Our goal is not to recover tradition for tradition’s sake, but to slow down together as a church—to repent, pray, and prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday. In Christ we are free from legalism, yet free to pursue rhythms that help us fix our eyes on Jesus.

We have been asking members of our church—men, women, and students—to participate in the public reading of Scripture. Each week, the reader leads us in a short call and response. Afterward, the reader says, “This is the Word of the Lord” to which the congregation responds, “Thanks be to God.” Most have enthusiastically accepted this while some have wondered why.