If you are reading my blog, it will not take long to discover which university I attended. I had a great time at Texas A&M, and God did amazing things in my life while there. One of the most exciting things about A&M is all of its historic traditions. For example, the student body stands up throughout the football game in order to represent the 12th man and to signal to the coach ones readiness to participate in the game if needed. I don't know of another school that does something like this.
Living out a tradition can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. I believe this is true in life as well as within churches today. If a tradition is a detriment to fulfilling an overarching purpose, then the tradition must be set aside for the betterment of the organization, and yes this does apply to church life today.
I believe Paul expressed this same sentiment when talking to the churches in Galatia. He was rather upset with some of the church leaders because they had come into the churches and were leading them to embrace traditions that were not biblical. Paul, however, did not simply cast stones at them, but rather tried to lead them by relating to them. He said that when he was trying to please men more than God, he was advancing in his leadership. But his advancement and leadership was based on "ancestral traditions" (Gal. 1:14). Traditions had become more important to Paul that biblical truth.
What are the traditions of your church? As you think about the answer to this question, ask yourself another question. Are the traditions of my church built on the word of God or on personal preferences? Now, I am not advocating that you remove all traditions and label them bad. I am, however, advocating a critical reflections upon our traditions and seeking to discover if they are preferences or biblical mandates.
When we find traditions that are biblical mandates, we must hold to them with all that we are. When we find traditions that are personal preferences, we must be willing to let them go in order to reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. When preferences win the day, we are communicating to those around us and to our Father, that our preferences are more important than people.
Father, give us the courage to evaluate our traditions. When we find these traditions in your word, help us to hold onto them. When we realize they are personal preferences, help us to let them go.
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