Preaching to the choir

I was in a meeting the other day when, in the course of a fairly difficult discussion, one member of the group observed to another, "You're preaching to the choir!" In this way, she was saying that the folks around the table were of the same mind, committed to the same goals, but because of the sensitive nature of the conversaiton, it seemed as if folks were in disagreement. The other side of the coin, though, is that sometimes (despite our shared commitments and goals), we all need a reminder of what is most basic and most true. In church circles we find ourselves often "preaching to the choir."

In his book The Continuing Conversion of the Church, Darrell L. Guder notes that churches of the Reformed tradition (such as mine) emphasize that "the church once reformed is always in the process of being reformed according to the Word of God." But he suggests something more is needed. "It might well be, however, that reforming is not enough... It might be evidence of greater spiritual honesty if we were to describe ourselves as churches continually needing conversion." Those of us in "the choir," those of us who are committed members of the Body of Christ, disciples of Jesus, still need to be constantly called to follow the One who leads us in mission, service, obedience and abundant life. Unless we are submitted to the continual conversion offered us in the Spirit -- the process we often think of as growth in grace -- our witness to others will be water-thin.