We must never just drift aimlessly ahead nor glibly say, “I am heading for the ‘Glory Land’ so all will be well”. God has given each Christian talents to use and the reason we are still here is that he still has work for us to do. But what we do need to know is that what we are committed to is still valid and effective.

It was in this context that the Challenge Weekly staff met this week. We looked at the year ahead and asked whether Challenge was still needed; whether the Christian Community still needed a paper like Challenge and all that goes with it. To prepare for the meeting I emailed a number of friends, contributors and subscribers. Their responses were most helpful and encouraging.

First of all we recognised the basis on which Challenge was founded. A Christian newspaper to encourage and stimulate us to good works. Not just a denominational, mission or single issue paper, each of which have their role to play, but one that reflects Christians of all persuasions. A paper that demonstrates the reality of Christian faith in the love we have for each other, something that is so different to the carping, criticising from self-aggrandisement that Christians sadly are renowned for.

Then we recognised the significance of a newspaper. So different from a magazine or theological journal. Something so few clearly understand. It runs features, life testimonies and discusses issues affecting the Church and community, but these cannot be endlessly repeated. It makes its point and moves on to the next one.

But the strength of a newspaper is that by highlighting the news of the moment it can illustrate the reality of Christian faith. Christians putting into practice what they believe. Issue after issue, page after page, line after line the truth of the gospel is proclaimed. The wife of a senior journalist once said to me that she didn’t realise the same thing could be said again and again in so many ways.

But it is not all words. We laid across the floor at our meeting copies of the paper showing the changes in style, layout and presentation over the past 40 years. How things have changed. It was agreed that the slightly different page size, colour, better paper, use of photos and the design that had been used make Challenge very readable.

But the crunch question was whether the Christian brand needed a paper like Challenge. The answer was a resounding ‘yes’! Every other group in society has its say and we cannot expect the secular media to present a Christian viewpoint. So, if we don’t, then who will? This is the job God has given us to do — share the good news of the gospel by every means possible. A Christian newspaper is one medium that God chooses to use. Please continue to pray for us, support us and encourage us in this important task.