What’s Wrong With This Picture? Part 2

I received this postcard in the mail last week, from another local church. I basically agree with the headline. Although I can think of worse things, boring church services are hard to endure. But is this a picture of a boring church service?

We’re expected to come to that conclusion for sure. The hardwood pews. The bare floor. The dark walls. The outdated clothing and hairstyles. Let’s see, what else? Oh, look! Even Jesus cannot stay awake. And look what he’s reading!

That’s right, the Village Voice! Say, he must have found that gay pride magazine a lot more interesting than what the man at the podium was talking about.

But what is really happening? I don’t think this is a staged photo (I think Jesus was photoshopped into it), so consider the context. Do the people look bored? No, they are participating. If those are hymnbooks, they seem to be following the song leader’s direction. If those are Bibles, they are attentively referencing the passage being preached. Good for them! Hopefully they will make good application and live a purpose driven life the rest of the week!

No, this is not a boring church service, but unfortunately many church plants try to convince you that their church is somehow better than the one you attend or remember attending. How is it better? Two words: praise band. Praise bands are nice, but must they be the lure? What happens when the music stops? Your postcard has already conditioned me to think that sitting there listening to you preach is boring.

I wish all Bible believing church plants success, even the one who sent me the postcard. I say that because their website promises to preach Christ. I hope that’s true. We need them. The people need them. But churches are not to compete for business as if we were Wal-mart and Kmart, and they shouldn’t steal sheep. I interviewed for a pastor’s position once and could tell immediately that the members viewed all the other local churches as competition. I told them that was ridiculous and went home. Our job is not to outdo one another in the coolness department. Nor are we to reject relevance outright. Our job is to reach and teach people for Jesus, or make disciples.

The question is not whether Jesus can stay awake in your church, but whether He would even come inside.

Preach the Word.

Strong love, strange peace.