The Tension Between Old and New

One of the biggest questions we face in church leadership today is this: How do we move forward without losing where we came from?

That question sits with me often, especially in a place like St. John’s Church, where tradition runs deep. Our building, our liturgy, and even our community rhythms are grounded in a long history. And yet, we are not a museum. We are a living church, called to serve today’s world with relevance and compassion.

There is always a push and pull between tradition and innovation. But I’ve come to believe that the two are not opposites. In fact, when handled with care, tradition can be the foundation that makes thoughtful progress possible.

What Tradition Really Offers

When we hear the word “tradition,” we sometimes think of rigidity or resistance to change. But that is not the whole story. Tradition is not about clinging to the past. It is about remembering what has carried us through.

In the church, tradition gives us language for worship, structure for community life, and a deep well of wisdom to draw from. It helps us stay grounded when everything else is shifting. It reminds us who we are and what we value most.

In operational leadership, tradition shows up in how we run meetings, how we mark the seasons, how we communicate with the congregation, and how we care for our spaces. These habits and systems, built over time, give us stability.

Rather than seeing tradition as something that holds us back, I try to view it as a set of roots that anchor us while we stretch and grow.

Innovation with Purpose

Innovation is important. Churches, like any organization, need to adapt. Technology changes. Communication styles evolve. New generations bring different questions and expectations. And communities around us are facing challenges that require new kinds of ministry and outreach.

But change for the sake of change rarely works. What does work is innovation with purpose, that is, change that flows from a deep understanding of our mission and values.

Before we try something new at St. John’s, I always ask a few questions:

• Does this align with who we are as a church?
  
• Will this strengthen our ability to serve and connect?
  
• Are we honoring the voices and history that brought us here?
  

When we answer those questions honestly, we are more likely to introduce changes that are not just trendy, but meaningful and lasting.

Listening to the Community

One of the best ways to balance tradition and innovation is by listening well. That includes long-time members who have seen the church through many seasons, as well as newer voices who bring fresh perspectives and ideas.

At St. John’s, we try to create space for those conversations. We host forums. We gather feedback. We encourage staff to reflect on what is working and where there is room for improvement. And we pay attention not just to what people say, but to what they care about.

That listening helps guide our decisions. It helps us identify what traditions are most deeply valued and what patterns might be ready for a refresh. It also reminds us that the church is not led from the top down. It is shaped by the people who show up, serve, worship, and grow together.

Practical Examples of Rooted Innovation

Over the past few years, we have made a number of small but meaningful changes at St. John’s that reflect this balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation.

We introduced online worship options, especially during and after the pandemic, to help people stay connected even when they couldn’t be in the pews. We added new communication tools like e-newsletters and social media to reach people more consistently. We have adjusted the flow of certain services to be more welcoming to newer members, while still keeping familiar elements that long-time members expect.

We also made updates to our building and facilities, making them more accessible and energy-efficient, while preserving their historic character.

Each of these steps required conversations, planning, and trust. And in each case, we found that by rooting ourselves in our mission and values, we were able to move forward with confidence.

Tradition as a Source of Courage

There is something powerful about standing in a sanctuary where generations have prayed, sung, and celebrated together. That sense of continuity gives us courage. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and that we do not have to reinvent everything from scratch.

When challenges come, we can look to the past for strength. We can ask, “How have we responded to change before? What values did we hold onto? What practices helped us move forward?”

By remembering those stories, we find clarity for the road ahead.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Church leadership is not about choosing between the past and the future. It is about bringing the wisdom of the past into conversation with the needs of the present. It is about being rooted and ready, deeply connected to our identity and always open to what comes next.

As I continue in my role at St. John’s, I hope to lead in a way that honors our traditions while making room for growth. I hope to create space where new ideas are welcomed and where long-standing practices are respected.

And I hope we never lose sight of why we do any of it, to build a faithful, compassionate community that serves the world with love and integrity.