The Church can grow because the world needs the good news of Jesus Christ.

However, in reality, Church of England attendance continues to decline. Less than half the 2021 census respondents described themselves as “Christian”. The Church, therefore, needs to reconsider its mission and evangelism. This paper proposes a radical new way forward – literally “radical” in terms of returning to its roots – so that it can rediscover its confidence in the relevance of the good news.

Problem and Solution

The Gospels describe the ministry of Jesus as “good news” (e.g., Matt 9.35). All who met Jesus found good news. This gospel came in many forms, including healing (e.g., Luke 6.18), forgiveness (e.g., Mark 2.5), physical nourishment (e.g., Matt 14,21), deliverance from death (John 8.11) and the promise of a place in paradise (Luke 23.43).

On the other hand, there is much about today’s Church which does not seem like good news: historic wrongs, contemporary divisions and a perceived lack of relevance. It is fair to ask: Why is Jesus Christ good news for climate change, the war in Ukraine, racial injustice, artificial intelligence, disinformation, personal identity – or any of the issues that face people in their everyday lives such as rising prices? It is not always clear. At the same time, twenty-first century concerns go largely unaddressed by the Church’s preaching on the forgiveness of sins, eternal life or Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. Even the message that “God loves you” can lose its potency, becoming little more than an empty slogan.

What is needed is a renewed focus on the good news of Jesus Christ as we seek to proclaim the Gospel afresh in our generation. At the same time, we must relate Christian faith to the issues, concerns and peoples of our age. The task requires theology, communication and practical action. First, we need boldly imaginative theology to re-present our beliefs using contemporary ideas, images and metaphors. We then need ways to communicate the good news so that it cogently addresses the real issues. Practically, we need to live out this good news in our actions and priorities. This is no small task.

You can read the rest of my proposal here.