Using the Shift Key (Part Two)
As TDB comments, "We're hard wired to hang on to our comfortable ways of doing life, believing it will start working--eventually--in the face of compelling evidence to the contrary." I agree. We often mistake what is comfortable for what is effective or right. If it feels easy or normal we don't even think to change it. We feel no instinct or desire to shift. Why mess with success? But is it really success, or is it something else?
One of my first adult life uses of the shift key took place around 1988. About five years into pastoral ministry I studied the Bible's teaching about Communion and concluded that the NT church observed the Lord's Supper often. I know there's debate on it, and my point is not to build a case here, but here's what I thought: the Bible at least commends (though I'm not sure it commands) frequent Communion.
Having come from a tradition of once-a-month Communion, this jarred my little theological world and caused no small inner turmoil. You see: the trouble with the way we do (and have always done) things is that our way takes on the status of conviction by wrapping itself in arguments to justfiy its existence and exaggerate its importance. That's what had happened with my once-a-month-Communion practice. It's the way it had been done. It seemed to be working. And besides, if you observe Communion more than once per month, it'll become a vain repitition; an empty ritual. Increased familiarity will lead to diminishing returns. So the argument (my argument) went.
But I was up against it: the trouble with the argument was that it didn't seem to stand up to the implications of Scripture, nor to the witness of history. Apparently in the NT church they were able to observe Communion at least weekly and still be impacted by grace. Scripture testimony (and the experience of some great Christians in history) rocked my convictions and exposed them as mere traditions. It was time to use the shift key.
Opting for every week Communion (our practice to this day) we've found that instead of becoming a vain and empty ritual, Communion has become a profoundly meaningful, and worship and life-transforming means of grace. Every week Communion perpetually reminds us that no matter what else happens in life and church and worship, we are each, individually, and all, collectively, people of the Cross. By this means, we are brought back to the gospel and to the main thing (1 Corinthians 15:3) every time we gather. Greater familiarity has in fact led to increasing returns.
The lessons learned from this use of life's shift key have been valuable:
1. When the Bible seems to be pointing in one direction and I'm going in another, it's always safer and better to adjust accordingly.
2. I don't need to be afraid to test my ways and traditions. With a Bible in hand, I can be willing to evaluate everything. Is it right? Is it really biblical? Are my arguments for my way merely human reasons for a human tradition or are they really God's truth truly held? Is there a better way? While the older or present way may not seem broken, does it need a tune-up or upgrade?
3. And in the case of Communion, I've learned that anything that keeps the Cross of Jesus front and center in life is a good thing!
Shifting direction has led us closer to Jesus.
Any thoughts?
One of my first adult life uses of the shift key took place around 1988. About five years into pastoral ministry I studied the Bible's teaching about Communion and concluded that the NT church observed the Lord's Supper often. I know there's debate on it, and my point is not to build a case here, but here's what I thought: the Bible at least commends (though I'm not sure it commands) frequent Communion.
Having come from a tradition of once-a-month Communion, this jarred my little theological world and caused no small inner turmoil. You see: the trouble with the way we do (and have always done) things is that our way takes on the status of conviction by wrapping itself in arguments to justfiy its existence and exaggerate its importance. That's what had happened with my once-a-month-Communion practice. It's the way it had been done. It seemed to be working. And besides, if you observe Communion more than once per month, it'll become a vain repitition; an empty ritual. Increased familiarity will lead to diminishing returns. So the argument (my argument) went.
But I was up against it: the trouble with the argument was that it didn't seem to stand up to the implications of Scripture, nor to the witness of history. Apparently in the NT church they were able to observe Communion at least weekly and still be impacted by grace. Scripture testimony (and the experience of some great Christians in history) rocked my convictions and exposed them as mere traditions. It was time to use the shift key.
Opting for every week Communion (our practice to this day) we've found that instead of becoming a vain and empty ritual, Communion has become a profoundly meaningful, and worship and life-transforming means of grace. Every week Communion perpetually reminds us that no matter what else happens in life and church and worship, we are each, individually, and all, collectively, people of the Cross. By this means, we are brought back to the gospel and to the main thing (1 Corinthians 15:3) every time we gather. Greater familiarity has in fact led to increasing returns.
