Preaching to the Choir

Although it takes many different forms within our culture, most Christians believe that they have some responsibility to evangelize (usually characterized as preaching the gospel or trying to convert/save nonbelievers). Nevertheless, in practice, many Christians engage in what is commonly known as "preaching to the choir." In other words, many Christians tend to inhabit their own little self-reinforcing bubble. They hang around like-minded folks and talk to each other about their shared values and beliefs. Unfortunately, we can readily see that this type of behavior is really not consistent with the notion of evangelism.

Evangelism is by its very nature outward looking - reaching out to folks who do not share our beliefs, outlook, nature, traditions or language. Christ sent his disciples into the world with his message and suggested that they would be baptizing new folks into his church as a consequence of this activity (see Matthew 28:29-30). Indeed, Christ himself always reached out to the sinners, uneducated and plebian folks of his day. He also made a point of conversing with people who did not share his outlook or faith.

Christ said that "They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (see Luke 5:31-32) For Jesus, it was all about seeking out those who were lost (see Luke 15:1-10). When his ministry was finished, Christ didn't ask God to take his disciples out of the world - he asked God to protect them from the evil that existed in the world (see John 17:15). And, once again, he prayed in that fashion because he was sending them into the world (see John 17:18).

Pastors today wonder why their churches are withering away and not growing. Some are content to blame it on Satan. Others suggest that the people of the world are just too wicked and secular today and imply that folks aren't as receptive to Christ's message now as they were in times past. Is it possible that many Christians today are just not confident enough to step outside of their comfort zone and reach out to folks who do not agree with them? Many Christians seem to feel like evangelizing is all about pointing out people's faults and sins and showing them that they are wrong and stand condemned in their present state, but didn't Christ say that he didn't come to condemn but to save? (see John 3:17)

Preaching to the choir might be self-satisfying, but what does it really accomplish? I may be wrong, but it feels more like spinning our wheels to me! What do you think?