The Bored and the Stagnant: Recipe for Church Problems

The Bored

Some Christians always seem to desire something different in the worship or work of the church. They think that change will automatically reinvigorate them or make things better. This is similar to how people seek new cars, houses, jobs, or possessions to fix their personal boredom. Some even seek affairs or divorce to find a new spouse, thinking it will cure their discontent.

However, change eventually settles into a new routine. The old boredom and discontent returns because they treated the symptoms instead of the root problem. We do not seek to change things that are already effective and fulfilling. When people feel that the worship is dead, they are often looking for the church to change, rather than looking at themselves.

If we look into our own hearts, we might find a lack of love, commitment, or total dedication to God. Many people search for an exciting “worship experience” or outward changes to fill a void that must be filled from within. Shallow faith makes us highly sensitive to external conditions. Instead of building a complete life in God, we focus on whether our immediate preferences are met.

The Stagnant

It is easy to look down on the dissatisfied and judge their instability. However, we must not be too quick to point fingers. It is entirely possible that we have settled for stagnation in our own worship and service to God. Consider if these thoughts sound familiar:

• Why do we need to learn new songs? Aren’t the old ones good enough?
• Why did that brother spend so much time talking before the Lord’s Supper? Why can’t we just pray and pass the plates?
• Why did the song leader lead so many songs? Doesn’t he know we have lunch waiting?
• Why do the leaders keep urging us to practice hospitality and serve those in need?

Some Christians are content with dry, lifeless worship because it fits their comfortable routine. Just like those who seek constant innovation, the stagnant Christian often lacks a deep, personal commitment to God. Instead of seeking a connection with the Lord, they simply want to fulfill their weekly duty and get on with their lives.

They show up to services, mumble the songs, bow their heads in prayer, and listen politely to the sermon (perhaps with a nap or two). Afterward, they return to a life that revolves entirely around their own desires. This shallow faith is just as dangerous as the search for constant change.

This was a major issue in the Old Testament. Consider the warning from the prophet Amos:

Amos 4:4-5: “Come to Bethel, and transgress (sin against God); to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days; offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel!” declares the Lord God.

The people were attending worship services, but they were doing it for their own pleasure rather than God’s glory. They enjoyed the ritual, but God did not. Amos warned them further:

Amos 5:21-24: “I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies (sacred religious gatherings). Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

God refuses to accept empty worship that comes from unholy hearts. He is not pleased by mere rituals or shallow emotions. He desires the heartfelt worship of obedient, righteous people.

In Malachi 1:6-10, God condemned those who offered Him their second-best sacrifices. He went so far as to wish someone would lock the temple doors so they would stop wasting His time with useless worship.

The Easy Life is Dangerous!

In Amos 6:3-7, the prophet warned those who were living in luxurious ease. They amused themselves with music and fine food while ignoring the spiritual ruins around them. If Amos visited our congregations today, would he sound a similar alarm?

It is easy to spend our days resting on comfortable couches, watching television, browsing the internet, and focusing on our hobbies. Then, when the clock tells us it is time to serve God, we scramble to find our Bibles, rush to the church building, sit in our regular seats, and go through the motions of worship. Once finished, we immediately return to our regular routine.

We must make sure this description does not apply to us. To paraphrase God’s warnings in Amos and Malachi, He would rather close the doors of the church than receive empty, hypocritical worship.

We do not need innovations (practices not authorized by Scripture). Instead, we simply need to obey God’s commands. Our worship must be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40) with genuine zeal. We must live holy lives dedicated to serving God, rather than focusing on our own comfort.

Live and Worship Like the Early Church

Let us look at the example of the New Testament church:

• Acts 2:42-47: They were devoted to God’s word and to one another. They shared their possessions, worshipped daily, and lived with thankful hearts.
• Acts 4:32-34: They were united in heart and soul. They freely shared their goods and boldly preached the gospel even under persecution.
• Acts 5:42, Acts 6:7: They taught the gospel enthusiastically every single day.
• Acts 8:4: When persecution scattered the believers, they went everywhere preaching the word.
• Acts 11:19-25: Their passion for the gospel led to incredible growth.
• Acts 13:2-3: They actively sent out missionaries to spread the word.
• Acts 17:6: Their teaching was so powerful that critics said they “turned the world upside down.”
• They eagerly helped needy Christians in distant areas:
  • Acts 11:27-30: They sent relief during a Judean famine.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-5: They gave of themselves first, and then gave generously of their wealth.

Early Christians rejected worldly immorality, repented of their sins, and strove to live pure lives (Titus 2:11-14). They encouraged one another, stayed united, and willingly sacrificed to relieve the suffering of their brethren. They did all of this without formal, man-made organizations. Their love for God and each other was simply expressed in their daily lives.

Historical writings confirm these biblical accounts. Around the year 125 AD, a writer named Aristides addressed a defense of the faith, or apology (a formal defense of Christian beliefs), to the Roman Emperor Hadrian. He described the early Christians this way:

“They do not commit adultery nor fornication, nor bear false witness, nor embezzle what is held in pledge, nor covet what is not theirs. They honour father and mother, and show kindness to those near to them… and whatsoever they would not that others should do unto them, they do not to others… and of the food which is consecrated to idols they do not eat, for they are pure. And their oppressors they appease (comfort) and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies…

Falsehood is not found among them; and they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly. And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting.

And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God… And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food…”

I have experienced both boredom and stagnation in my Christian walk, and I do not want to return to either state. If we worship and live with active faith, we will never become bored or stagnant. We will not be easily swayed by worldly innovations or quick-fix cures.