Do We Preach the Gospel?
StoryHistorical Account★★★★Karl Barth former students visited the famous theologian and proudly reported how large crowds were coming to hear him preach. Barth is said to have responded, “Then you must not be preaching the gospel!”
Effective ministry is not always counted quantitatively. The crowds left Jesus when he said they must eat the bread of life.
The Rich Young Ruler did not follow Jesus because the discipleship was too costly. How do we define successful ministry? Do we preach the gospel? (Mark 10:17-22; John 6:66) (Discipleship, Ministry) (CDW) During his only visit to the United States, the eminent Swiss theologian Karl Barth lectured at Union Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. After his formal address, he engaged in some informal conversation with the students.
One young man asked Barth if he could state the core of what he believed. Barth took a moment to light his pipe, and then, as the smoke drifted away, he replied, “Yes, I think I can summarize my theology in these words: Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’ ””6’ (John 3:16; Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:9) (God’s Love) (JAW)
The point
Karl Barth reportedly told students that large crowds indicated they were not preaching the gospel, prompting a reflection on whether ministry success should be measured quantitatively. The crowds left Jesus over the bread of life and the rich young ruler balked at the cost of discipleship, showing that following Jesus is not about popularity.