Over the years, I have encountered brethren who recoil at anything that appears to be a traditional way of doing things in the Lord’s church. It is often younger brethren (although certainly not all young brethren) who see the church as being set in its ways and not up to meeting the real needs of modern times. I imagine this perceived weakness of the church has been felt by members of every generation, including my own. However, it can grow into a problem that must be handled in every generation.

To brethren who are wanting change, the word tradition is sometimes employed as a means of identifying old ways of doing things that must be reformed or retired. This tactic gives them some apparent credibility. We know what the Lord said about traditions. In the exchange Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees in Mark 7:5-13, He condemned them for laying aside the commandment of God to hold the traditions of men (v. 8), rejecting the commandment of God to keep their tradition (v. 9), and “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do” (v. 13). We don’t want to be on the receiving end of the Lord’s condemnation, so we don’t want to be guilty of preferring our traditions over His commands.

However, we must remember that the word tradition is also used in a good sense in the New Testament. “Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you” (1 Cor. 11:2). “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thess. 2:15, see also 3:6). The traditions Paul is speaking of in these passages are the teachings and commandments of the Lord.

The word tradition is translated from paradosis which refers to that which is handed down from one generation to the next. It is a morally neutral word. The context must tell us if that which is handed down is good or evil. In the First Century, the teachings of Christ were to be handed down from the apostles to all disciples (Matt. 28:28). As 2 Thessalonians 2:15 indicates, this was done both orally and in writing. Although this doctrine was revealed in its entirety during the lifetime of the apostles, faithful disciples were to continue to hand it down to future generations. “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

When a belief or practice is a matter of doctrine that originated with Christ, it is a tradition that must be kept. If such is a matter of expediency that was adopted by a previous generation to best accomplish the Lord’s work, it is open for review and replacement. Consider two examples.

For a long time, most local churches have benefited from having two separate worship services on the Lord’s Day, one in the morning and a second one in the evening. I have been told this practice dates back to the WWII era to accommodate shift workers. Perhaps this is true. This practice has served the Lord’s people very well for several generations. In recent years, this practice has been reevaluated by many local churches and the second service has been changed, as was the case for us here at Knollwood. Having the same amount of teaching done in a single period of time is of greater benefit than having a 3-hour break between the services. We are still meeting on the Lord’s Day (a command), worshiping God scripturally (a command), and receiving the same amount of teaching. However, for us, the change in meeting times has increased our overall attendance and is contributing to an increase in our spiritual development and zeal. The tradition was changed for the better.

There was a time when having a radio program was a successful form of evangelism. Many local churches had one. We have several members at Knollwood because such a program was done by this congregation back in the 1980’s. However, for some reason, this program was stopped. Why did it stop? I don’t know the details regarding that decision. Another congregation in our area tried a similar radio program recently. They conducted the program for a year as an evangelistic effort. They did not receive a single call generating a Bible study or conversion. Another congregation I know of in Tennessee has done a similar weekly radio program for over a year with the same result – zero interest shown from the community. Radio programs have done much good in the past, and perhaps are still doing good in some places today, however they are expedients. The work of evangelism can continue without doing a radio program. Instead of holding to traditions (saying, “We have always had a radio program, and we will always have one”), each local church needs to try to find the most effective ways to scripturally carry out the work of evangelism in their community.

For those members who are older, listen to the concerns and ideas of your younger brethren. It is possible to hold fast to the doctrine of Christ while trying new ways of carrying out the Lord’s work. Sometimes traditional expedients outlive their usefulness and need to be retired. For those who are younger – be respectful of the wisdom and maturity of your older brethren. Don’t slap the dreaded tradition label on everything you think can be done better. Perhaps expedient practices are being retained because they are still proving themselves to be the best way to do things.