The lessons learned from this use of life's shift key have been valuable:
1. When the Bible seems to be pointing in one direction and I'm going in another, it's always safer and better to adjust accordingly.
2. I don't need to be afraid to test my ways and traditions. With a Bible in hand, I can be willing to evaluate everything. Is it right? Is it really biblical? Are my arguments for my way merely human reasons for a human tradition or are they really God's truth truly held? Is there a better way? While the older or present way may not seem broken, does it need a tune-up or upgrade?
3. And in the case of Communion, I've learned that anything that keeps the Cross of Jesus front and center in life is a good thing!
Shifting direction has led us closer to Jesus.
Any thoughts?
6 Comments:
what happens when the potential change is not something that has a clear (or even murky) biblical precident?
for example, when we've been in one career path for years, when we've been serving in one ministry for the local church but another need arises, when we're faced with the potential need (or ability) to readjust family financial commitments, when the thought occurs to us that perhaps we should expand the size of our family, etc., how can we know whether we're too comfortable with the status quo or whether the current situation is one worth preserving?
how can we recognize the need for change or the potential value of a change in areas like that where we're often not able to do a one to one comparison against Scripture?
by the way, what you say here:
anything that keeps the Cross of Jesus front and center in life is a good thing
is a great reminder, and a really helpful barometer, i think, when considering the questions i posed. but i'd love to hear a few more nuts and bolts.
big questions these are; bigger than a blog comment or two can handle.
In short I'd think that all possible change needs to be processed with the following things in mind:
1. Is there biblical teaching or principle that informs this decision?
2. Have I prayed about this matter, asking for wisdom (James 1:5-8)?
3. Have I asked trusted people in my life if they think I need to change in any way so as to become more frutiful or effective in my responibilites? Are they detecting complacency or an absence of passion, energy or direction in my life or in my current way of doing things? Do they have ideas on how I can improve?
4. Have I sought counsel regarding my change ideas from godly and mature believers, including spiritual leaders like husbands, spiritual moms (as in Titus 2:3-5), care group leaders and pastors (as in all the Proverbs encouraging such a step)?
4. Do I have the resources to carry out this idea/plan?
6. Will this decision further the growth, expand the reach, or improve the strength of my local church?
7. Will this decision positively impact my reaching of the lost?
8. Is this direction one that makes good use of the gifts God has entrusted to me?
A few thoughts.
Very good thoughts Tim.
There is much food for thought and application in your entry, but one thing you are challenging us with here is to really, really think Biblicaly and to test every practice by the supreme authority of Sacred Scripture----- the Vox Dei---the very voice of God written.
Because of the blinders we wear it's not always so easy to do this. It is easy, however, for us sometimes to confuse what we are in the habit of doing with what the Bible is actually commanding or teaching us. One very serious thing that came to mind concerns how we undermine the Bible's authority when we do this (and we are fully capable of doing it in more ways then one).
We can of course undermine the Bible's authority by denying, rejecting or otherwise take away from what it is teaching and requiring of us to believe or do. But, we also undermine it's authority when we add to what it says, and then elevate and confuse these additions with what the Bible itself is teaching, effectively placing them on par with the Word of God itself. In either case we do indeed need to hit the shift key.
Your thoughts are a good challenge to us all to evaluate our lives individually and corporately, guarding against either taking away or adding to the Bible, and thereby in practice undermining it's authority (and God's) over our lives.
Thanks.
"Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take away from it"(Deut. 12:32).
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Tim W. asks:
"What happens when the potential change is not something that has a clear (or even murky) biblical precedent...for example... when the thought occurs to us that perhaps we should expand the size of our family, etc."
Forgive me, but surely the clear biblical precedent for this one (strengthened by appeals to natural law) is to simply allow God to decide when it is time to expand the size of your family.
Sorry...this joyful dad of 9 couldn't let that one slip by without comment!
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