I kinda think that most of the tradition in most churches is simply that... tradition... simple, old, man made tradition with little to do with God. I grew up in a straight laced church, with lots of tradition. We had fun, but there was lots to taboo things we could not do while at church.My mom grew up in the same church and she used to tell us about being the pastor scolding her after church for wearing lipstick in church, as well as nylon stockings ( I can hardly believe that!!) It was not that strict in my early days, but you were expected to dress appropriately for church, and we always wore our best clothes.Smoking, drinking and even dancing were taboo.(Those who know me, probably do not know much about this part of my life, as I became a really black sheep ) The church was static, and church growth was something you just heard about, but never really saw.
The change started about 15 years ago, and slowly it moved to a more relaxed place. The pastors seldom wear a suit other than funerals or weddings. Dress is casual, and church growth is amazing. This church went from 1 pastor to 6 pastors in the last 15 or so years. The music changed and now there is a full band with some world class musicians.There is a drama team that has some exceptional actors. Soon after some of the changes were made, this church went to two services on Sunday.Next came a major church expansion that added more than 4 times as many seats. Now if you don't get there on time, you have to really look to find a place to sit.Church attendance is probably in the 600-700 each week, and this is a town of 10,000 with at least 15 other churches. The only thing that did not change was the message. It remained the same.Church has an element of fun to it, and it is not just a ritual. The way the message was presented was changed. I do not get there as often as I should, especially in calving season and when the fall shows and sales are on, and when I do go now, I doubt if I know the names of at least 1/2 the people attending.
If the wedding entrance shown in this video had happened in this church 15 years ago, I think the people would have tossed this wedding party out the door and doomed them to the hottest part of Hell. Now, I think this wedding entrance would be well accepted and it would be the talk of the town. Even though I was raised in a straight laced, strict church, I was not appalled by this video. I thought it was great. If they had continued to act in wild and crazy ways, once the actual ceremony started, that may have been a little over the top, and uncalled for. Weddings are supposed to be celebrations of the joining of two lives. Yes there is a serious component to them, but there should be lot of places for fun and celebration.