Readings for today: Matthew 15, Mark 7, 8:1-10
We just finished up a week of training in South Sudan. One of the things I am constantly confronted and challenged by when I am over here is how quickly the Holy Spirit raises up church planters and sends them into the mission field. In my denomination in the United States, it takes years and tens of thousands of dollars to get prepared to go into ministry. We employ a model based on a Western academic culture that requires significant graduate level work over a significant period of time and if we’re totally honest, the results aren’t great. Most of our churches have plateaued or are dying. The Christian faith is shrinking not growing. But still we cling to our model. We cling to our traditions. We refuse to let go and try something new. Contrast our approach with how church planters are raised up over here. They are called by the Holy Spirit through the local church. They are sent out into the field almost immediately. While in the field, they often plant multiple churches in multiple villages. And then they are responsible to raise up their replacements as soon as possible so they can go to the next unreached village. Along the way, they attend training conferences. They gain knowledge and wisdom and understanding. They grow spiritually. They are held accountable. They are disciplined if they go astray. They are restored after demonstrating true repentance and sent back out. The results are incredible. Thousands of churches being planted. The Christian faith exploding as millions come to Christ. It’s incredible.
Why do we cling to our traditions? Jesus confronts the Pharisees with this question in our reading today. Over time, humanity tends to create systems and structures and these things become more important than the people they are designed to serve. The Pharisees were famous for creating all kinds of rules to govern everyday life. Granted, it was from a desire to be faithful to God but their commitment was misplaced. They focused on all the wrong things and they nullified the Word of God by their traditions. They honored God with their lips but their hearts were far from God. This is what makes them blind guides. I wonder. Are we making a similar mistake? Am I making a similar mistake in the organizations in which I serve and lead? Where have I created barriers, however unwittingly and with the best of intentions, to what God wants to do in and through me and others?
Traditions don’t just exist in the church. We all have our traditions. In our homes. In our schools. At our work. In our personal lives. We all have our systems and structures and routines. But when those things become more important than the deeper values of mercy and compassion and love and sacrifice. When those things no longer serve but must be served, we run aground in our faith. We must repent and renew our commitment to put the Lord’s will above our own.
Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 16, Mark 8:11-38, 9:1, Luke 9:18-27