But What if it's BORING?

Is it OK to stop going to church because it is boring?

My son and I had a conversation about boredom with regard to his schoolwork today and I think what I told him then also applies to the church.

There are times when the things we must do, or not do, as a member of a body are not necessarily our favorite things. They are tedious. They are uninteresting. They may even be unchallenging. But some of these tasks that might at first blush seem boring are really foundational to the faith we are building or in relationships we are trying to grow.

For example. Memorizing Bible verses. Honestly, this can be an exciting task when approached correctly, but even I grow weary of scripture memorization from time to time. It doesn't make it unimportant, though. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a crisis and a scripture I have memorized comes to mind that speaks to the exact situaion I am facing. Sometimes sitting in a Sunday School class is boring. I know. If you have grown up in church, most of the standard Bible stories and applications of scripture have been shared with us what seems like a million times. It would be great to have a "Beth Moore" as a Sunday school teacher, but such people are sadly few and far between. Besides, it is our responsibility to grow in the Word, not a Sunday school teacher's. So sometimes our classes leave a bit to be desired, if we are all being honest here. But when we see that hour as a time to reach out and form relationships with those people attending the class, it becomes very important.

I guess what I am saying is so often we go to church expecting to recieve something and are disappointed when we occasionally don't. Maybe it's because coming together as a church body is not always for our personal edification. Sometimes God wants us there to edify others.

All I know is some of the most meaningful moments in my church life have not been the result of a stirring sermon or a Sunday school teacher who knocked my socks off. They have been the times I sat with someone who was feeling very alone and needed a friend. Or when I was able to find a quiet spot after Sunday school to pray with someone who shared a personal need. Or even when I swept and mopped the floor after a potluck, laughing with my fellow workers while we completed our task.

If church seems boring it might be because we are not approaching that time with an attitude of service and ministry. Sometimes we really need others to support us, but we need to be more conscientious of those times others need our support. Whether church is boring that day or not.

And don't even get me started on the actual meaning of "boring." To me it means, "I don't feel like trying." But that's another blog for another day. Unless we want to tackle that in the comments, which is fine by me!

If church seems boring, make a point to seek someone out this Sunday to bless. You'll be surprised how NOT boring church becomes!