Like a married woman who becomes dissatisfied reading romance novels, I have become dissatisfied with mundane Christianity as I’ve read the thrilling adventures of missionaries–men and women like Gladys Aylward, Esther Kim, Hudson Taylor, Samuel Morris, and Eric Liddell.
Our Kids are Bored
The book, Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it, makes the argument that young people are leaving the Christian church in droves because the church isn’t addressing the big questions on evolution and the veracity of the Bible. I agree, but I also believe that young people are leaving because they’re bored. My son is currently on his mission trip to Africa. He called me from Nairobi more excited than I’ve heard him in years. The Kenyan church is on fire for God, he told me. I don’t want the flame to go out when he returns.
I’m Bored, Too
I’m only 40-something, but I’m bored, too. By boredom, I don’t mean that God is boring, because He isn’t. The relationship I have with Jesus Christ is the most exciting relationship I’ve ever had or will ever have. One reason He is so exciting to me is because He challenges me. He isn’t like a teacher who keeps saying, “Good, good” to everything I do. Instead, He says, “Good! Now try this.” What I’m asked to do always seems beyond my reach, but it isn’t.
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. (Deut. 30:11)
While my personal relationship with Christ is exciting, my corporate relationship isn’t. In other words, I don’t feel my church challenges me the way Jesus does. Instead, I’m asked to do easy things I could do when I was six. I’m still dropping money in the offering basket, singing songs, and folding my hands to pray. Is that all there is?
I don’t think so. Anything becomes boring when it’s repetitive and disconnected from its purpose.
God Isn’t Boring
A few years ago, a friend of mine asked me to donate shoes to her missionary friend who works in a remote area of Africa. I gathered up shoes from my closet with no more thought than I give to any decluttering. Some time later, I received a photo (I can’t find it or I would share it) of the women wearing my shoes, so giddy with joy they were practically levitating. I sat at my computer and wept and wept. Giving shoes was suddenly anything but boring.
I don’t know what the answer is to the boredom epidemic in our churches, but I’m asking God to challenge me in this area. Here’s a link to a great video on why God isn’t boring.
Mornin’ Girl!
How appropriate that I would be reading this before going off to “church” this morning! 🙂 I think there can always be a struggle and discontent in our hearts over this matter. We’re learning to live out HIS love for HIS Corporate Church and the lost around the world… I hope your son is forever changed by His missions experience. The humbleness in knowing we need God above all else is so needed in our society here. My home church is gathering to pray more than we ever have before… when we say “yes” to the whisperings and promptings of the Holy Spirit… it’s like nothing else! Blessings out to you to sister, as we continue learning, living, and loving under the authority of our GREAT GOD! Yay!!! ~ Blessings, Amy 🙂
I think that’s so great, Amy, that your church is in prayer. I also loved what you said about learning to love His church. Fortunately, I’m in a better place than when I wrote this post. 🙂 There are great blessings about my church and the church as a whole. I need to remain thankful for them. Hope you had a blessed time of worship.
I think the key is coupling the church’s work with your own efforts for your family. That’s what I hope we can do.
Loren, that’s always been our strategy, too. The trouble starts when you feel the church is working at cross purposes where your kids are concerned. I don’t think that’s ever intentional, but it happens sometimes nonetheless.
Wow Melanie right on I totally agree. It’s a shame that we can fill up sports stadiums, sell out concerts and fill movie theaters and church becomes a place of warmed over messages with zombie walkers.
When we moved to Texas, we were so fortunate to find a church that our kids were excited to attend and the pastor finally taught something that I remembered on Monday and wanted to listen to the podcast again on Tuesday.
I’d encourage you to check out a podcast of Matt Chandler from the Village Church in Flower Mound Texas. You will be moved.
Stay Strong and Be Inspired.
Thanks, Geoff. I will definitely check out his podcasts! The blessing is we can listen to wonderful teaching no matter where we go to church AND can fellowship with other believers around the world.
This is such an astute observation. I do sometimes find church boring. Sometimes the people leading on stage seem about as excited as if they’re facing the prospect of a nap. I’ve been to churches that aren’t boring – Elevation in Charlotte for one. We need more of that and less of the same boring brand of Christianity we’ve been peddling for years.
I definitely don’t mean to church bash. I think sometimes we forget what church is all about. It’s not this church or that person. In fact, a lot of times it’s ME.
I agree Mel. I think the church doesn’t ask enough of us and I agree that God always asks just above what we think is possible. Anything that is just the same routine week after week seems “dead” if the congregation seems to just be going through the motions. Once in a while our youngest pastor will preach something that really asks more of us and shakes things up. I would like to see the church called to “radical obedience” and “sacrifice” for the gospel.
You’re my first comment on the new site. Thanks so much for taking the time. It’s awesome to consider what would happen if the whole church (not just our congregation) would respond to that call, isn’t it? When I get discouraged, I remember that we can’t do anything — even responding as His people — without His power. Praying for revival in myself, the church, the nation, and the world.