Presbyterians are known for our traditions—our unique way of church government and our keeping of scripture. We are known for the tradition of “we’ve always done it this way.” Yet as a denomination we frequently forget the second part of our tradition—the part that asks: What do I find important in the church that I want to bring forward and hand over to the next generation?
When any disagreement begins in a congregation with the words “but we’ve always done it this way,” we need to find a child still in elementary school. We must look into their eyes and ask ourselves: How will what I believe affect this child? In my belief, what do I want to bring forward and give as a gift—a tradition—to the next generation? What kind of an example of the love of Christ am I providing for this child?
Looking into the eyes of a child, we need to ask ourselves if statements like “I am leaving the church if …” will be an example of a healthy relationship for them. Statements that come with a timeline and seek a decision based on fear are not healthy in growing any relationship—not in your own family nor in your church family.
At some point in our lives, we have all been wounded in our hearts. Some wounds are still present and some wounds have softened over time. But the wounds make us who we are. Through being wounded, we learn forgiveness and reconciliation.
The same is true in our church. The church has hurt us at some point in our past (or present), but we must realize that we have a common denomination… a common humanity… a common forgiveness… a common relationship in the love of Christ.
This is the way of God. If we forget this then we are a broken people who cannot bring the love and healing of God into this world. And that is the day we all die of the cold.
We must remember that we need each other. We must remember to not judge or condemn. We must remember to listen to others and to listen to what God has called others to be. We need to seek hearts of forgiveness and compassion. We need to grow old together as a denomination in God’s love by sharing the love of Christ with each other and together healing not only our own wounds but those of the world. It is all these things that cause us as a denomination to grow, to be reformed, to come into a fuller relationship with God. This is the tradition—the gift—that must be passed on to the next generation.
Great God, we thank you for our tradition, and our way of passing on your Good News to the next generation. Through your love, enable us to always listen to each other. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
