[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

339.0. "On "preaching to the choir"" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Passionate Peace) Thu Nov 07 1991 22:15

What are your thoughts about "preaching to the choir," that is, convincing
the convinced or evangelizing among the evangelized?  How prevalent is
this practice where you most regularly worship?  What are the pluses and
minuses to it?

Peace,
Richard
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
339.1More prophetic than pastoralCSC32::J_CHRISTIEPassionate PeaceFri Nov 08 1991 22:4114
One day several years ago during worship, a realization came over me that
the words being spoken were merely utterances of reinforcement.  New ground
was never broken.  No one sought to explore ancient concepts or teachings
to new, and possibly uncomfortable, depths (or heights).

It came to me that this was a signal for me.  It was time for me to find a
church that was more open to stretching itself spiritually.  I believe I
have been Divinely led to two different churches since that initial
realization.  And in doing so I believe I've been put to use, not for the
purpose of "preaching to the choir," but rather for the purpose of
relentlessly challenging the church to be the church.

Peace,
Richard
339.2The Choir needs saving too!SWAM1::DOTHARD_STPLAYTOETue Nov 12 1991 15:2823
    RE: 1
    
    When I think of "preaching to the choir", I think of Frederick Price,
    of Crenshaw Christian Center...I'm sure you've all heard of him RIGHT!
    
    Anyway, he often preaches to his choir...this is the "literal" sense of
    this phrase.
    
    Been in a non-literal sense, I would imagine that Paul's letters to the
    churches, represent "preaching to the choir".  And, in general, the
    meaning of Jesus' statement, "Feed MY flock", would encompass
    "preaching to the choir"... 
    
    Perhaps, however, the negatives associated with the event, in modern
    times, is that most often the choir has heard that sermon before,
    especially if the preaching is the kind that writes his sermons and
    files them and recycles them every now and then.
    
    And if that's the case, I'd imagine that when the recycled sermons
    begin to emerge for a member it would indeed be time to move on...
    
    Playtoe
    Playtoe