"Hell, Fire, Brimstone, and...Polyester?"
It's always good to remember the quote, of which I am unable to remember the author, "Before taking down the fence, find out why it was put up."
The reason I quote that contemporary proverb is because I try to remember that William Booth started with a plan, which was to never get stuck in a plan.
Booth wanted The Army to be continually transitioning into a movement that was ahead of its time. Right now many would say that we are falling behind the times.
I also keep in mind that being a Zealot for Christ is not synonymous with being a staunch Salvationist, especially when the staunch becomes a stench. And for many, we stink to high heaven in the areas of speaking a language that people can understand.
Sometimes a tradition can have the same affect that the KJV of the Bible has on the ears of a ten-year-old. If we have to explain everything we say and do, are we really sending a clear message or an apology for being outdated?
Ready or not, I'm moving forward! Christ is leading His children to reach the world for Him, not to reach the few who are willing to wear uniforms or say "Fire a volley!"
When we revue the history of The Salvation Army, we will find that The Army grew as it changed and stagnancy came when The Army began to claim traditions. The only true tradition of The Salvation Army is its refusal to settle down.
Today there is a new push for spiritual development, which is revealing that the church culture of the twentieth century was missing a few screws. It’s not traditions and garb that make Christ’s Kingdom great; it is the effectiveness of His people, regardless of any classical habits.
"Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me" (Jeremiah 35:14 NIV).
I honestly believe that there will be Salvationists on Judgment Day who will, upon a guilty verdict, turn to Jesus and smugly say, "I might be going to hell, but I'll be going to hell wearing polyester!"
Forever changing,
Johnny
6 comments:
Yes, I have to agree with you. I want to add, though, that it is not just The Salvation Army that is stuck deep in tradition... it is the church in whole. Since when is a relationship with Jesus supposed to be about tradition... about not only wearing a Salvation Army uniform, but the tradition of wearing a dress or a suit and tie on Sunday for that matter.
It's interesting that in Revolution on Sunday, we were playing a game with the kids to help them better understand the topic of evangelism. We were discussing the early church and how Phillip took time to explain the Bible to an Ethiopian traveler. One of the questions that a kid had to answer during our game was, how can you show you love Jesus to your friends? He answered, "I can dress like I am a Christian." I asked how he could do that, and he said, "I can wear a suit and tie like people who are Christians." Hmmm...
Stephanie,
In the 50's religious leaders were to "look" professional. All seminarians were required to wear a jacket and tie to class and all preachers were suited up.
In the 70's there was a push to not only look good, but to sound professional as well. This was the age of business savvy.
That is where the idea of dressing up for church came from.
Now, there is a push for spiritual development above all else, which is bringing about some uncomfortable changes, such as people wearing whatever they left beside their bed and showing up in church with slippers.
No longer does dressing up have anything to do with worshiping God, though the Builders and the Boomers will call you irreverent.
Forever learning,
Johnny
Great entry. The Salvation Army is one of the many denominations that has lost sight of the 'main thing.' You always have a way of verbalizing how I feel better then I ever could. Thank you.
Stephanie,
You're right about the rest of the church. . . 85% or more are ineffective.
Johnny,
In “Slightly off Center” Terry Camsey tells a story about a young man who inherited the family drill-making business. At the first board meeting he attended he said, “Gentlemen, we are not in the business of making drills. . .we are in the business of making holes!”
I think we are still bound by the idea that there is only one way to make a whole. . . “our way!” What really matters is that we discover the best possible and most productive way to make a hole. While we begin to apply the best possible approach, we continue to scan the horizon to discover new trends, new developments, and allow ourselves to continue to grow and adapt with the culture’s needs and trends.
Although we are moving (too slowly for me) in that direction, we are still running business as though we are making drills.
You are dead-on Bret. I also love that quote. I remember it from the book and have used it from time to time.
I believe that a part of the problem is that we still see church in the plural form and believe that we are one of them.
Until we see that Christians are all one giant family, we will continue to find offense in using the great ideas of our brothers and sisters who are parts of other bodies of believers.
I'm over it! Let's move forward.
Forever sick of holding back,
Johnny
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