Traditional Worship

Someone asked our preacher why we (the Church I attend) continue to be “traditional” when everything seems to be moving toward the contemporary side of the ledger. Lots of Churches have a traditional service among the contemporary services, but fewer and fewer are hanging on to the “traditional only” mode of expression.

Is it because we are comfortable? Everything is familiar, songs are repeated generation after generation, and the “three points and a poem” message rings a recognizable bell in our subconscious mind. Is it because there is no creativity on the part of leadership. Doing the same things over and over again is easy and seldom upset the “faithful” on whom the financial resources depend. Perhaps the traditional Church survives in a 21st century world because so many folks are unwilling to change – anything! 

Then again, it could be that the focus on contemporary music has brought us a step closer to similarity to the music of the World. Sometimes it hard to tell the difference except in the choice of words. It could be that the focus on “staff” (read: charismatic singers and preachers) has lessened our focus on God and created a generation of men/women who are better known for their books and CD’s than for their commitment to the unchanging principles of the Word of God. The quest for popularity in the out-workings of faith seems antithetical to the context of Scripture.

Churches built on the personality of their human leaders are invariably built on sand. When that leadership changes, unless there is an equally dynamic personality to follow, trouble looms. Churches built on the Rock of Christ Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, continue to flourish in the building of men and women toward maturity in the faith.

Is one (contemporary or traditional) better than the other. Only God knows. There are good and bad characteristics in both. But one is not less than the other because it is not the other. Perhaps we should just following the Biblical admonition to make our decisions based not on popularity or size or fame or fortune, but on spiritual fruit. After all, a tree is known for it’s fruit.