We sometimes see in articles or hear in conversations reference to the "traditional church." These are usually references to the church that rejects instrumental music, choirs, women in leadership roles over men, and the like. It worships by congregational singing, by praying, by teaching and studying God’s word, and by eating the Lord’s Supper and giving on the first day of every week.

Some congregations have even been known to have two worship periods on Sunday morning; one is to accommodate those who insist on the "traditional" type worship, and then another for those who want something more contemporary.

It needs to be remembered that God in His word has prescribed the worship of His church, as well as its terms of entrance, its organization, and its mission. One would do well also to note that the words tradition and traditions are sometimes used to refer to the commands of God. For example in II Thessalonians 2:15 the apostle wrote,

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or by epistle.

Paul was here making it plain that the Thessalonica Church of Christ should be a traditional church. A few verses later the apostle wrote,

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us (II Thessalonians 3:6).

If the church at Thessalonica did as they were exhorted to do, then one visiting their services on the Lord’s Day would find a church worshiping by singing congregationally, by praying, by engaging in a study of the word of God, by eating the Lord’s Supper, and by giving of their means. All of these activities would be led by the men of the congregation, and not by the women.

It is true that the Lord often criticized certain ones for holding on to traditions. But he always identified those traditions as something originating with men and not with God. In Matthew 15:3 he said, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" Notice that: "your tradition." In verse 6 he said, "Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." Again notice the words "your tradition." In Mark 7:3 this same incident is referred to and Mark explains that is was the "tradition of the elders." Now look at Mark 7:8: "For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do."

I suppose one is justified in saying that when we have three songs, a prayer, another song, and then the sermon, we are following human tradition. One might even find reason to criticize that tradition, for it is dictated by human judgment. But singing, praying, and preaching as acts of worship are not dictated by human judgment; they are dictated by the Word of the Lord.

Some human traditions are perfectly harmless, and even good. No doubt there are those who exalt human traditions to the point of being sacred. This is a sin. But let us never make the mistake of ridiculing "traditional churches" or "traditional worship" if we mean by that those people who insist on holding on to the Word of God in all matters of faith and practice.