Traditions are good, but challenging traditions is even better.
You may have spent a good part of December planning and setting goals for the next year. Now it’s January—the month where we start putting resolutions into practice. What challenges did we face last year? What procedures, behaviors, and relationships do we need to bring into the new year?
The United States is a country moved by traditions. People make their decision with high consideration for what’s been done in the past. It’s good to have traditions but being willing to challenge them allows us to confront the status quo. After all, operating out of ineffective traditions is a dangerous path to walk. One prime example we see today. The disconnect between the 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 Wednesdays?” His question came up because youth were no longer showing up on Wednesday nights. Right away, the senior pastor answered: “Because we’ve always done it on Wednesdays, and it has always worked.” The children’s pastor replied: “I don’t think it is working anymore. I just read that when kids go to college, 75% of them drop their faith. Are those numbers related to the way we are doing children/youth ministry?” The senior pastor replied: “We’ve always done it this way; let's not change it now.” The children's pastor respectfully ended the conversation because the senior pastor was unwilling to challenge the tradition and open a dialogue.
Sometimes change isn’t needed… it’s required! Traditions are good but we leaders need to be aware that the world is on the move. It’s hard to manage change, 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 change the status quo for the sake of the new generation. The Gospel will always remain the same, but outside of the major truths it holds, we have a sea of opportunities to connect with the younger generations. A Christ-Centered leader needs to be alerted to challenge the status quo while maintaining a foundation in the unchangeable Gospel.
How do you see resistance to change affecting the world around you?
Eduardo Mendes
Founder and President
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