Tradition

Tradition makes us feel secure, in control, unmoved, steady and safe. I have traditions in my life and family that I am very affectionate toward. Here are a few traditions that can always be counted on in my family and in my church:

- My kids can count on it that when dad has a day off, he's going to fix breakfast, and it will be GREAT!
- My wife can count on it that I'm going to take an entire week to celebrate her birthday and Valentines Day during the second week of February.
- My congregation can count on it that we'll have a variety of coffees to choose from each and every Sunday morning (along with Krispy Kreme!).
- Everyone can count on it that I will celebrate Christmas with gusto and enthusiasm at both my home and at the church.

So, I guess you could say that I enjoy tradition. Its like an anchor.

Yet, on the other hand, I tend to resist tradition. Thus, the paradox.


The Dictionary On Tradition:

Encarta Dictionary defines tradition as a long established action or pattern of behavior. So, what's wrong with that? Nothing really. In its most simple form, tradition can be rewarding. The truth is, if I broke from any of the traditions I listed above, I'd have a riot on my hands. And, I like my traditions and hate riots!

My issue with tradition is that it can characterize us as something we're really not. For example, based upon my traditions listed in this article, you might see me as a guy who believes that the world revolves around breakfast, coffee, and parties. And that is a tainted perception of me. In other words, my traditions become my identity.

This can become very dangerous in the churches we lead because quite often, without even realizing it, we elevate our traditions to the same plane as the Word of God, and sometimes even above it!

In my ministry, I've personally witnessed many traditions, that when challenged, resulted in outbursts of anger, hysteria, gossip, and panic. All in an impassioned desire to preserve a tradition of man.

Some of the challenged traditions that I've witnessed through the years in both my dad's church and in my church are:
- eliminating hymnals and using media screens
- changing the color of the carpet or wall paint
- altering the order of service
- making changes in the church bylaws
- starting small groups
- allowing low impact, high maintenance ministries to die
- styles of music
- styles of clothing
- changing service times
- changing staff members

Sound familiar?! We laugh at these, but they're true none-the-less.

The traditional mentality is, "Let's not change. Instead, let's stick to our heritage and focus on our distinctives and our differences with other Christians. For in this, we'll feel secure, steady, anchored and safe." The end result, though, is death.

Jesus On Tradition:

Jesus broke tradition and was established in the minds of the "religious elite" as a rebel.

The Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your
disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their
food with 'unclean' hands?" He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied
about you hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are
but rules taught by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are
holding on to the traditions of men." And he said to them: "You have a
fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!" (Mark 7:5-10 NIV)

Paul On Tradition:

The most radical transformation of a traditionalist in the Bible is seen in Paul. In his writings, we see his new approach to the dangers of an undue affection for tradition, heritage, and man-made principles.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,
which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather
than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8 NIV)

You have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted
the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond
many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:13-14 NIV)

My Experience With Tradition:

Last week, I went to The Netherlands on a prayer journey with a team of intercessors. We met up with an American missionary friend of mine (Kent Linneweh) who has committed his life to help re-launch the church of Jesus Christ in that nation. The war that the church of The Netherlands is fighting is against the perceived irrelevance of Jesus Christ to contemporary society.

By far, the great majority of these wonderful people see Jesus through the paradigm of the historical Dutch church. THAT Jesus is full of cold, dry tradition, lacking power, substance, and of course, relevance. Thus, most of the old church buildings are no longer operating as ministery centers, but as museums and facilities to be rented for civic events. In other words, their tradition has made JESUS appear to be irrelevant, and the church is now virtually comatose.

I encourage you to go to my other blog and read the article entitled, Amsterdam 2006: The Experience. Hopefully, it will challenge you to to look beyond the traditions of today and gaze into the reality of what Jesus wants the church to be...and then begin leading the church forward into that reality!

It's all about becoming more like Jesus, living lives rooted and grounded in love, and making THAT Jesus known to the world.