Traditions Are Good, but Challenging Traditions Is Even Better

You may have spent much of December planning and setting goals for the year ahead. Now it’s January—the month when we start putting those resolutions into practice. What challenges did we face last year? What procedures, behaviors, and relationships do we need to carry into the new year?

The United States is a tradition-driven country. People make decisions with a high regard for what has been done in the past. Traditions are good, but being willing to challenge them allows us to confront the status quo. After all, operating on the basis of ineffective traditions is a dangerous path. One clear example we see today is the disconnect between younger and older generations.

(Real-life example) One day, a children’s pastor at a small church asked, "Why do we do youth programming on Wednesday nights?" He asked because the youth were no longer showing up on Wednesday nights. Immediately, the senior pastor replied, "Because we’ve always done it on Wednesdays, and it’s always worked." The children’s pastor responded, "I don’t think it’s working anymore. I just read that when young people go off to college, 75% of them walk away from the faith. Could those numbers be connected to the way we’re doing children’s/youth ministry?" The senior pastor replied, "We’ve always done it this way; we’re not going to change now." The children’s pastor respectfully ended the conversation, because the senior pastor was not willing to challenge tradition and open a dialogue.

Sometimes change is not just necessary... it’s mandatory! Traditions are good, but as leaders, we need to be aware that the world is moving. Change is hard to manage, but when it’s more effective than "the way things have always been done," it’s worth it.

As Christ-centered leaders, we need to shift the status quo for the sake of the next generation. The Gospel will always remain the same, but beyond the great truths it contains, we have a sea of opportunities to connect with younger generations. A Christ-centered leader must be ready to challenge the status quo while keeping the foundation on the unchanging Gospel.

How do you see resistance to change affecting the world around you?