume to the Church with great joy, but do so with a prayer that many will read it and apply the wisdom that Bill teaches. I know that I did, and I believed in what Bill did so much that when my son turned 18, I sent him to Bill too!

  

Dr. Tony Jeffrey

Headmaster, Providence Christian School of

About this edition

• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0802412017
• ISBN 13: 9780802412010
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240