Good questions/concerns! A couple of thoughts.

1. We never want our Sunday gatherings to be a place of performance or entertainment. It is to be a time when a body of believers comes together “with one voice” to worship God. Therefore, if there are ways we can make the service more interactive while at the same time glorifying God, then we want to try to incorporate those things in our service.

2. In response to the two examples you brought up I would say both are rooted in church tradition, but both have a Biblical foundation. In responding, “Thanks be to God” we as the church with one voice are together proclaiming that we are thankful that our God is a speaking God who by grace has spoken to us through His word. This is also a chance for us a church to be reminded that what we just read is not simply the words or thoughts of man, but they are also God’s word. In ending the service with the words “Peace be with you” that is a call and a reminder that we are now able to live at peace due to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. If tradition is to be equated with a lack of passion, then our entire service is done without passion! Everything that we do at a Sunday gathering is rooted in Scripture, but many things also are rooted in tradition. Tradition shouldn’t be a bad word in the church, unless a church puts tradition over and above Scripture. Tradition connects us with the millions of believers who have come before us and reminds us that we are not called to be innovative but rather faithful.

I think many people do things mindlessly, but I don’t think the proper response is to simply get rid of tradition, but to instead instruct as to why we do what we do.

Thanks for the questions and the thoughts!!!