Syndicated Columnist and Radio Talk Show Host Dennis Prager is on a quest for goodness. I recently heard him say that goodness grows one person at a time. Evil, on the other hand, can and most often does happens in mass.

While this is not an absolute, it got me to thinking about how we Jesus people try to change the world. We believe and have practiced mass evangelism, hundreds, even thousands of people have been known to "trust Christ" in a single meeting.

Let's say that it is possible to get large groups of people started with Christ in mass. But is it possible to make them "good" except in a more personal way? I use the word "good" here in a broader way than Paul does as one of the characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22,23.

Jesus commanded us to make disciples, first baptize them, second, teach them. Not just teach them a starter course, but to teach them everything Christ had commanded. This is about a life long process than doesn't end until we move on to the next life.

So Prager has a point, it requires ongoing personal apprenticeship to Jesus with others of kindred spirit. The Church's goodness is in question, many unbelievers surveyed see Christians as mean, judgmental, and uncaring toward the homeless, the hungry, and the oppressed.

It may be true they are looking for an excuse not to bow the knee, but could there be some truth in their observation? It takes patience to be a serious disciple maker. Impatience is the church's most common denominator, it causes us to rush and hurry in order to be successful.

In the end we fail on all fronts, we don't have the numbers we want, nor the goodness that God desires. So take a deep breath, now what to do?

Give up the struggle to make it all work, take time to listen to God. Learn to drink deeply, reorganize your life around the practices of Jesus, let it take affect.

It could be that goodness will emerge in some surprising ways, then it will affect your family, your friends, your associates, and if you are a pastor, your church. I know it is slow, but then that is how goodness changes society. It is what Dallas Willard wrote about, the Divine Conspiracy, over coming evil with good.