Is it really “Old vs. New?”

Yes, Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever.

 

And, like some of my older colleagues, I will be more likely to point to the rich history of our liturgy than the “latest” forms, even if I’m equally skilled in both–or unskilled, depending on who you ask.

 

But Jesus also pronounced the major change of his own day; the end of corporate sacrificial practices at the Temple due to the corruption of the system by those who were in power. Could it not be said that they had forgotten the original purposes of their actions and were, by and large, more concerned with the mere maintenance of tradition?

 

Within six verses of the “same today” passage in Hebrews is the following:

 

Hebrews 13:13-15 MSG
So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged

insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our

home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place

outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring

out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name.

 

While I do not suggest that we at Piperton have forgotten the purpose of our worship forms, I certainly believe that we as a Church have forgotten them with very few exceptions.

 

Let me draw an analogy: If the goal is to ascend the height, I have no problem with an elevator just because my predecessor used the stairs—or even a ladder. Granted, newer isn’t always better; but neither are the old ways ‘automagically’ the best because of their antiquity.

 

So I spend a lot of time reminding people that Jesus came to us as a revolutionary force, an iconoclast in at least as many ways as he was a traditionalist.

 

Rather than trying to fit worship into this concept alone, why not draw parallels in nurture, witness, and outreach as well? In this way, what is done in our planning for worship is an organic interchange of what God is doing now as well as what God did before, highlighting differences and similarities and celebrating both.

 

In this way, I’m pressing back against nostalgia with the simple question of “Is this still working for us or is it merely comfortable for us?” And I’m pressing back against innovation with the simple questions of “How does this better accomplish our goals than existing structures?” and “Does this conflict inappropriately with our beliefs, style, and culture?”

 

I know: Define “inappropriately.” I suppose it means that the new thing can’t ask us to give up something that has deeply held personal value if that value can be arguably compared to the goal we’re seeking in importance to our group identity.

 

Shoulda been an attorney, I guess.

 

Since resisting both nostalgia and innovation puts me (and others in the church) in the position of working both sides of the street, it helps to have more than one voice in my head on most days. 😉

 

How can I do both? Watch this:

 

I’m against the commercialization of baseball but I’m in favor of the DH rule. Why? Because one conflicts with my basic beliefs about sports in general and baseball in particular, and the other makes for a better game, in my estimation.

 

Neither is a knee-jerk reaction. Both conclusions are based on those intentionally framed questions.

 

Let me put it another way: It’s not always about the vehicle, or even the destination. For me, it is about the journey of discipleship—and all the delicious analogies that present themselves in that light.

 

Look at what we lost when we abandoned rail travel. The journey became extraneous. But look at what we gained when we embraced air travel—a renewed interest in ocean travel aboard vessels designed for the purpose of treasuring the trip.

 

Back to baseball. I’m with Ernie Banks on this one: “Hey, let’s play two.” And why? Because he just loved the game so much. I feel the same way about worship. To thoroughly mix metaphors, it doesn’t matter if we all have uniforms, or even strictly regulation equipment.

 

In fact, the ground rules are a part of the experience. “Line drives off of the billboard in right field are a double.” Fine by me. Same goes for church and worship. “We use a guitar because Jenny Banks never finished piano or organ lessons before Mr. Gatlin died.”  Great. Let’s just praise the Lord, shall we?

 

I’m just glad to be on the field, paying the proper respects to God and enjoying the season.