Comments on: Church is boring

By: Rocky Henriques

Rocky Henriques — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 02:30:59 +0000

First time here, but I’ve got to weigh in. Someone has made the comment about church not being boring to the pastor and worship team, but that it’s the congregation that is bored. Sometimes it helps to “reframe” the issue. In this case, let’s compare going to church with watching a television program. Those of us who are watching could be compared to the congregation in the church. If the program is something we are interested in, we won’t be bored. But if we are not interested, we change the channel. I realize it’s not as simple as this, but there is certainly something to be said about our own interest level. If it is something I am not interested in, then I will be bored. It’s just too, too easy to assume that if I am bored, then it must be someone else’s fault.

By: <MikeLu

<MikeLu — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:05:11 +0000

Do you want to know why church is boring? It is simple. It is because it IS boring. Pampered priests carrying out orders from
some old man back in Rome. But when a parishoner asks an honest question about the faith, then the priest makes the person feel guilty. Do you want to know what would make church more interesting? Debates. Many people have questions
but are afraid to ask. Most are like my old aunt. When I asked her why she believes this way she says that it was the way
she was TOLD to believe. She is just another robot in the church, afraid to ask questions and always ASSUMING that she
was told the truth, even when it does not make sense.

By: tiro

tiro — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:18:50 +0000

"Hi Pam, I'm not so sure that smaller and more interactive churches would ultimately "solve" boredom."

They actually solve a large part of it by involving those who want to be involved instead of sitting and listening. Seeker churches solve newbie problems, but we don't stay newbie's forever. At some point the newbie's are going to get full up on the seeker programs and want something more. It appears that the church in general needs diversity in how church is done in order to reach all.

By: tiro

tiro — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:18:50 +0000

By: Mark | hereiblog

Mark | hereiblog — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:15:02 +0000

Jeff, good thoughts. I agree that the seeker folks have created environments that are not “boring.” But then there is that problem of the Gospel and/or maturity and growth in Christ. I.e. Willow Creek's Reveal study.

I know what you mean about the kids as I teach middle-school boys SS. Part of the problem with youth groups sometimes is they focus too much on being “exciting” in a worldly-type of way. The youth get used to be entertained and miss the real reason they are there. Some how it seems we'd do better if we could get them serving the church in different capacities. That is, giving instead of just receiving.

By: Jeffrey Holton

Jeffrey Holton — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:04:18 +0000

This blog isn't the time to get into a debate on the issue, but let me say that for all the time I spend being critical of the person-oriented "seeker service," the best argument in their defense is that they've solved the "church is boring" claim. People who otherwise would never ponder spiritual thoughts are getting some exposure, and a chance to at least understand what it is that they're saying no to. [But they're not getting church, argh!]

That being said, I teach high school Sunday School at a *very* liturgy-based church. Every year, on the first day of class, I remind the kids of an article I read that said people stop going to church because it's boring. I let them know that if they're bored, they're probably not quite clear on what it is that's going on, because the services are rich, varied, complex, complicated, and amazingly, mind-blowingly incomprehensible at times (in keeping with the awesomeness of God). I encourage them to ask a lot of questions, even if they don't get the answers.

Keep asking questions. It keeps our minds knowing that there's something else to learn instead of blaming someone else for our lack of interest.

By: pamsnyder

pamsnyder — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:48:14 +0000

I've been on both sides of this fence. I used to wonder why people wouldn't be sitting in the pew every chance they got. Now I wonder how ever did we get in the rut we are in. My intent is not to criticize the way church is done. God can get through to people in whatever setting, but in this day and age with our culture inundated with entertainment, it's hard not to see the Sunday morning worship service as entertainment based whether that's the intent or not. I've been on the side of the fence that criticized the people with the wrong attitudes coming to church, putting in their time, so to speak. That also is unfair and unhelpful. Rather than have the bored ones buck up and put their time in, why not look at new wine skins. It's much harder to be bored when you have an active part in the proceedings. What can lead the people into a deeper relationship with Jesus that will take care of the boredom. These are just thoughts. Like I said, I believe there is a place for the big church worship service. There's nothing to compare to a group of God's people lifting their voices in worship, but it's too easy to become a spectator when it's three songs and a sermon each and every Sunday morning.

By: sdansmith

sdansmith — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:26:28 +0000

I was bored growing up in a small church in Kansas, and I taught Sunday School as a high schooler, so the fact is that I wasn't bored because of a lack of interaction. The problem was that it wasn't a priority to me. Football, running, blogging, the Navy…all of that stuff is priority to me, so I do it and usually do it happily (or watch happily in the case of football). Church is different. In my nature, I am not excited about church. I know. I just admitted that I'm a horrible person. But if I can do that then maybe I can move forward.

By: Mark | hereiblog

Mark | hereiblog — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:14:21 +0000

Hi Pam, I'm not so sure that smaller and more interactive churches would ultimately "solve" boredom. I understand what you are saying about the performance/audience setting. Though I think it unfair and unhelpful to reference it as such.

It seems to have more to do with the American culture than the method of worship structure. I have no idea of the folks back in Jonathan Edwards day were bored, but Edwards gave long monotone sermons and many came to faith in Christ through them. It seems in today's culture no matter what type of entertainment is given it soon becomes not enough. People start looking for something bigger and better.

Maybe what you propose in the smaller setting would be better for some people. However, where ever we worship we need the right perspective of why we are there. I mean that we should get rid of any attitude of being entertained and/or that there is something we deserve to have in some manner to satisfy a specific want.

There are some more thoughts from my perspective. Thanks for stopping by.

By: pamsnyder

pamsnyder — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:17:16 +0000

I think the problem with boredom stems from the lack of involvement of the congregation. I'm sure no one on stage (performing) is bored. It's the congregation (audience) that is bored. Is there a way to “do church” without a performance/audience paradigm? There is in small, organic type churches, but is there a way in a larger setting? I don't have an answer, but I think it merits some pondering. In small groups where everyone has a say or a part, there's no complaining about being bored. The boredom comes from the congregation being the audience and the praise team and pastor being the performers. The people in charge have to change that first otherwise church becomes a sacrifice for God. I put my time in to “honor God.” What would Jesus Do?

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:19:25 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by hereiblog: Church is boring | right? at: http://bit.ly/7XOB2g (please RT)…

By: Tweets that mention Church is boring | right? -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention Church is boring | right? -- Topsy.com — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:14:30 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Lamprecht and Joel Taylor, elise schafer. elise schafer said: RT @hereiblog Church is boring right? at: http://bit.ly/7XOB2g (plz RT) //not my church! Have yet 2 be bored or service 2 long. 2hr service [...]