I’m reading back copies of Christian Century.
Where two or more are gathered, there are factions, as Paul noted in 1 Corinthians.
How about these two stories from one issue (January 6 – 13, 1999).
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A young rabbi found a serious problem in his new congregation. During the Friday service, half the congregation stood for the prayers and half remained seated, and each side shouted at the other, insisting that theirs was the true tradition. Nothing the rabbi said or did moved toward solving the impasse.
Finally, in desperation, the young rabbi sought out the synagogue’s 99-year old founder. He met the old rabbi in the nursing home, and poured out his troubles. ‘So tell me,’ he pleaded, ‘was it the tradition for the congregation to stand during the prayers?’
‘No’, answered the old rabbi.
‘Ah’, responded the younger man, ‘then it was the tradition to sit during the prayers?’
‘No,’ answered the old rabbi.
‘Well,’ the young rabbi responded, ‘what we have is complete chaos! Half the people stand and shout, and the other half sit and scream.’
‘Ah,’ said the old man, ‘*that* was the tradition.’
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The high-profile publisher of a Sikh newspaper in Vancouver, British Columbia, was murdered November 18 in an attack police said they believe is part of an ongoing conflict between Sikh moderates and traditionalists.
Traditionalist Sikhs believe they should eat while sitting on the temple floor; moderate Sikhs believe it is acceptable to eat using tables and chairs. The practice of eating while squat on the floor was initiated 500 years ago by Guru Nanak as a symbol of Sikh equality. But moderate Sikhs, many of whom don’t wear the traditional turban, believe it’s all right to adapt Sikh customs to modern times and use tables and chairs.
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Thought y’all could use those two important stories somewhere in a sermon :-)!
idea of using a Data Projector. Not traditional? No. Cost? No. It’s because it’s ‘sexy’ and the megachurches use ’em. (I remember similar sentiments when overhead projectors became popular).
Shalom!
Rowland Croucher
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