Have you ever gone through a season where you’ve felt “bored” with church? Maybe a rush of guilt just came over you for identifying with that statement. Is guilt keeping you in a routine of waking up and going to church weekly or bi-weekly? You may be wondering where the “abundant” life you hear preached about is at and wonder if it’s time to leave the church.

Hit the brakes! Let’s talk!!

I am a die-hard baseball fan. I love listening to baseball. I love watching baseball. I enjoy talking about baseball. More than just watching baseball, I would prefer to be on the field, in the game. Not that I’d be any good but it’s more enjoyable to play than to just watch the game.

Church life is like a lot like that. We love God, love reading the Bible and hearing God’s word taught to us. We love the church and the people in the church. But in time that alone may become insufficient. There is a time to sit, but that is the exception, not the rule. We are not designed to sit and spectate but to participate.

“As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:20

The church is made up of many parts. Like a body, we are not all hands, arms, legs or eyes but many parts, seen and unseen, which make the body complete. Church attendance is not about observing but serving. As a Christian, you are not designed to simply watch. Boredom with church isn’t (always) the result of the Pastor losing his edge or the church no longer relevant to my life but a lack of involvement.

In Acts 6, the Apostles are overwhelmed by carrying the full-load of ministry. Their devotion to prayer and God’s word had become divided and so they decided it was time to recruit able-body people to get off the sidelines and to get into the game.

The job description was this;

“Wanted:

Individuals to wait tables and pick up after others.”

Now before you think the disciples are attempting to avoid work and push off “menial task” to others, consider the qualifications. #1 “Men of good repute.” #2 “Full of the Holy Spirit.” #3 “Full of wisdom.” Does that sound like the qualifications of an insignificant role?

Jesus made a powerful statement regarding serving when He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” Mark 10:45. Serving isn’t an option in the life of a Christian, it is the life of a Christian. You have a part to play in the church and when you find that part, it will energize your faith, and add joy and blessing to your life.

We reap what we sow.

If we sow “sitting” we will reap boredom. If we sow “service” we reap blessing! Serving is a necessary part of our spiritual transformation. Serving, with the right heart, causes us to become more like Jesus, who was the ultimate servant.

“See a hole and fill it. Find a need and meet it.”

How is your “serve”? Are you bored at church and contemplating a move? Before you do that, consider getting involved and serving in your church.  It’s time to get off the sidelines and into the game!