I’ve been around the church long enough to know that tradition is an interesting subject.  Now, before I say anything more, rest assured, I value tradition.  Without tradition where would we be?  Without the great traditions and history of the church we wouldn’t be where we are today. 

I have also been around long enough to believe that tradition is often confused with truth.  Because our God is the same yesterday, today and forever we seem to think that a change of methods, systems, language, music, etc. is equivalent to changing God’s Word.  It seems that we often value our traditions of how we “do church” as much as we value the Mission God has given us.

Tell me, when did the tradition of reading from and using the King James Version of the Bible begin?

When did the tradition of using pianos and organs for worship music in church begin?

When did the tradition of Sunday School begin?

When did the tradition of and 11:00 Sunday morning worship service begin?

When did the tradition of singing from hymnals begin?

When did the tradition of singing from songs projected on a screen begin?

When did the traditions of Sunday evening and Wednesday evening services begin?

Now be careful.  I am not suggesting all of these things should be changed or done away with.  I am however suggesting that often we consider changing some of these things almost sacrilegious.  It sometimes seems that we tend to value the system or method that we have used to deliver the truth of God as much as we do the truth.  It seems to me there are many things in the average church that are tradition, but people view changing them as tantamount to rewriting God’s Word. 

At the same time, do we sometimes cast aside important tradtions when we could continue to benefit from them?

Hmm.  Let me know what you think.  I have more I want to share on this subject, but for now I have to go.