Evangelism, discipleship and the Kingdom of God

What good is 'good news' that never comes to pass? I have heard many wonderful sermons about God's Kingdom. Sadly I have encountered far fewer 'good news' communities and Churches - groups of disciples who seek to be agents of God's good news. I am convinced that our mission is to do what Jesus himself came to do. Christians are called to establish God's Kingdom of loving and transforming grace in tangible and practical ways.

The following quote (via @invisibleforeigner) resonates strongly with me:

“If the Good News is the presence of the kingdom of God, then ‘evangelism’ is much more than ‘saving souls.’ Evangelism means sharing and showing to the world how to realistically, faithfully, and creatively respond to the real needs of the world laboring under ongoing rebellion. Evangelism means living according to the ways of the kingdom of God and inviting others to join us on the way. Evangelism is not selling Jesus, but showing Jesus; evangelism is not mere telling about Christ, but about being Christ.”

— Lee Camp, Mere Discipleship

Of course there are many wonderful Christian communities and groups that are visible expressions of God's 'good news'. I want to be part of such a community!

Comments

[Brad]

Agree completely - we become Christ, step by step, and demonstrate that selfless love, and that will touch the hearts of those around us; and we don't hide the reason for our faith, ie, whatever evidence and experiences we can share with those around us. And I am seeing evidence everywhere I look, lately. Evidence for the existence of God. The other point I want to respond to is that yes, there are few groups of disciples giving good news, and we could even say there are few disciples in the original since, ie, people trying to imitate their master, ie, Christ. Where is the discipleship in the church today?