Principles Vs. Methods
If there’s one conversation I enjoy having with my leaders is the difference between principles and methods. Here’s a simple way to understand the difference between the two: “Principles never change. Methods always do.”
- Having an inspiring worship service is a principle: contemporary or traditional is a method.
- Believers meeting together in small groups is a principle: cell groups or semester based affinity groups or other types of small group Bible study is a method.
- Evangelism and reaching out into the community is a principle: what it actually looks like in your context is a method.
- Having discipleship and helping our young people grow spiritually is a principle: having children’s church vs some kind of Sabbath school or Sunday school class is a method.
Principles last forever. Methods must be changed with each new generation to be able to reach them. The issue comes when we confuse the two and make sacred cows of a method. That’s why so many churches have declined into oblivion. Because they associated holding onto “truth” with a particular method. Unless we learn to separate the two many more ships will sink unnecessarily.
What do you think? What are some other ways that we often confuse methods or principles?
[image by PJTaylorPhoto]
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You did an excellent job of explaining this important truth. When I was in Bible School we called it Form versus function. I like principles versus methods better!
Thanks, Kevin. Yeah, I think there are various ways to understand this concept. Like you said, "form vs. function is another." In military circles they use "strategy vs. tactics." For my context as a pastor, I think this is one that makes the most sense to me. Cheers.
Good point.
LOL Rodlie.. I get it but personally I would word it differently in your examples. Ie. Worship should be inspiring is the principle and contemporary or traditional would be the method for bringing the principle about. Believers should meet together regularly is the principle and small groups, affinity groups, and bible studies would be the method to bring it about. All good bro and way to maintain your literary integrity!
So you're suggesting a change to the imperative voice for the bullet points?