Journalists love to ask my opinion about politics. I always decline to comment. I won’t even tell them how I’m registered to vote.

When I’m interviewed by the media, they often ask about my opportunities to speak about the Good News of Jesus Christ with presidents, prime ministers, parliaments, and royalty. In my early years, I thought that if I could convert them, somehow we would change nations. But that’s not how the Good News works.

When it comes to God, the Bible, the Church, and the Good News of Jesus Christ, a lot of Christians talk nostalgically about the “good old days.” They idolize past generations as more faithful than ours.

Some people like to cite bad news headlines about the state of the Church and then ask if I’m wringing my hands these days. My honest answer is: I feel a great deal of hope.