Tradition and Faithfulness.

Why do we do things the way we do? An interesting question to stop and think about sometimes, when you have the time to stop and think, that is. I had the opportunity seven years ago to serve with a group of people to plant a church in Paso Robles where we asked this question in regards to the traditional order of a church service and even church government. How much of what we do at church is mandated in scripture and how much of what we do is traditional? Isn't it interesting how sacred tradition can become? I wonder how many churches have run off a worship leader or pastor who tried to put songs on a projector and get rid of the hymnals?

Methods or traditions in our churches are often the constructs of man that are morally neutral, becoming good or evil based upon the heart of the man or woman who follows them. For instance, music is always a battleground in Christendom. One group will say hymns are the only acceptable way to sing praise to the Lord and another will say that hymns are out dated and only contemporary music is relevant for today's church (for example, remember). I submit to you that both are sinning if they are not singing as to the Lord. Whether we sing an old hymn or new, traditional or not, if it is not sung in faith wholeheartedly to the Lord, it is sinful. God is desirous of true worshipers and not a particular song; the principle then is true worship, the methods may vary. Remember, methods equals tradition; tradition equals methods.

Methods are the means used to minister in various groups and cultures. We see different methods of ministry in scripture; the apostle Paul preached differently in the synagogues than he did at the Areopagus in Athens. Methods are wrong when they are done with improper motives, faithlessly, or directly defy principles found in scripture. King Saul, for instance, became impatient as Samuel was delayed in his arrival and presumptuously offered sacrifices to the Lord. It was good to offer sacrifice to the Lord, if you were a priest, that is. What is the principle? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Saul's sacrifice was a faithless act and in direct defiance to God's law. We have to be careful here in churchdom not to elevate our tradition or distinctive on par with or above the substance of scripture. Ask the Pharisees what Jesus thought of their traditions. Ask ourselves what He may think of ours.