Is church boring? Ideas on building a vibrant faith

The worship leader said, “Some of you are here with brokenness today, seeking God. Others are here excited to be in God’s presence! Ready to hear from Him, worship Him!”

I was just there. Because it was Sunday, because my family was going. Because it was the thing to do.

My body was physically present; my mind was a million other places.

The worship music was incredible, but I was making mental lists despite their offerings. The fellowship was beautiful; I managed to pay attention for that. The message was powerful and important.

And me? I was just playing the part. Please, tell me I am not the only one here.

I confess… sometimes? Church is boring. But God? God is never anything but amazing.

It’s me.

Are you losing interest in church?

There is more to church than what it offers “us”.

I value community and believe in coming together to worship. I do. I recognize the privilege of having a band and comfy seats and fancy lighting and heat and free coffee.

But that isn’t always where I find God.

Honestly? I just want to be alone with Him.

I want to want to come and be alive with anticipation to be in God’s presence. And many times that happens.

Too often though, I just come. Empty. And I leave only slightly less empty.

This is not the fault of the church

I take responsibility. My mental checklist is very hard to leave outside the sanctuary.

I am distracted by the bright lights and energy. I am distracted by thoughts of what I got done this week, what I’ll write about, what I have yet to do.

And then? I am distracted by my guilt. And I wonder, what is wrong with me? It isn’t about my faith, my beliefs do not falter.

I love God, and I long for His presence. I just find Him easier in the silence.

On the edge of wind-worn path along the sea. Walking and hearing the birds and feeling the sun on my face. Seeing the tears of a suffering friend or feeling the arms of embrace as we celebrate life together.

(have you ever tried Bible Journaling? It makes for a wonderful study tool for the distracted minded. Here is a beginner’s post to try out)

How to build a vibrant faith when church is boring

Go anyway. Come earlier and sit in the darkest corner where your friend won’t find you and pray. Include margin for the way you relate to God before the service starts. It’ll come
Extend grace to yourself and remember that He meets us where we are. Lay it all out there to God. He knows our weaknesses…and yes, distraction is a weakness. He’ll help us
Choose a weightier book, listen to Moody radio, do things that fill the heart and mind with His ways and stories and challenges. There are countless communicators with the right style just for you to relate to
Consider that church isn’t just about “us”, we are there to be part of God’s family in a tangible way. We can look for ways to reach out to others
Start a prayer journal, it helps to restore our focus during the drier parts of a faith journey. I used this idea from Across My Kitchen Table
Remember that community impacts in ways that aren’t immediately visible. Don’t cheat yourself, or others 🙂 Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another

You know, a few years ago I found 2 books that impacted me. Confessions of a Prayer Slacker by Diane Moody and Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton.

I plan on rereading them. Because it matters. Because I am invested. Because He invested in me and I can never thank Him enough.

Do you ever feel this way? If so, tell us how you approach your own journey…