*Every now and then, we need to remember what not to do. This is the first of a two-part post on 10 tips to being miserable at your church.*

1. Lie to yourself about your membership motives.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a powerful physician-turned-pastor who lived in the 20th century. At his first sermon at his first church he spoke these words:

“Our chapels and churches are crowded with people, nearly all of whom take the Lord’s Supper without a moments’s hesitation, and yet, without judging harshly or unjustly, do you imagine for a moment that all those people believe that Christ died for them? Well, then, you ask, why are they church members, why do they pretend to believe? The answer is that they are afraid to be honest with themselves, afraid of what their parents and friends would say of them if they got up and said that they couldn’t honestly say that Christ meant anything to them.” (The Life of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 1899-19981, 89)

Does Christ truly mean anything to you? Are you a member because you cannot be honest about your faith? This first way to become miserable at your church is to lie to yourself about your membership motives.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” -Hebrews 10:23

2. Refuse to volunteer.

One of the well-known psychological advantages of volunteering is “pride of product.” Understandably, calling anything church-related a “product” is problematic, but the concept is helpful. People who volunteer in the church take ownership of the church. Volunteers are committed, they care for the local body, and they desire to see others do the same. The church is a body of believers, and everyone is called by Christ to hold an active role in that body. The church is a body of believers, and everyone is called by Christ to hold an active role in that body. Thus, if you want to be miserable, attend church as a consumer, and not as a community member.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” -Hebrews 10:24

3. Make church a chore.

If church attendance is seen as a chore and not a privilege then it will quickly be treated as such. Just like making the bed, taking out trash, or mowing the lawn, you will put it off until it can no longer be ignored, or, you will attend with an attitude of restlessness: “This sermon is way too long!” If you want to be miserable at your church, be sure to relegate the blessings of the gathering of the saints as nothing more than one more item on the chore list.

(Continued from the verse above) “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:25

4. Undervalue worshipping as a family.

Every family, no matter how small, should be seen as a “little church.” It should pray together, read the Bible together, and attend worship together. There is a great danger in dividing this family unit for corporate worship. How can you train up a child in the way that he should go, when you are letting your children (those still in your household) either sleep in or consistently attend other churches with their friends? If you want to be miserable in your church, be sure that your family does not worship, pray, or read the Bible together.

“Train up a child in the way that he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” -Proverbs 22:6

5. Stay busy.

We live in a busy world–we very well may be the busiest generation in history. The ease of access to entertainment, side hustles, and youth sports are unparalleled in our past. What ends up happening is that Sundays–when we aren’t making that extra cash or winning that Select Tournament–end up becoming a much needed day to “catch up.” So we run errands, sleep in, knock out our chores, catch up on homework, etc…at the expense of the sabbath rest. If you want to be miserable at your church, be sure to view Sunday as your “catch up” day from the rest of the week.

“Observe the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.” -Deuteronomy 5:12

*This list will be continued in a later post!*