Have you ever been bored in Church? Hahaha! Of course you have! The only people who haven’t experienced sleep inducing boredom in Church are the people who haven’t BEEN to church. After the waiting room at the doctor’s office, Church is the dullest place on Earth.
“HOLD ON, JOHN!! MY CHURCH IS EXCITING!! THERE’S MUSIC AND SINGING AND FREE DONUTS!! IT”S NOT BORING AT ALL!”
What I’m about to say is shocking. It’s so shocking, you’ll probably think I’m not telling the truth but I promise I’m completely sincere. The music and singing in church is boring to me. I’m just not into it. I’m telling you this not to condemn the practice of singing in church but to acknowledge that church is sometimes boring. So, whose fault is it when I’m bored?
The easiest answer is, it’s the church’s fault. There are lots of spiritual sounding ways to say, “I’m bored in church.”
- My needs aren’t being met.
- I’m not being fed.
- The services are shallow.
- There’s nothing for my kids.
- The congregation lacks maturity.
- I’m not being challenged.
All of these statements imply that it’s the church’s fault when I’m bored. But don’t take my word for it. Suggest to your pastor that your needs aren’t being met and I bet you’ll get an apology. Church staff will take full responsibility for any discontentment you suffer during services.
You disagree though. You would say my boredom is my fault.
“I DIDN’T SAY IT’S YOUR FAULT WHEN YOU’RE BORED, JOHN!”
Sure you did; when you constantly talk about the “EXCITING MUSIC AND SINGING AND FREE DONUTS” at your church. You’re telling me this stuff is EXCITING – but I’m bored. So, there must be something wrong with me.
Relax…I’m not mad. I actually agree with you! When I’m bored, it’s my fault. I can’t blame the song service or the sermon or the spiritual maturity of the congregation or the children’s ministry when I’m feeling uninspired. Because no matter how EXCITING and COMPELLING and WONDERFUL things are at church, I’m going to be bored sometimes. It is a mistake to measure my spiritual depth by the amount of personal EXCITEMENT I’m currently experiencing.
But that goes for you too. When you find yourself uninspired by the church experience, it’s your fault, not the church’s. It’s not God’s fault either. The purpose of discipleship is to become more like Jesus, not to move from one euphoric worship experience to the next. Following Jesus requires developing a heart for boredom because most of the time, things aren’t really very exciting.
All man’s efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others? Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
– Ecclesiastes 6:5
One Response
I’ve learned that I need to begin preparing for church and worship on Saturday evening. I have to refocus my brain and leave everything but God outside the door of the church. If I’m bored I’m not listening to the right voice.