To be frank I am amazed that the editor of NZ Baptist wasted column inches in publishing the article by David Whyte in the July issue as to ways to “de-bore” church – not only that, but it looks like this could be an on going series. By printing this article does it mean that New Zealand Baptist churches are all boring?

The only place I hear the word boring is from my 9-year-old son and we have banned this word from our home as it is so negative. To hear it associated with our church is very negative as well. The interesting thing when my son uses the word is that he has not taken the time or effort to engage his brain into the things around him that will make him excited, vibrant and contented. Saying he is bored is just plain laziness on his part.

To put it another way: Rugby bores me but that doesnt stop 30,000 fans packing a stadium to cheer on their team. I just haven’t taken the time to understand, follow and keep up with the sport.

So that’s the key – when you go to church you need your brain engaged as well as your heart. Go with the expectation and preparation that God will speak to you through all of it (I don’t think hearing God’s voice is boring!) and, like following a team, you need to keep up with it – be a keen, enthusiastic supporter, do the hard graft and enjoy, with God, the results.

So go ahead if you like and throw out the sermon and the songs that engage your brain and replace them with some of his kindergarten ideas. Oh, I’m looking forward to replacing God’s word and songs based on scripture with some of his childish, “creative” ideas. Perhaps we could dump church all together and just meet at the domain for a rugby match. Wouldn’t that be fun.

I am a similar age to David, I also enjoy creativity, but I also recognise that church is to be orderly, reverent and have respect for all attending. There is a time and place for creatitivity just as there is a time and place for me to hear God’s word from my pastor.

So if David would like to, he is welcome to come and visit our church and not be bored – pretty good, really, as it’s situated in what has been voted New Zealand’s most boring town, Levin.

– Alan Baldwin
Levin