"This is the way we've always done it." The last words of countless dying churches and other para-church ministries. Dying in two ways, one the are dying because their numbers are growing smaller and the cannot afford to keep the doors open any longer and dying because the have become cold and callous towards those whom the proclaim the are trying to reach with the gospel.
However, I am fearful and disgusted by many man made traditions that many churches hold to. I find that often times churches have forgotten the words and encouragement of Paul to "become all things in order to save a few" (1st Corinthians 9:22); and instead often times they expect all people to conform to our practices.
I am not going to use this forum to decry any particular practices of any particular church, because each church needs to look at itself and ask the question why do we do what we do. I will, however, take the opportunity to prescribe the antidote for the sinful practice of traditionalism. I believe that the reason that most churches hold fast to tradition rather than contextualize their practices is because they have forgotten who the audience is on Sunday mornings (or any other worship service for that matter).
Let me explain. When we gather in God's house, whether it be Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, or any other time for that matter; we are gathering to adore, praise, worship, and thank God the Father for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon us. We are not there for ourselves, we are there for God. He is the audience, we are not! I fear, in fact I have seen many feel that church is mainly for them, that they are there to receive something. And it is for that reason that they are quick to hold on to traditions, because it is what comforts them, it is what pleases them. Indeed, tradition, is what gives some their worth.
As I have already said, I am not against all tradition. Many traditions are very much beneficial to the individual as well as the Bride of Christ as a whole. While there may not be anything sinful in our practices in and of themselves, I worry that we have forgotten that we are to esteem others above ourselves and that could very well mean that we need to set aside practicing our favorite things (as long as they are not actual commandments) in order that we might include those to whom our traditions mean next to nothing and have wonderful fellowship with one another, particularly the unchurched.
I want to end this entry with a quote from a man who was a greater pastor/preacher than I will ever be. This man's lecture series which became published under the title Preaching and Preachers has been invaluable to me and it is from this book that this quote comes. In it Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones also addresses the idol of traditionalism, and he says this, "How different the state of our churches would be if we were all as concerned to be orthodox in our beliefs as we are to be orthodox in our conformity to 'the thing to do' and 'the done thing' in the churches."
4 comments:
Interesting thoughts! I'm not entirely convinced about your first couple sentences, though. I've been a part of a "dying" church (it's now "dead" if you want to call it that...however, so are the first-century churches...but, like the 1st-c. churches their members are dispersed and serving elsewhere, so I'm not sure "dead" is a great term. Certainly the church's physical doors are closed - wait, not even that, a different group meets there now...well anyways..). My point is that, while it certainly appeared to be "dying" (older congregation, small and losing members) they were very open to changing things and not at all the closed-minded caricature that one often thinks of as members of a "dying" church.
Certainly there are people who hold to those mindsets. I've been examining myself lately as we're in the process of calling a new pastor, and found several such things in my own self. I just don't know that "traditions" are to blame for "dying churches" any more than myriad other reasons. The "average" church lives for about 75 yrs. and we are fortunate that the Gospel lives beyond the temporary walls we construct.
Glad you posted!
Oh, that's Meghan by the way, let me sign in a different way. :)
I certainly did not mean that the only reason that churches close the door is because of their own man made traditions, though I would contend it certainly has played a part in the demise of many churches.
No, no, I didn't take it as you meant "the only reason." You came on pretty strong, however, at the beginning of that post with the "idol of traditionalism" being the downfall of many dying churches who are filled with cold and callous holdouts. Hmm.
I've only had personal experience with one dying church (although I've certainly heard of others who were inflexible) but I have a hard time imagining any church members who are so calloused and attached to their "sinful practice of traditionalism" that they'd rather see their doors close than give an inch.
I didn't watch the whole vid you posted before, but I liked the idea on the blog of a balance between piety and confessionalism.
Ahhh, ok, read the blog post on that site about "tradition vs. traditionalism" and can see a bit more what you're meaning by the words. Not sure I agree with the way they've defined "traditionalism" but it might help your reader to link to that and/or give a deeper definition. Calling something a "sin" and that you're "fearful and disgusted" with something is pretty big when you're then not defining it and choosing not to name what types of practices to which you're referring. It ends up being more vague and accusatory than I think you're meaning.
Your main point, however, of not letting our love of tradition/alism getting in the way of the Gospel and ministry is very, very true.
Thanks for the dialogue!
(I'm going to continue to use this as my "canadiyank" account, since I can then get follow-up emails sent.)
Post a Comment