Have you ever found yourself sitting in church and wondering why you are even there?
Have you ever woke up on church morning and thought, “I do not want to be at church today?”
Unfortunately, this can happen even to the best of Christians. There can be a lot of different reasons for this kind of church apathy.
In my own life, though, I have noticed that these types of feelings are often accompanied with a lack of participation at church. For many Christians the two go hand in hand.
What is Church Apathy?
Church apathy is a lack of desire to be at church, or be involved in church. It does not necessarily mean you are turning your back on God, but rather you just aren’t “feeling it,” when it comes to church stuff.
Most churches try to keep a very active calendar. Sometimes this can feel like both a blessing and a curse. But, generally, when you are in a good, healthy place in your Christian life, you will feel excitement and joy concerning these events.
So, what causes church apathy? This article will deal with one of the most common causes of church apathy, which is lack of participation, but let’s quickly look at a few other reasons why you may not be “feeling it” on Sundays lately.
Burn out can also be a cause of church apathy and it is the exact opposite of lack of participation. Burn out is caused by way too much participation in the wrong proportion. More about that later.
Hurt feelings is often a reason we don’t get excited about church, which can then lead to a lack of participation and church apathy.
Bad health is also often a problem that can discourage us from going or desiring to go to church.
What the Bible Says About Church Attendance
There can be a lot of reasons for why you are struggling with church right now. But why is church attendance and participation so important anyway? What does the word of God have to say about this important aspect of our Christian lives?
There are varying opinions concerning church attendance. It is not this writer’s intention to debate the issue, but rather to help those who do feel that church attendance is an important part of their lives to get more out of their church attendance.
So, as with any topic, we must begin with God’s word.
Hebrews 10:25 says “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
This verse is often used concerning church attendance. It is important to note that the Apostle Paul was not using this verse just as a way to coerce people into doing something. If you read this verse in context of the chapter, Paul was giving the readers important advice on how they can keep their Christian lives healthy. Verses 22-24 of the same chapter gives us the other bits of wisdom.
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Taken together you can see that Paul is given his readers a recipe of how to keep a good, healthy Christian life. All of these verses work together.
In V 22 we see the internal relationship of our hearts connected to God.
In V 23 we see the external relationship of our hearts connected to the world (our profession of faith is how the world sees Jesus in us)
In V 24 and 25 we see the community relationship of our hearts connected to other Christians, particularly in our church.
It helps if you think of this as scaffolding of your Christian life. Our walk with God begins in our hearts, it is seen by the world, and it is strengthened though our Christian community.
A lot of the debate that arises over church attendance has to do with the idea that, “You don’t need to go to church in order to be a Christian.” This statement is true. In the New Testament, any time the plan of salvation is shared it is never once mentioned that you must attend church in order to be saved or get to heaven.
Attending church is not about your salvation, but rather it is about your encouragement and your strengthening.
The problem with church attendance arises when we begin to think of church in terms of obligation. When church becomes a chore, then our human side begins to revolt. We don’t like chores. We especially don’t like chores which we feel are being imposed on us by others. This is a problem with perspective.
Attending church is not a chore, but rather it is a privilege. There are many places around the world where open church attendance is a crime. Christians must meet in secret in order to fellowship, pray, preach and study the Bible together. Do some research to learn about these areas. It may give you a different perspective on church attendance.
Beyond Church Services
Most churches take their assembling beyond regular church services to also include social events for the members. Although this is intended to be a way to encourage and strengthen the members through opportunities for fellowship, some people lose their perspective on these types of events as well.
Church services are intended to strengthen your walk with God through prayer, Bible study, and worship. Other church activities are intended to strengthen your relationship with your Christian community. These other activities often include church dinners, parties, small group meetings, prayer groups, or other things.
Do you find yourself stressing out over these activities? They are not intended to stress you out, but rather to help you. So, perhaps the problem lies in the heart.
What You Gain From Church Attendance
If you are in the throes of church apathy currently, you may have lost your perspective on how much church attendance truly helps your Christian life. It is good to reflect on these truths every once in a while, especially if we are finding ourselves struggling.
Spiritual Education – One of the most important aspects of your church attendance is the fact that when you attend church services, go to Bible classes and listen to sermons you are receiving a spiritual education. Your ministers and teachers at church are there to help educate you on the things of the Bible and how to apply those principles to your life.
When you miss out on these services or classes you are missing out on an opportunity to learn more about your Lord and Savior.
Time to Worship – Another important part of your church attendance is having an opportunity to worship the Lord. Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” When Christians are gathered together in the right attitude and spirit, the presence of the Lord is there. This is a prime chance to worship the Lord. Worshiping together with other Christians is very different from worshipping alone. However, I cannot exactly explain in words how this is different, if you have ever experienced it then you know.
When we worship our souls are renewed. Our connection to God is strengthened. When we worship as a group our connection to one another is strengthened as well.
Godly Fellowship – In addition to these two important things, there is also the aspect of Godly fellowship. Christians need to fellowship with other Christians. When we miss out on this important part of our Christian life it can begin to affect our attitude and our spirit. Isolation can even begin to lead to depression in some people. It can be an ugly cycle. You don’t feel like being around people, but being alone makes you sad. Do you see how that can turn into an unhealthy cycle?
First Things First
If you have found yourself feeling apathetic about church, then the first thing you should attempt is to get your regular church attendance on a good schedule. It helps if you simply don’t give yourself an option. Don’t think in terms of, “Do I want to go to church today?” But rather think in terms of, “I’m going to church today.” Don’t give yourself options. You know you should go, so just go.
