It is a commonly accepted aspect of the American psyche that what is new is better. You may remember the virtually ubiquitous presence of a large-lettered “NEW” included in many advertisements. In these advertisements what is assumed is that NEW means “better.” But is that always true?
An interesting example can be taken from the construction industry. Prior to the early 1900s timber framing was the primary method of building a house. Since then balloon framing and platform framing has replaced timber framing as a method of construction.
It is true that with modern construction techniques a house can be built more quickly and with less skill, but is that the point? What about the quality of the result? Timber framing produces buildings that last longer, are structurally stronger and are more aesthetically pleasing than modern methods of construction. A building method at least a hundred years old is superior in many important aspects to that used today.
This is just one example of how, in spite of decades of improvements, technology and discovery, it may still be true that old ways can be superior than new.
The same is true for the Christian church. There have been many changes over the past several centuries, but how many of them have been improvements? Not many.
A small group of Lake County residents have a vision for a new church in Lake County that harks back to the Protestant Reformation for the biblical principles that guide what makes a church.
These principles, sometimes called the Five Solas of the Reformation are five phrases (or slogans), based squarely on the Bible, emerged during the Reformation to summarize the Reformers” theological convictions about the essentials of Christianity.
These principles are that the Bible alone is the highest authority, that we are saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ, that salvation comes from God by grace alone, that Christ alone is the mediator between God and man and is alone our Lord, Savior and King, and finally that we live for the glory of God alone.
We call this church “Reformed” because of its basis on these historical principles. These goals may seem high and lofty, however they are actually quite basic in that they simply mean that our object is to carefully follow the Bible in what we believe and what is essential in a Christian church.
As a Reformed church our new church will be characterized by worship that is purposely directed to God. This is expressed by the faithful, expository preaching of the gospel from the pulpit, the faithful administration of the sacraments, and the faithful exercise of church discipline together with reverent worship that fully appreciates all that the church in its rich history has to offer.
Expository preaching is preaching that works its way through the Bible verse by verse explaining its meaning and how it applies to our daily lives. What has changed over the years is that preachers have begun to preach sermons that seem to be more intended to entertain those sitting in the seats.
The faithful administration of the sacraments is simply that the two sacraments of baptism and communion are carefully and regularly administered according to how Jesus instituted them in the New Testament.
The faithful administration of church discipline simply means that church members are lovingly held accountable by church leaders to the standards of Christian behavior as taught in the Bible.
We intend to give full appreciation for the great hymns of the church, while also appreciating the best of hymns being written today.
This effort is beginning with a Bible study, which started August 24 at the Nolder House behind the Lower Lake Community Methodist Church in downtown Lower Lake.
It is a 14-week study course on the basic truths of Christianity. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Lake County Reformed may be beginning a new church, but also an old church possessing the best qualities of the past.
