That was good for us at the beginning, and where I was as a young man. But, looking back, there was a better way of handling this. Rather than not having anything because of someone else’s abuses, I should have taught the congregation the proper way to celebrate an anniversary. We don’t stop using the Bible, because someone is misusing it. We simply use it correctly. Today twenty-eight years later, I believe that I understand the importance of celebrations, memorializations, the opportunity to reminisce, and the opportunity to say, “Thanks!”
We all know that worship is a very important element of the New Testament Church, but we probably don’t make the connection between worship and celebration. Well “celebration” is actually a synonym for worship, i.e. a word which has the same or nearly the same meaning. But the word “worship” deals much more with the substance of worship, while the word “celebration” deals much more with the outward observances, rituals, and ceremonies of worship. The word “celebration” also denotes the festive, merrymaking, grateful, happy aspects of worship. God has shown me that humanity needs celebration. He has shown me that celebration is a very important part of the Christian life!
He has shown me that celebration is of special significance and importance to African-American Christians and those who understand suffering.
In short, we need to fellowship together in festive celebrations commemorating what Jesus did for us on the cross, feasting on the Word of God!!! We should also celebrate the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, but there is another important time of celebration: anniversaries.