Some Random Church Rules
Over the past few months, I've been compiling a list of random, human-generated, church rules that are common in the US. It's interesting, and actually rather amazing, to recognize the number of rules and traditions that have become customary within certain denominations and individual congregations. So, for better or worse, here is my list:
A few churches allow only a capella singing, and a few, no singing at all, while most congregations use some form of instrumental accompaniment.
Some people insist that old hymns are best because people already know them well, while others prefer newer, contemporary, hymns because they draw younger people to worship. Along with this, some churches prefer to use hymnals, while other churches make use of technology to project the song lyrics up on a screen that can be seen easily by everyone, even those who might have trouble reading the small print in a standard hymnal.
People who sing or play special music may do so from the balcony or the back of the church, so that the congregation can concentrate on the message rather than the messenger. Other churches put all of their musicians in the front, where it is easier for them to lead worship.
There is more than a little controversy about church music these days, with some people insisting that the use of old music and liturgies will prevent the entertainment atmosphere that may occur with the use of contemporary songs and instruments. Some people prefer to keep worship simple, while others are excited by various special effects, hopefully for the the right reasons.
Some Christians say that the pipe organ is the best instrument to use during worship because it's sound best replicates the breathy human voice. Others prefer to use a piano or electronic organ, or even a Clavinova, mainly because of the astronomical cost of new pipe organs. Alternatively, some churches prefer using contemporary instruments, noting that drums and stringed instruments are mentioned often in the Psalms, which were originally written as worship songs.
Some churches retain hard, wooden pews, insisting that people will stay more alert if they aren't too comfortable in church. Others have added padding to their pews, or replaced them entirely with upholstered chairs, so people will be comfortable enough to want to return.
In many churches, the front rows are usually left empty, except on well-attended occasions like Christmas and Easter. Just lately, I've heard that a few churches are replacing their front pews or chairs with comfortable couches, referring to them as "preferred seating," in a creative effort to entice people to sit in the front.
In many churches, children sit with their families during worship so they can participate in a family experience and learn church etiquette, while other churches encourage children to go to children's church or the nursery so parents can participate more fully during worship.
Some churches encourage their members to bring Bibles or use a Bible app on their phones or i-pads, while others provide pew Bibles for those who need them, or print the day's Bible readings in the bulletin, or project the words on the screen in the front of the church.
Some Christians always dress up for worship services, wearing their best for God, while others are encouraged to come as they are, because our clothes don't matter nearly as much as our presence, and God accepts us just as we are, anyway.
Some denominations have robed acolytes lighting the candles at every worship service, while in other churches, an usher, or even the pastor, may light the candles. Still other churches don't use candles at all. (In one church I attended, a white-robed acolyte caused quite a stir one Sunday morning, when she wore orange flip-flops on her feet while lighting the candles.)
In various churches, pastors wear back robes, or white robes, or just a suit, or shirt and tie with dress pants, but some pastors wear their best holey (holy?) jeans in an attempt to blend in with their casually dressed congregations.
Some churches conduct worship services only on Sundays, while a few worship only on Saturdays. Some offer opportunities for worship on one or more evenings during the week, or even during the day.
Some churches allow only men to serve as ushers or deacons or elders, while others encourage women, and sometimes even teens, to serve in these capacities.
Coffee is often available, sometimes free and sometimes not, sometimes basic and sometimes fancy. Some churches provide the options of tea and cocoa for those of us who don't drink coffee, and some provide cookies or doughnuts, or even yogurt or pie, for those who need something to eat before lunch. Some churches encourage people to bring their beverages into the sanctuary, while others frown on that for fear that inevitable spills will stain the carpet.
Some churches insist that their members tithe, giving at least 10% of their income to the church, while others simply encourage tithing, and still others operate under a pledge system.
In some churches, programs such as Vacation Bible School are free, while others charge a small fee. Traditional VBS may be offered in the mornings or evenings, or more contemporary versions may operate with a camp or sports-themed format.
Most denominations offer Communion, in some form, on a regular basis, but some serve wine, while others use non-alcoholic grape juice; some use unleavened bread or crackers, or gluten-free wafers, while others tear pieces off a loaf of homemade bread. A large common cup used to be the rule, but more churches use tiny, disposable, individual cups these days, in an attempt to prevent the spread of disease.
Lutherans have a Greek word they often use to describe things that just don't matter: adiaphora. Some beliefs and church doctrines, while important to the individuals or church bodies that embrace them, really don't matter to God at all. I am convinced that every church embraces some traditions that are completely in line with the Bible's teaching, while holding fast to other traditions that may not be mentioned in the Bible at all, or may even be contrary to God's Word.
I am equally convinced that all churches, even those that some Christians consider to be cults, are made up of people we call Christians, who trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, as well as some people who do not yet trust in Jesus. In some churches, there may be very few believers, but it is quite likely that God has placed some Christians there to influence those who don't yet believe.
People attend church for many reasons; for some, it is a social club or family tradition. Some people are searching for help or answers to deep questions. Some attend out of feelings of obligation, while others are there to truly worship God. I've heard it said that the church is not meant to be a social club, made up of perfect people, but, instead, it is more like a hospital for sinners who know they need Jesus. There are no perfect people in any church!
I don't think Christians have any business judging other Christians or church groups for their different practices and doctrines. Instead, we need to build each other up, and celebrate our unity in Jesus, the one who took away our sins, took our punishment, and rose again from the dead so that we, too, may live.
