Bored in Church

There is an epidemic among millennial Christians (speaking as one of them) that doesn’t make any sense. We are bored out of our minds in church. Am I the only one who think that’s strange? Our generation has many characteristics that would make practicing Christianity appealing to us. We are cause-driven, extremely passionate, creative, connected and flexible. We love to work, probably too much, and we have a strong desire to take part in something greater than ourselves.

In addition, church itself has evolved significantly in form and tradition in the past 20-30 years. Even small churches are using technology to create an atmosphere more appealing to the younger generations – lighting, staging, use of artistic media, modern music, and creative illustrations. Some larger churches more closely resemble a concert venue than a church on purpose!

Now you might think I’m about to criticize those churches, but you’d be wrong. Using bright lights, fog machines, and artistic presentation isn’t a sin. But what I am going to suggest, is that those things have no impact on how interested millennials are in church. Here are three things I’d like to challenge you to think on…

#1 – The opposite of boredom isn’t entertainment, it’s engagement!

The church doesn’t exist to entertain, nor should it. While being entertained isn’t a sin, it also isn’t a purpose. The church in it’s purest form is saved-by-grace believers, fulfilling the calling of Jesus together. So the effort shouldn’t be trying to engage in a service, the effort should be trying to engage with Jesus… which is a lifestyle, not an activity.

#2 – Sometimes the service won’t be for you.

There are lots of methods that can keep people’s attention. But God doesn’t anoint methods, He anoints people.

If a Pastor is preaching the Word, there are times when people will refuse to engage with it… or even listen to it at all! Jesus experienced it (John 6:60-71). You can describe this behavior all kinds of ways… but I have to keep it real. It’s called disobedience. If disobedience goes on long enough in our lives, the inevitable result will be boredom. Because we won’t be walking out the reason we exist. Romans 12:2-3 tells us that it is when we offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice that we will be given the ability to discern His will. I guess I just want churchgoers to understand that if church is boring to them, it doesn’t necessarily mean the church isn’t doing what it’s supposed to do.

Have some grace with the Pastor who isn’t speaking directly into your life every time. Keeping you in the seat (bored) isn’t the highest goal, winning you to Christ is… Plus, who knows who else is in the room that needs to hear it?

# 3 – Sunday mornings are important, but they are a very small part of the Christian walk.

Can I be real with you for a minute? I’ve been in a relationship with Jesus for almost ten years and sometimes I think church services are boring. Sometimes the worship drags on. Sometimes the preaching is redundant. Sometimes I don’t want to go. (Gasp! And I’m a Pastor’s wife!)

Well-meaning people have given me advice that sounds like this:

“Try taking notes. That will help you stay focused.”

“Oh, come on now. The Christian life isn’t boring. You must not be trying hard enough.”

“What if you made more suggestions to the Pastor about topics that interest you?”

“It could be your church, have you tried this other church? They have better services.”

I’ve never found peace in that advice because 1) it’s not Biblical and 2) it implies that with Christian maturity, you’ll outgrow boredom. But I don’t believe you outgrow boredom, I think you overcome boredom.

All this to say, being bored doesn’t rattle me anymore. I’ve learned that Sunday morning isn’t the standard by which I measure my faith. Worship, study of the Word, and devotion to Jesus is a 24/7 walk. What does my faith look like on the other six and a half days of the week? When my Pastor is talking the paint off the walls, I can rest in the fact that my relationship with Jesus is bigger. Maybe I’m not engaged by a sermon or a song, but I am engaged with my Jesus. He has given me a love for His church, and a reason to be there.

Originally posted on Hannah’s site – http://youcanspellitbackwards.com.