With all of the “new age” and “contemporary” worship services available, some feel as if the old church style has gotten a bit boring. Do you think it is boring going to church? Do you get bored easily? Does your mind wander and you daydream during church service? Or is your pastor totally boring as expounds his sermon?
First, the question should never be “Is your church boring?,” but rather, “Is your church Biblical?” Another great question is: “Is your pastor teaching the Bible?”
There are far too many churches these days that have flashy music, elaborate stages and buildings, motivational pastors, and exciting atmospheres–yet they are leading their congregations to hell because they do not preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the only thing that saves.
A faithful church is to be desired more than an “exciting” church. If the church is faithful, then it will be exciting to those who are saved. If a church is not faithful, and must resort to fancy bands, and “world-like” church services to increase memberships, then it will probably only be exciting to those who are dead in their sins, and looking for a worldly worship experience.
Preachers also must be faithful. They shouldn’t seek to be rock stars, motivational speakers, or famous people. Rather, they should spend time seeking God’s face and then boldly preach His word.
Jonathan Edwards, one of the great preachers in the 1700’s, would not have been considered an “exciting” preacher by today’s standard. It was said that he would read his sermons word-for-word from a sheet of paper only a few inches from his face. If that wasn’t bad enough for you to imagine, he also spoke in a monotone voice. There were no theatrics, no fancy music, no television screens, no lighting effects, nor anything else to get excited about.
But he once gave a sermon that stirred the crowd with extreme emotion. The sermon was titled: “Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God.” It was said that the people were gasping, crying out, and even holding on to their pews from fear of falling into hell. That’s how real his sermon was to them. All this, mind you, as he read from a sheet of paper he had prepared, and said it all in that monotone voice. So what’s my point?
The point is this: If a preacher is a faithful preacher of the word of God, the Holy Spirit will do the work. The Holy Spirit can make you feel a deep sense of conviction, a powerful sense of love, a rush of excitement, or a terrifying sense of guilt and shame. The Holy Spirit will do His part, if the preacher will do his part, which is to proclaim the word of God.
God’s words says this:
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Is your church boring? It doesn’t matter. Is your church biblical? That’s what counts. If it is biblical, then the Holy Spirit will shake things up and take it to new heights.
If the church isn’t biblical, then no amount of entertainment or theatrics will convict a sinner, teach truth, or make a true change in the heart. Only the Holy Spirit can do that.
Also, if it is a biblical church, and you still feel it is too boring, then what are you contributing to make it better? Is there something you can recommend to your congregation, that is a Godly way to enhance the service?
And if the preacher isn’t teaching the word of God, then yes, it can be quite boring. My grandparents love their pastor. He’s a Godly man, but sadly, he is very old now. He no longer teaches the word of God very well, and mostly talks about stories from his past. Not surprisingly, the church is going nowhere fast. People aren’t being fed, even though there is a desire there. In that case, perhaps the church should get together and speak to the elders respectfully, and explain that the pastor isn’t teaching the word as he should.
I leave you with this question: Is your church or pastor biblical? If so, you are blessed. Are you seeking truth when you attend church? Or is there unconfessed sin in your heart? Are you seeking entertainment and thrills, or a conviction that heals? Are you seeking words that motivate you, or scriptures that liberate you?
There are more than enough churches in the world that will entertain you, or make you feel warm and fuzzy about yourself. I’ve been to some. I don’t look for a church to make me feel warm and fuzzy–I look for a church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not just the “love and mercy,” but also the “judgment and wrath.” You cannot divide God’s character into only the pleasing parts (love, mercy, forgiveness). You must accept God as He is in His totality.
Lastly, have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior? If not, then why are you waiting? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Please take the opportunity right now to turn to God, confess your sins in repentance, and trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.