The practical benefit of historic catholicity in our ministry is two-fold.

First, by honoring universal practice we can join hands in worship with the church of the past, the church triumphant, using the forms that they used before us: singing their hymns and psalms, praying their prayers, preaching expositorily (as they did), and generally using their order. This engenders a view of belonging to something bigger than ourselves, solidifying our self-concept as Reformed Christians, as Protestants, and as mere Christians whose beliefs and practices are rooted in the Scriptures, the early church, and the Reformed tradition. There is something thrilling about singing a hymn or reciting a creed that Christians have used for centuries before us.

Second, by honoring universal practice we can join hands in worship with the church of the future. Think in terms of the church’s songs. When the Family Worship Book was assembled, we gave serious consideration to what songs families should concentrate on in their family devotions.1 We considered including some of the better “Scripture Songs” for the use of the children. In the end we did not because we wanted them to invest the time designated for songs singing those songs that were likely to endure into their adult years, and which could be passed on to their children and grandchildren. Commenting on what makes a given piece of music “durable” (his word), John D. Witvliet answers, “It transcends the cultural movement in which it was written.” He reminds us of “Pass it On” (“It only takes a spark”) and other popular songs from the 1970’s that have not endured. He concludes, “It is wise for us to discern which texts and melodies are the most likely to endure. Over time, singing songs that have the potential to endure will prove to be a wise investment of our singing energy.”2 This sums up well our point. Better to teach one’s congregation the best lyrics and the best music of the Christian tradition, those that have endured the test of time and are likely to be around for them to teach their children, who, in turn, will teach them to their children. This is exactly what is envisioned in Psalm 78:1-8, as parents are exhorted to teach their children “that they (i.e. their children) might arise and tell them (i.e. God’s praises) to their children” (Psalm 78:6 NASV). Might that not be one reason why God included a canonical hymn book, the Psalms? We find compelling the picture of multi-generational families gathered around the hearth, and of multi-generational churches gathered around the pulpit singing the Psalms and hymns of the church, and more generally, worshiping as their fathers had for generations before them.

Third, by honoring universal practice we can worship with the church of the present. Today it is not race or ethnicity that separates Christians, but forms of worship. The use of historic forms that belong to the church, and not to a particular group within the church, makes fellowship among differing Christians possible. This brings us to our next point.