Church is boring.
I’ve heard it before and scratching the surface here’s what’s really being said. Every time we gather, what we do appeals to some, but it doesn’t appeal to me.
The response then is to jazz things up regarding what we do when we gather. It veers towards being more entertaining than edifying. If we get some drama in, some catchy songs, some feel good material, maybe that will keep people coming to the gathering and church can be less boring.
I actually don’t have a problem with the use of creative arts when we gather. People have different ways of expressing themselves and we benefit and are blessed by the diversity … as long as the motive is right. The trouble with entertaining over edifying is we’re not being prepared to do the very thing we were called to do – serve the Body and express Christ to the world.
I dare say some might have found Jesus’ parables and teaching amusing, engaging and entertaining in places. For those who followed Him and noted there was more to Him than just stories, it was clear they had to be about Kingdom business too. As the Son ascended so Kingdom responsibility infused some with the sense of Kingdom Adventure – selling what they had to help the poor among them; spreading the good news to the environment in which they found themselves; healing the sick; giving hope to the poor, building mutually edifying serving families of people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Some would go on missionary journeys beyond the home front. Some saw the mission as those at home. Men, women, boys and girls whose lives had forever been changed by encounters of the divine kind, finding their place and part in peacemaking efforts. Even to the point of defying the status quo and putting their lives at risk for the sake of the gospel.
There are still tons of opportunities for us today to recognise what we can do for the sake of the Kingdom. Linking with community services, developing community services, adopting or fostering, support for prisoners as they seek to be reintegrated into society, etc. So much can be done in response to Kingdom impulse that reinforces the sense of Kingdom Adventure that our times of gathering need not be stuck for choice for content. It doesn’t have to be monotonous, repetitive and solely to please a minority of folks content not to kick up a fuss for Jesus’ sake.
As we live in the light of the risen One we too can serve rather than be served and as such have no time or inclination to be bored by church. As we live in the light of the risen One, we can play our part in being examples to others of walking in the Spirit, overcoming opposition and standing up for Jesus.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 