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Those of us raised in a good, strong church background are forever stamped with the traditions that we learned as a child. They range from the benign (holding services at a certain time on a certain day) to what we think is a “normal” kind of service (quiet, structured, loose, exuberant, etc.) to how we believe things should be decided and worked out in a congregation. As the pastor of a one year old congregation I find myself thinking of traditions often. The things that our new congregation chooses to do on a regular basis as we grow and congeal will soon become tradition. I have learned that some traditions are good and to be treasured – and others can stand in the way of God. It’s easy to find comfort in tradition, and some folks will never challenge it because of that. However, tradition isn’t always truth! Truth is what the Bible says. For example, the Bible exhorts “Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…” (Heb. 10:25). The commandment is obvious – believers should assemble together on a regular basis with other believers and help each other with exhortations. That is truth. But how often should they meet together? What kind of meetings should they be? Tradition is how your church interprets that. The scary part is when tradition is held higher than truth by those in authority. Jesus railed against this in his ministry. In Matthew 23, Jesus said “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” EIGHT times (v. 13-30), clearly pointing out that tradition had misplaced truth as the foundation of what they preached. Don’t accept tradition at face value, folks. Search out God’s truth for yourself. Be willing to adopt it and live it – even if it contradicts what tradition has taught you. Learn the difference between the two – it could mean the difference between heaven and hell. Truth is God… tradition is man. When they don’t agree I believe that truth should trump tradition, every time. So, truth or tradition? Do they always agree? What if you learn of truth that disagrees with a tradition in your church? What will you do then? It’s easy to say “Oh, I always side with truth”. But what if disclosing that truth upsets tradition and the people that choose to guard it, regardless? Are you willing to bear the scars from fighting that battle? Which will you choose? Rev. Gary Collier is pastor at Christ’s Sanctified Holy Church located at 791 White Pond Rd. He can be reached at garybcollier@gmail.com or by calling 854-3003. You may access and share “Gary’s Musings” by going to www.cshcl.com . Archived Gary's Musing Click Here
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Gary's
Musings