Good News or the Gospel?

The term ‘Gospel’ is well known in Christian circles. It is a word that is rarely used outside the Church. It simply means Good News. The question then arises as to why so many in our community do not think the Church has Good News?

Yes, we do have ‘Good News’! It is truly fantastic news! The news we have is of abundant life, eternal life and a fulfilled life. Why is it then that so many people in our society have a perception of the Church as being irrelevant and out of touch? Many of us cringe when the media reports on ‘the church’ as a place where abuse takes place and a message that is irrelevant is presented. Sadly, much of ‘the church’ that our society sees is in fact irrelevant and has a range of issues that have undermined the values that should be the hallmark of a vibrant group of Christian people.

This is the reason why the Church needs a constant renewing of its faith, passion, values and practices as we find clearly presented in the Bible. Whilst we know there are many good people throughout many of the ‘traditional churches’ – we are also saddened by the fact that much of the Church is in fact spiritually dry, dead and irrelevant.

As a young man raised in a ‘traditional church’ I became aware of the ‘dryness’ of the christianity I saw in the church I knew. However, a search for reality did not leave me without hope. As my search continued, I discovered, and then experienced, the most wonderful and deeply satisfying encounter with the Spirit of God – which radically changed my life. Since that time it has been my great joy to continue to live in the experience of knowing the reality of the Living Christ. Yes, I know it is subjective! I know I cannot show God to you with my five natural senses. But, let me assure you His life and power is Good News.

The challenge for all Christians who have a vibrant living relationship with Christ is to effectively communicate the Good News with our community.

We do not achieve this by ‘forcing the Bible on people’, but, by living our lives in a vibrant, wholesome and joyous way that truly is the evidence that our experience with Jesus Christ is Good News!

Neil Milne

Senior Pastor, Neil Milne

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