Greg Smith

Greg Smith claims that a school speed limit sign in White Lake, Michigan is far too complicated to be effective. He says that drivers “practically have to come to a stop to read it.” Town officials have agreed to look into the matter.

Sometimes we make things much more complicated than they need to be. I have seen churches weigh themselves down with so many rules and regulations that it is nearly impossible to make important decisions.

Jesus warns against such legalism. He said of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” (Matthew 23:4).

I understand that sometimes written guidelines can be helpful, but I have seen some extremely burdensome systems adopted by churches. Therefore, I have become quite intentional about avoiding legalistic situations. Once I was interviewing for a preaching position with a church, and I asked the leaders about their constitution and by-laws. One of the elders reached over and put his hand on my Bible and said, “This is all the constitution and by-laws we have.”

I thought that was a pretty good answer. What do you think?