Contrary to past reports, depression and suicide rates actually fall during the holidays. At least that is what the article in the LA Times said yesterday. The report made perfect sense to me, but then again consider the source. ☺

What caught my attention was a statement made by Barbara Fiese, the chairwoman of psychology at Syracuse University. Stating, people with strong family routines and rituals at holiday time reported more marital satisfaction, better academic achievement among children and better overall health among family members, she found. Even in families in which there has been a divorce, the continuation of family rituals improves the children’s ability to adapt and increases their stability.

Over the years I’ve heard and even jumped on the bandwagon for change in the church. And looking back over the years I can see the good and harm it can cause. There is a delicate balance to consider called human emotions and far to often we let it get in the way of what is best. We want contemporary music, multimedia, great sound and a really cool light show. Throw those song books away and lets use power points, dump the big pulpit and set up a small stand, we want the preacher to sit on a bar chair and talk with us and while we’re at it, we want to replace the hard wooden pews with couches. All, some or none of which can be either good or bad.

We want it bigger, brighter, edgier and louder, we want it darker, quieter and more intimate or even more often, leave everything alone there is nothing wrong or broken (look around, we live in a broken world and we are broken people). These seem to be the common battle cry’s in the church community and you hear them over and over again.

At what cost are we willing to change. Is it to strengthen the body (edification) or to simply keep up with the Jones’? Or to just entertain? Do we even have a reason? (Rhetorical)

Before you start sending hate mail, listen. I’m all for change. If you’ve been to our fellowship you’d know that. So don’t think I am just another fundamental evangelical (far from that title) trying to sway toward standardized worship. We should never use a cookie cutter approach for any two churches. Each is a unique living body with it’s own culture and heritage. Remember it is the people within the church that make this up, not the leadership or denomination as some would suggest. All I am saying is that we all need to consider our body’s unique needs. Some need more vitamin C than others. It is really that simple.

Every church can use some changes, some more drastic than others. But what or why do you make those changes? We only should make changes that will improve the overall spiritual health of each of its members. That is as long is it does not dilute the Gospel or contradict God’s word.

Funny to see what the word of God has to say about traditions. Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 NASB, 14It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

Now look at 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 NASB, 1Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 2Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

I think the real question we must ask is why change? And should we change? Even if you’re trying to become more authentic, following closely to the teachings of the book of Acts, how far do you go. Seriously, do we go total first century? If so, cool, so are we greeting everyone man and woman with a hug and kiss? Probably not! In today’s culture, I would find it difficult at best to bring new families into a fellowship if they were greeted with kisses. Don’t you. Even though I understand the tradition, I would find it difficult to accept if I didn’t have a relationship with you already. The thought of having a total stranger embracing you with a kiss (maybe if she was cute)! You get the idea so lets replace our old ushers with cute young ones. ☺

The bottom line, sometimes we go to extremes to be different (trendy, cutting edge, unique, to stand out). We will even go so far the other direction to remain stagnant in our fellowships, for the simple reason of proving a point. The real danger is that as I said above, letting our emotions (fighting for your own cause) can cause serious and sometimes fatal blows to the body. As the findings concluded, all of us look to traditions for grounding and comfort. So I say lets not just do for the sake of doing.

In my heart I know what I must do for my Savior and that is trust in Him and live for Him. And just maybe, a little tradition from our own mothers, fathers and grandparents isn’t so bad.

I’ve made a short list of questions that should be asked and answered (honestly). The list can easily be expanded upon. This is just a starting point.

Are we changing…
…for the sake of change? BAD (just because you can doesn’t mean it is necessarily good for the body)
…to keep up with the time? BAD (or do you mean Jones’)
…to bring people to church? BAD (the real goal has never been to get people to church, but to accept, trust, believe and love the Lord Jesus with all their heart (personal relationship), church attendance (a discipline) is a direct result of that relationship with the Lord)
…because it makes you feel good? BAD (to feel good is not what Christianity is about and if anything it is the opposite of ones own desire of feeling good)
…to modernize the service? BAD (way too subjective)
…for individual spiritual growth of the congregation? GOOD (as long as it directs the attention to the Father)
…to break away from traditions that are no longer culturally acceptable? GOOD (we must consider the local bodies needs)

Now ask the questions that your fellowship (congregation, body) needs to ask. Some questions should be unique to your body.

Change for the sake of change, wrong. Change that brings more focus, attention and individual accountability to our Savior, good!

We could run down many rabbit trails, but I will choose to stop here for now.

Just another fading thought…

Link to LA Times article
click here