Today we look at tradition, and thus,
we consider this part of the theory that we are currently examining:
Yet we love to argue, follow tradition and form to avoid spiritual growth…
In the last stop on our journey, we looked at argument and premises and a couple of examples, one from history and one from the present to see how adding to the New Covenant resulted in long-term consequences and how that can lead to conflicts and divisions. Of course, I approached all of this in very general terms, using larger concepts rather than small details, and so I will continue. I also introduced the concept of TWWADI: The Way We’ve Always Done It. I wrote a post some years ago that is called TWAADI: Church Killer, and rather than repeat that all here, I’ve linked to it. The main thrust of that post was how our local church traditions can stifle a congregation. Here I’d like to center more on what I’ve already called “form.” In a post the other day, I mentioned that we like to come up with certain forms so that we can codify that if a person does X, Y and Z, they’ve done all they need to do. Well, this kind of form completely misses the mark, even though it could be “right” in and of itself. Here’s an example:
You are seeking God. A friend invites you to church; you go, you like the experience, like the music and the sermon and they take good care of your kids. The people are great, you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, so you sit down with the Pastor, Minister, Vicar, Priest (or whatever they’re called). He shares with you about the Lord and you say YES! (This is the short version again, please don’t contact me and tell me I left something out) Then the Pastor (or whatever) hands you a handy sheet that lists what you need to do. Maybe it says something like this:
1. State your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior before the congregation.
2. Be Baptized into His Name.
3. Promise to attend three new members classes (schedule attached).
4. Read and pledge to support and observe out Core Values Statement (attached)
5. Tithe 10%
6. Attend Worship regularly
7. Be ready and willing to volunteer to help church programs and activities; get involved.
OK, that’s enough for you to get the picture of what I’m talking about. I’m not taking issue with any of this right now; it’s just a story…
Except for one little thing. How does that new person perceive this?
There are many possibilities, but the biggest in my view, is that you just gave the person a list of 7 things to do to become a Christian, and none of them have moved one single inch from or beyond becoming a Christian. What is there that takes them the rest of the way into discipleship; where is following Jesus in all of this? All we’ve done here is to give them “form” to follow.
Now I know of great churches that do some of this kind of thing, but they never leave it here, and they never give somebody the impression that they just joined a club. but those are rare these days.
When we insist on putting form in the superior position, we have an easy way to handle things, but we are not following Jesus… and do you know why we let this happen?
Because it is intuitive, traditional and the way of this world. We can catch hold of this and never have the need to grow, because everything is already done. That is why I say we’d rather argue, follow tradition and form to avoid spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is naturally uncomfortable, and sometimes a little messy, and requires that we trust God in fact, and not just in word… and we can always alter our premises to justify it.
Well troop, now that we have come to the very brink of “radical,” maybe this is a good place to break.
Let’s have a little review, and then back to the hotel.
What I’ve tried to show you so far are things that cause problems for believers, and some possible reasons. Whether my contention that we tend to do these things because they are intuitive, rather than just follow Jesus because that is counter-intuitive is for you to decide; my mind is pretty well made up already. If you see it differently than I do, fine and dandy.
Next, I’d like us to visit some places where we can see more about what it really means to follow Him, and how that relates to “reaching out.” After that, you will have all that I have to make your conclusion about my theory, and whatever your decision turns out to be, I will pose three questions for you to consider. They are the three big questions of Applied Theology really, but don’t be concerned, they are really easy. They are:
1. Is God speaking to you in this study?
2. If He is, what is He telling you?
3. What are you going to do about it?
Life Project Blog 
Thanks for this, Don. It brought back a few sweet personal remembrances I’d like to share. No criticism of any kind. 😊
My earliest memory is of being in church, probably about age 3 or 4. I was standing in a first floor (basement) hallway about to go up a flight of stairs to the main floor and church sanctuary, at First Baptist Church in Florence, SC. I was clutching a paper with a Bible picture and verse on it, one I assume my teacher had given us in Sunday School that morning.
My daddy was a member of that church, as were other members of his family (parents, siblings, etc.). However, my mother’s family were not Baptists. They were Methodists. And so, following the 10 AM Sunday School class each week, our family walked together one block down the street to Central Methodist Church for the 11 AM service. (We had a car; however, since both churches were only a few blocks from where we lived, we usually walked.)
The music was wonderful. Both churches had large memberships, large choirs, pipe organs and pianos, and sang wonderful hymns and songs. I practically memorized the words and music to all the traditional church music.
However, after some time, one Sunday we didn’t go to either one of those churches. We went to a new nondenominational group that was meeting in the basement of the local Masonic Lodge, a couple of blocks away. (Still walking distance.) It was called The Bible Chapel, and my parents were close friends with the pastor and his wife. Eventually they moved to a regular church building, still just a few walkable blocks away; after a few years they built a church building a few miles away (one we had to drive to).
Traditional church services there? Not completely. Services were more contemporary. There were still a few hymns, but many more Bible choruses and songs. No pipe organ or organ of any size at that time; an older woman played the upright piano with gusto, much like Liberace used to do. While I had loved the music at the other churches, I truly, genuinely, adored THIS music. (Eventually I became a church pianist and organist myself.)
The sermons were much the same, the Sunday School classes were much the same, all truly Bible-based, and the pastors and teachers were likewise loving, friendly, and approachable (and huggable, too).
So why the switch? Why did my parents want to change churches? Well, their decision was to attend, support, worship and work in ONE church and not divide their support, time and money.
And there was one other very important difference, although I didn’t realize it at that young age: both my parents were put to work in this new church. The other churches had been so large, they were fully supplied with teachers for every age group; newcomers attended classes, but that’s all they could ever do for a long, long time. They could do some sort of volunteer work when special meetings were held, maybe, drive teenagers to events, etc., etc. But they themselves weren’t asked to teach kids, or teens, or adults, or senior citizens, etc., etc. because there were already plenty of other people to do that.
At the new church, however, (after being “vetted” I guess) they were asked to pitch right in, teach a class, get involved in actual ministry themselves. And they did.
Not only them, but as we got older my brother and I were encouraged to get involved somewhere also. That’s how we both wound up being church musicians, me on piano / organ, my brother on violin.
I have no problem with many traditions, Don. Church on Sunday, Sunday School and Training Union Classes, Wednesday Bible studies, revival services, etc., etc. But sometimes “change” is advisable for good reason, personal spiritual growth, discipleship, and especially training in ministry.
Have a wonderfully blessed day and week! Keep up the good work, studying, writing, and letting us share in your thoughts.
Bette Cox
https://BetteCox.com
https://EsthersPetition.Wordpress.com
Hey Bette! What a great testimony! I couldn’t agree more, and I’ve had some similar experiences myself. It’s a funny thing about church traditions: The overwhelming majority of them are good, many are very good. The problem comes along when the people change the way they look at those traditions, and the traditions assume (in the minds of people) a much higher priority than they were ever intended to have. The result, and I’m sure you’ve seen this as well, is that that congregation is more about form than substance, leaving our Lord in second place.
I could tell stories about churches, of many denominations, where this had happened and where the doors were closed for the last time. It’s a sad and tragic business, to be sure.
Thank you for sharing this Bette!