Tonight I taught at our Remnant Bible study (the sr, high to 20 somethings). We discussed three inadequate sources of authority (tradition, experience, and intellect). After about thirty minutes of going through various Scriptures we closed with prayer. The church and tradition dominated much of our conversation. As we were standing to go and pray (the boys go the basement of the home where we meet and the girls stay in the living room), Eric suggested that that we mix it up, (i.e. the girls go the basement, and the boys stay in the living room). His idea was met with instant disagreement, “the boys always go downstairs, and the girls always stay upstairs.” I had to chuckle, even the young find security in doing things the same way every week.

It is a constant struggle for church leaders to initiate change for the right reasons at a pace that causes tension but not division. A church leader must always be gently pushing the congregation away from tradition which leads to dead religion, while steering clear of foolish and non-biblical new ways of doing church. It is a dangerous razors edge.