The gospel is on life support, struggling to recover from the self-inflicted wounds of individualism, reductionism and legalism. We have a warped view of self, a narrow view of sin, and a deficient view of grace. The result is a culture of Christians who believe God exists to serve them, Jesus died to fix them, and the Church was created to protect them.

The communal nature of the gospel (I came that they – my sheep – might have life) has been rejected for a more nominal, individual expression of its power. The gospel of “me” is now the filter through which I make decisions, declare commitments and determine participation in the life of the body. We need to get out the paddles and shock the patient back to life. I have great hope that can and is happening, as evidenced by the movements we have seen the last 10 years or so.

Todd Hunter, in his latest book Christianity Beyond Belief, is helping my group reframe the gospel by redefining salvation and discipleship. “We are cooperative friends of Jesus, living in creative goodness, for the sake of others, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” I love that.  Hunter calls us to align our story with God’s story, and to do this in community. “Churches don’t need newer or larger buildings…Nor do they need more staff, parking or nursery space. What they need is a clear vision to be the sent people of God.”

We have lost the life-on-life power of the gospel, shielding ourselves behind our Bibles, programs, activities and events from the pain and promise of authentic community with God, His Church and the world. I am hope-filled that as we gather in little communities we can declare a new reality, one that breathes life back into our “presentation” of the gospel. Our groups can become “outposts” for the Kingdom, where people find community, compassion and hope. And then maybe the gospel will begin to have its full impact, and we can take it off life support.