Tradition in the church setting

[Ddavid from NC]

The current vibe in many churches is the breaking of long held traditions. The statement "God is doing a new thing" is heard often, while it sounds spiritual it usually represents a desire to be non-traditional in their approach to doing church. Is "traditional" wrong? Is dismissing all things "traditional" wrong? Or should there be a filtering through "traditions" for the viable and dismissing the meaningless or incorrect ones?

[XianGothDude]

Well I believe, that tradition is meant to draw one closer to God, but that of course can easily become "ritual" and ritualism can only push one away from God and that I think is what needs to be done away with, the whole concept of "God is a doing a new thing" thats unbibiblical; that mentality right there is cultic and dangerous, so no God isn't doing a "new thing" with church simply doing away with ritual not tradition. Does that make sense?

[Marnie]

Good post.

I would say tradition and ritual are both good as long as the meaning behind the practices are not lost. Human beings need a certain amount of tradition and ritual, they help us to focus and give a sense of continuity and connectivity from generation to generation.

[Honeybee88]

Good post.

I would say tradition and ritual are both good as long as the meaning behind the practices are not lost. Human beings need a certain amount of tradition and ritual, they help us to focus and give a sense of continuity and connectivity from generation to generation.

[GymRose]

During the last few years I came to the point of asking,"Why do we do Church as we do?"

As I started to learn the history of the Christian church I found so much of Roman political settings and practices wrapped up in Christianity..... But then on the other hand, the reason I was questioning was that of the church splits I had endured through and the "professionalism" of the Sunday church service in particular the "professionalism" of Worship as well as the "professionalism" of those in leadership.

For the last 15 years I have been a part of the Pentecostal Churchand what I saw before leaving was that it was more about getting someone to say the Sinners Prayer, the ritual of it if you like. You look at these Mega Churches, in particular those proclaiming to be the youthful ones, the number they have at an Alter Call are staggering.... But, how many are performing the ritual due to the ambience and how many are moved by heart? I am no one to judge, whatever goes on in someones heart is between them and God, however the question remains.

Personally I think ritual can be good in context, such as the ritual of when you pray and when you study etc, how you do those things, but when rital becomes empty ritual or just doing something because it has always been done that way, that is when the ritual becomes and idol.

The new thing movement "in" church walls I have been seriously wounded by as I have seen many, many others including my teenage son. The new thing movement outside of the church walls is a different thing altogether because people are tired of "doing church" for doing church sake and seeking God in a different way to our modern church in the walls, what I have seen is people wanting to know God through an old way.

If you take away ritual and you take away the new thing..... It is what is left that matters. Is it a heart that LOOOOONGS for God without all these things simply because He is God..... Lord of ALL ??? or Do you just walk away and cease to be in relationship with God ???

[Elbit Pada]

I don't have a problem with "a new thing" because for me it doesn't matter if it's a new or old church or what tradition the service is done in ... or if its in a movie theatre or in a restaurant (in our town we have 1 in each). As long as the pastor is preaching the Word and its done in truth.

I have often wondered why do we do the service this way anyway. I probably ask this question because with my personality type I love change and to look for different ways to do things, some people call it "thinking outside the box". (which I definitely do)

I believe the "tide" of the people that we are trying to reach cannot be reached with "1800 or so" traditions -- they just don't apply to the world they live in. Please don't jump on me about the Bible and God not changing ... I know all that I simply mean the MAN MADE traditions. Really, can you imagine when the church changed from 'chants' to actually singing hymns ( ) I would imagine that there where oodles of people that where up in arms about changing THAT tradition!!

What I have found in scripture is that Jesus usually met the 'people' outside ... I say AMEN to THAT

... lets create new tradition and all summer have church outside!!

I have more to say ... but I have to go do my afternoon tradition, which is make supper for my hubby

[Trusting Jesus]

Good question. Too many churches have traditions that have nothing to do with Biblical teaching. Those traditions need to be broken. But, on the other hand, New Age and Emerging Church heresies have no place in a Christian Church.

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Nathele

[Elbit Pada]

Good question. Too many churches have traditions that have nothing to do with Biblical teaching. Those traditions need to be broken. But, on the other hand, New Age and Emerging Church heresies have no place in a Christian Church.

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Nathele

AMEN ... actually, Jesus said He didn't care, as long as the name of God was preached ... what difference does it make what the motive is

... IMO people walk too much in fear and not in God's total and ABSOLUTE power over everything He created ... they get all 'bent' ... really, aren't we living in a 'politically correct' world now ... shouldn't the churches reflect that also ... I say scrap all the traditions of the 'old guard' and lets 'redefine' church (not God or the trinity) just the traditions of man, sounds like a great idea ... I've got an idea for a "generation X" church ... only meet once a month for the WHOLE day!!! (i'd go to that church)

... of course there'd have to be a pot luck for food right? (ok lets keep 1 of the old traditions)

[Guest Biblicist]

The current vibe in many churches is the breaking of long held traditions. The statement "God is doing a new thing" is heard often, while it sounds spiritual it usually represents a desire to be non-traditional in their approach to doing church. Is "traditional" wrong? Is dismissing all things "traditional" wrong? Or should there be a filtering through "traditions" for the viable and dismissing the meaningless or incorrect ones?

What traditions are we talking about?

I like tradition....

Because of our traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything... How to sleep, how to eat... how to work... how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered, and always wear a little prayer shawl that shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, "How did this tradition get started?" I'll tell you!

[pause] I don't know. But it's a tradition... and because of our traditions... Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.

[TEVYE]

Tradition, tradition! Tradition!

Tradition, tradition! Tradition!

[TEVYE & PAPAS]

Who, day and night, must scramble for a living,

Feed a wife and children, say his daily prayers?

And who has the right, as master of the house,

To have the final word at home?

The Papa, the Papa! Tradition.

The Papa, the Papa! Tradition.

[GOLDE & MAMAS]

Who must know the way to make a proper home,

A quiet home, a kosher home?

Who must raise the family and run the home,

So Papa's free to read the holy books?

The Mama, the Mama! Tradition!

The Mama, the Mama! Tradition!

[sONS]

At three, I started Hebrew school. At ten, I learned a trade.

I hear they've picked a bride for me. I hope she's pretty.

The son, the son! Tradition!

The son, the son! Tradition!

[Guest]