Disciples of Christ

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Every church has traditions that have become sacred cows. In the church I grew up in, the color of the carpet had become the sacred cow. We had always had red carpet, but now the property committee was going to change it to blue. Some people just weren’t sure they could worship God on a BLUE CARPET, God forbid.

At another church, we had the Great Hymnbook Controversy of 1975. For twenty years, the 1956 version of the hymnal had been used and cherished in that church, but now the music committee wanted to purchase the newly updated 1975 version. This decision sparked a major debate on the quality of music in each hymnal. The final decision was made at a two-hour church-wide business meeting where we finally hammered out a compromise that barely averted dividing the church. The 1956 hymnal would be kept in the sanctuary, and the 1975 hymnal would be used in the chapel.

I have heard about a church where a similar controversy erupted over whether Communion would be served before the sermon or after the sermon. Other churches fight over where the piano is placed, where the Doxology is sung, or even how to take the offering.

It seems that every church manages to elevate certain practices from the routine to sacred traditions. Church growth specialist Bill Easum once wrote a book about this phenomenon. He called it “Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers.” Churches that grow must find a way to eat those sacred cows.

We must not let traditions or habits guide our choices in life if they do not speak of who we really are. If our traditions/habits define us we miss out on who we are or can become.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor Skip French

1500 Forest Hills Blvd (Hwy 279)              479 . 855 . 2780         Bella Vista, Arkansas 72715

Monday Musings are e-mailed weekly to the congregation's email group.

The weekly Monday Musings are published in Bella Vista weekly newspaper.

Peace & Blessings,

Skip

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