What Next?
After you have gotten yourself to church regularly, now is the time to start getting involved. Your perspective on church will truly change once you start getting involved. There are always ways you can get involved. All you need to do is listen and pay attention.
Pretty soon you will discover that people are asking for volunteers for stuff all the time, but you have been tuning this out because you did not want to be involved. Selective hearing is a truly amazing thing.
You are no longer having selective hearing, though. Now you are really listening because you really want to get involved. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about ways you can get involved.
Nursery – Does your church have a nursery? If so they are always needing volunteers for this job. I admit it is not a popular job, which makes it even more important for people to step up and serve in this way. Young parents desperately need to be able to listen to the services without being interrupted by their youngest children. This is a great way to make an immediate impact in your church.
Out Reach Ministries – Does your church run any outreach ministries? Nursing home ministries, jail ministries, food banks, clothing supply, homeless outreach? Give some thought to ways that your church is taking the love of Christ out into the world to those who need it the most. How can you get involved in these programs? Outreach ministries are very powerful, because they give us the opportunity to get beyond our little comfort zone and really see how others are struggling.
Bus Ministries – Does your church run a bus ministry? These are very important resources to the community and ultimately builds the congregation of the church. Bus ministries often serve children who do not have a way to get to church. Some bus ministries also help adults as well. In many cases the individuals being served through the bus ministry are under privileged in some way. These individuals need the outreach ministry of the church, and the church needs volunteers to help keep the ministry running.
Music Ministry – Do you have musical talents which you are not using in the church? Is your church open to volunteers to assist with music during the worship services? Music is such a powerful tool to connect people together and also to draw us closer to God. After all God invented music. Do you sing? Do you play an instrument? Find out if there is a place for you in the church music ministry.
What Happens When You Get Involved?
The idea of getting involved in church may seem overwhelming to you right now, especially if you are already overwhelmed with just getting to church services each week. The great thing about getting involved at church, though, is that it somehow strengthens you, rather than weakens you.
Once you start expending energy into the work of God, then God begins pouring new energy down on you.
Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Many people think that this verse is just talking about money or material things. This verse is speaking to those things, but in addition to that, it is also speaking to spiritual things. Things we cannot see such as strength, energy, motivation, enthusiasm, excitement and hope will also be multiplied as we give of ourselves.
God’s economy works very differently from ours. God’s economy is supernatural. In our mind we think, “If I am already tired and stressed I cannot possibly give more of myself to anyone else.” But God’s economy says that when we give more, then we are replenished.
Let’s look at a parable from the book of Luke which deals with God’s economy.
Luke 12:16-21
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Again, this passage is discussing material wealth, but we can just as easily use this to discuss other resources such as time, energy and motivation. Storing up all of these things just for ourselves will result in a very poor life indeed. It is when we take these things out into the ministry of God that we can see them being multiplied.
You have already experienced this before in your natural life. You feel down. You feel unmotivated. You might even feel a little depressed, but then you had an opportunity to do something good for someone else. After doing this deed you are shocked to see how filled with energy you are. Where did that feeling come from? It is spiritual. It comes from God. This is God giving back what you gave but multiplied.
When we get involved in church we are giving of ourselves. We are giving time and energy. Luke 6:38 promises that if we give, then what we give will make its way back to us multiplied.
You will begin to notice your church apathy disappear. Attending services will no longer feel like a chore. You will begin to realize that instead of a burden, church attendance and involvement is actually a huge privilege.
Where Things Go Wrong
Now, even as I’m writing this I am thinking of instances in which I or someone else has been involved, greatly involved, giving, giving, giving and instead of being filled with supernatural joy, I or they felt overwhelmed and stressed out. Church apathy can often result from this type of overwhelm and burn out. So why does this happen if Luke 6:38 says we will be given back what we give out?
Problems do arise with church involvement. But you can rest assured that the problem does not lie with God not supplying your needs for joy, energy and motivation. Problems arise when our motives are off track, or when we do not seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit concerning which activities to get involved with.
The Holy Spirit is our guide in all things. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
When you are praying about how to get involved, you must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide you into exactly which ways to get involved. The leading of the Holy Spirit will help us avoid overloading ourselves with too much. You do not have to be involved in every single activity your church oversees. You only need to get involved in the ways God leads you to be involved.
Another reason that people get stressed is because others are not being led of the Holy Spirit. Where ever you have humans working together on anything you have the potential for problems. If others are not being led of the Holy Spirit, then it is your responsibility to take the situation to the Lord in prayer. It is not your duty to fix everyone or set them straight. This will lead to stress and overwhelm.
Listen to the Holy Spirit. Get involved in the activities he leads you to, and then leave the actions and behavior of others to the Lord.
Conclusion
Church involvement should go way beyond simply attending services. But if you find yourself even struggling with this, spend some time with God. Ask God why you feel this way. Ask the Lord to deliver you from these feelings, and to give you the strength, energy and motivation to get your church attendance back on track.
If you are attending regularly, but find yourself in the doldrums of church going, get involved. Your church needs you, and those outside of the church need you. You will be shocked at how your energy, motivation and enthusiasm is sparked once you get involved.
Remember, no church is without problems. If you do get involved, you will surely come up against some challenges, but that is okay. Take this to God in prayer. Leave it with the Lord. Let the Lord deal with people. You focus on being a blessing and staying involved, God will take care of the rest.