A 7-year-old was determined not to attend church, apparently, as he led Utah police on a car chase through Weber County. According to one report he reached speeds of up to 40 mph. This brings up a question: what do we teach kids about church such that they would go to this extreme to avoid it?
Many people are bored during church services, even contemporary ones. Some may even sleep during parts of the service. But why? Is it simply that they are forced to attend an early service without sleep? Is it because the service is outdated and boring? Perhaps it is a little of both, but the main problem is that people do not understand what is happening during the service.
How many people in the congregation have a deep understanding of the Lord's Supper and understand its significance? I'm sure there are more than a few who simply view it as a church snack. How many people understand even something as simple as the church architecture?
When one takes the time to understand what is going on the service, one will see the service come alive. Church is not about having a good time or being entertained (though nothing is wrong with either), it is about fellowship and edification, worshipping God as He commands us, and proclaiming the Word of God.
It does not matter if your church has a contemporary or traditional service, if your congregation doesn't understand the biblical significance of what is going on, they will be bored...or worse, they will simply be entertained. Why is that worse? Because they will leave your fellowship having taken nothing from it except an emotional high. The message will have been lost in the memory of the show and what it felt like to be entertained.
The 7-year-old in the story was most likely avoiding church because he was bored and didn't understand the significance of the service. But is it any better when people come because they want to be entertained?
The body of Christ needs to focus on teaching and proclaiming God's word, and as the congregation understands what is going on, the participation in the worship of God will become more meaningful and biblical. As the congregation learns about the significance of the service, it can come alive to them without the need for fog and special effects. They can then feast on the infinite beauty of biblical worship and the proclamation of God's Word, rather than on a show.
Comments
I'm actually impressed that a 7 year old can drive! :)
Haha, indeed. Probably drives better than half the people I see driving in Charlotte.
I would steal a car to. Especially to avoid being sucked into a cult. Atta boy!!!
J, thanks for the comment (though I disagree with you that Christianity is a cult).
Richard, thank you for this article, it is definitely an eye-opener! It is so important that people look at the reason why tradition is set, even if it is boring. And when people learn that their focus should be on their relationship with God and what He wants them to do, the less boring our services will be. Thanks again!
Ashley, glad you enjoyed the article, and thank you for the uplifting comment!
cult = lds
Maybe someone was bullying the poor kid or touching him inappropriately. Hello?? Child psychology anyone? Either that or he's just a trouble-making, white trash hillbilly ;)
When I was a child I would do anything I could to avoid church service because I adamantly believed religion was nonsense. I was forced to go to church until I was 17 when my parents finally stopped forcing me in an effort to keep our family bonds.
Ever consider the possibility that he was tired of being forced to worship a god he no longer believed in?
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