[2] It was first included in the Iona Community's Heaven Shall Not Wait: Songs of Creation, the Incarnation, and the Life of Jesus, published by their Wild Goose Resource Group in 1987.
[3][4] It also appears in “Wonder, Love, and Praise,” the addendum hymnal of the Episcopal Church (United States) and "The Faith We Sing", a supplemental hymnal of the United Methodist Church.
"The Summons" is set to the tune of Kelvingrove, a traditional Scottish melody.
[1] The hymn is based on Mark 1:16–20 and alludes to Jesus calling his disciples to follow him.
[2] It has been used as an example of how a Christian should react to fear and love[7] as well as being written as an example of covenantal discipleship.