New title:  Why is BIG church so boring?

because we aren't big yet? 

2008-02-20 Core Truth

Why is church so boring?

Usually, I get asked this question every Summer either during or after camp. After a week of exciting worship, great speakers, good drama, and non-stop fun we come back to reality. “Why is church so boring?” What they mean is “Why can't church be like camp?”

The reason church can't be like camp (or youth group) is because YOU ARE NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THIS CHURCH!

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,
but holy and blameless.
Ephesians 5:25-27

God started the church, commands believers to go to church, and Jesus died for the church – it is important.

Camp is geared for you. Church is geared for everyone. Camp is awesome, and different every year. It is powerful and life changing. 

But this still doesn't quite answer the question when teens ask me why church is boring.

So, why is church boring?

Answer: Church is boring when you are far from God.

Thought #1 -

Do you come to church for God or your friends/family?

Either God is your focus, or someone else is.

So you sit in a church service where 100 people are thinking about God, reading the Bible, and singing to and about God – BUT – you are there for other reasons? DUH. Of course YOU will be bored, but is it fair to say church is boring?

Church is boring when you are far from God.

Thought #2 -

Is church the only time/place that you are a “Christian?”

Church does not make you a Christian, loving God does.

Loving God means studying the Bible everyday in order to learn more about him. This makes you wonder what the Bible means sometimes, and preaching should make the Bible clearer to you. People who want to understand God better find church interesting and deeply meaningful, BUT . . . .

Church is boring when you are far from God.

Sometimes even Craigo gets bored. I want pastor Kevin to really dig deeply into the Bible and talk about the original languages of the Bible, and tell me what men like Spurgeon, Lewis, and Piper have said. But he won't very often because you are there – holding him back.

But I don't stay bored – I do my own Bible study, I read, I think of things that I would add to the sermon, or tell you later.

So what does Craig expect of you during church?

Singing – to God, if he means anything to you

Praying – confess, ask for help, fuel up for another week

Attention – take notes, sleep elsewhere, poetry, read Bible

Respect – your best manners, no pew hopping, no notes

Quiet – shut up, go talk somewhere else, phone off

Church is boring when you are far from God.

Spiritual things are boring when you don't care.

There are over 100 people in there who do care, so please don't draw attention to your selfish, self-centered, boring life by talking, writing notes, text messaging, climbing or walking on the seats, or falling asleep.

I would rather you left the service than cause people to think about you during church.

Church is boring when you are far from God, so

to make church meaningful you need to do things that draw you closer to God.

Pastor Kevin has been preaching and teaching the Bible over 11 years. He studies the Bible every week to teach people how to live spiritual lives, and people are getting it and changing – or else he would not be here!

Whose fault is it if you are bored? Yours or the preacher's?

Both – I need to make it real, and you need to do it.

We need to deliver the Bible, and you need to SPARQ