Romans 14--the whole chapter-- has a lot to say about this topic. Here are some exerpts:
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand...Why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God."..Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
A few churches allow only a capella singing, and a few, no singing at all, while most congregations use some form of instrumental accompaniment.
Some people insist that old hymns are best because people already know them well, while others prefer newer, contemporary, hymns because they draw younger people to worship. Along with this, some churches prefer to use hymnals, while other churches make use of technology to project the song lyrics up on a screen that can be seen easily by everyone, even those who might have trouble reading the small print in a standard hymnal.
People who sing or play special music may do so from the balcony or the back of the church, so that the congregation can concentrate on the message rather than the messenger. Other churches put all of their musicians in the front, where it is easier for them to lead worship.
There is more than a little controversy about church music these days, with some people insisting that the use of old music and liturgies will prevent the entertainment atmosphere that may occur with the use of contemporary songs and instruments. Some people prefer to keep worship simple, while others are excited by various special effects, hopefully for the the right reasons.
Some Christians say that the pipe organ is the best instrument to use during worship because it's sound best replicates the breathy human voice. Others prefer to use a piano or electronic organ, or even a Clavinova, mainly because of the astronomical cost of new pipe organs. Alternatively, some churches prefer using contemporary instruments, noting that drums and stringed instruments are mentioned often in the Psalms, which were originally written as worship songs.
In many churches, the front rows are usually left empty, except on well-attended occasions like Christmas and Easter. Just lately, I've heard that a few churches are replacing their front pews or chairs with comfortable couches, referring to them as "preferred seating," in a creative effort to entice people to sit in the front.
In many churches, children sit with their families during worship so they can participate in a family experience and learn church etiquette, while other churches encourage children to go to children's church or the nursery so parents can participate more fully during worship.
Some churches encourage their members to bring Bibles or use a Bible app on their phones or i-pads, while others provide pew Bibles for those who need them, or print the day's Bible readings in the bulletin, or project the words on the screen in the front of the church.
Some denominations have robed acolytes lighting the candles at every worship service, while in other churches, an usher, or even the pastor, may light the candles. Still other churches don't use candles at all. (In one church I attended, a white-robed acolyte caused quite a stir one Sunday morning, when she wore orange flip-flops on her feet while lighting the candles.)
In various churches, pastors wear back robes, or white robes, or just a suit, or shirt and tie with dress pants, but some pastors wear their best holey (holy?) jeans in an attempt to blend in with their casually dressed congregations.
Some churches conduct worship services only on Sundays, while a few worship only on Saturdays. Some offer opportunities for worship on one or more evenings during the week, or even during the day.
Coffee is often available, sometimes free and sometimes not, sometimes basic and sometimes fancy. Some churches provide the options of tea and cocoa for those of us who don't drink coffee, and some provide cookies or doughnuts, or even yogurt or pie, for those who need something to eat before lunch. Some churches encourage people to bring their beverages into the sanctuary, while others frown on that for fear that inevitable spills will stain the carpet.
Some churches insist that their members tithe, giving at least 10% of their income to the church, while others simply encourage tithing, and still others operate under a pledge system.
In some churches, programs such as Vacation Bible School are free, while others charge a small fee. Traditional VBS may be offered in the mornings or evenings, or more contemporary versions may operate with a camp or sports-themed format.
Most denominations offer Communion, in some form, on a regular basis, but some serve wine, while others use non-alcoholic grape juice; some use unleavened bread or crackers, or gluten-free wafers, while others tear pieces off a loaf of homemade bread. A large common cup used to be the rule, but more churches use tiny, disposable, individual cups these days, in an attempt to prevent the spread of disease.
+ + + + + + + + + + +
Whew! This is not an all-inclusive list, by any means. I haven't mentioned the use of particular words, such as Trinity and Rapture, that are common in some churches, but nearly unheard of in others. I haven't written about the disparity of pastors' pay among various church groups, or use of church facilities for secular activities. And, I know better than to even touch on such volatile subjects as baptism, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and church kitchen rules.
Lutherans have a Greek word they often use to describe things that just don't matter: adiaphora. Some beliefs and church doctrines, while important to the individuals or church bodies that embrace them, really don't matter to God at all. I am convinced that every church embraces some traditions that are completely in line with the Bible's teaching, while holding fast to other traditions that may not be mentioned in the Bible at all, or may even be contrary to God's Word.
I am equally convinced that all churches, even those that some Christians consider to be cults, are made up of people we call Christians, who trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, as well as some people who do not yet trust in Jesus. In some churches, there may be very few believers, but it is quite likely that God has placed some Christians there to influence those who don't yet believe.
People attend church for many reasons; for some, it is a social club or family tradition. Some people are searching for help or answers to deep questions. Some attend out of feelings of obligation, while others are there to truly worship God. I've heard it said that the church is not meant to be a social club, made up of perfect people, but, instead, it is more like a hospital for sinners who know they need Jesus. There are no perfect people in any church!
I don't think Christians have any business judging other Christians or church groups for their different practices and doctrines. Instead, we need to build each other up, and celebrate our unity in Jesus, the one who took away our sins, took our punishment, and rose again from the dead so that we, too, may live.
Romans 14--the whole chapter-- has a lot to say about this topic. Here are some exerpts:
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters...Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand...Why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God."..Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
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