And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” Mark 7:9-13

            Traditions are fine in a church, but if the traditions become more important than the mission, there could be a problem.  Churches, over the years, can honor the past in their traditions—songs sung, attire worn, Bible translations used, ways to open or close the service—but it can’t inhibit new ways to reach a new generation or marginalize guests to your church who have no idea about the past.

            If the words “we never did it that way before” are ever said, there’s a problem, especially if that new way can reach more people.  Traditions tend to satisfy the old timers (who sometimes are the bigger givers) so it makes it difficult to transition into new traditions.