March 24, 2026

Sacred Cows

1 Samuel 15:22 – “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'”

The term “sacred cow” has come to represent any tradition or practice considered immune from criticism or change. Within church communities, these untouchable elements often begin as legitimate expressions of worship or ministry but gradually transform into idols—things we protect and preserve even when they no longer serve their original purpose or actually hinder God’s current work.

King Saul encountered this tension when commanded to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions. Instead, he preserved the best animals, justifying his disobedience as an intention to sacrifice them to God. Samuel’s response was piercing: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Saul had created a sacred cow—valuing the religious act of sacrifice over the more fundamental virtue of obedience.

Churches today face similar challenges. Perhaps it’s a beloved program that once thrived but now consumes resources without bearing fruit. Maybe it’s a worship style clung to for sentimental reasons. It could be a building maintained at enormous cost while ministry opportunities go unfunded. Often, it’s simply “the way we’ve always done things” elevated above the mission itself.

Jesus confronted numerous sacred cows during His ministry. He challenged Sabbath regulations that had become more important than human needs. He questioned temple practices that hindered rather than helped worshippers. He demonstrated that no tradition, however long-standing, should supersede God’s purposes for His people.

The test of any church practice is simple yet demanding: Does it continue to serve God’s mission, or has it become an end in itself? Are we protecting it because it advances the Kingdom, or because we’ve invested too much to let it go?

Today’s Prayer: Lord, reveal any sacred cows I’ve been protecting and give me courage to hold traditions. Amen.

Reflection Question: What tradition or practice in your spiritual life has been transformed into a sacred cow?