Church is where you find encouragement and community; where you are blessed to be a blessing. And God never intended it to be boring. God's plan for church is a vibrant and exciting gathering.

Church solidifies your identity and provides pathways toward your calling. It fosters accepting, forgiving relationships with people of all ages.

And it's fun; in fact, I believe the church should be the most enjoyable place on the planet, especially on a Sunday morning. 

Yet I know that church is not fun for many, who tend to view it as a ritual endured for a few hours.

So if church is not fun for you right now (and there are a myriad or reasons why that may be), I've got suggestions to help make it fun again.

1. Be the Fun 
“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:15, NLT).

Life is too short for it not to be enjoyable. God created this beautiful world for us to revel in.

Be the fun. Go to church determined to have a good time. Have fun in worship and during the sermon. Laugh at the preacher's attempt at humour. I'm not saying to make fun of others or be irreverent, but why don't you bring the fun and see if you don't start enjoying church?

2. Volunteer 
The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ (Matthew 25:21, NLT).

Some of the best times I've had in church have been laughing and joking with volunteer teams. Not only that, but when we do something good and are faithful to our commitment, Jesus celebrates us. He loves to see the church using talents and abilities to serve His kingdom.

So why not sign up and become a volunteer? Look for the teams that have fun volunteering and join in.

3. Join a Connect Group 
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).

Church is about knowing and being known by others. In a large congregation, however, it's a little hard for everyone to know your name; hence connect groups. These groups are how you get to know others on a deeper level than simply raising eyebrows to acknowledge someone as you pass or high-fiving when the preacher instructs interaction.

When you know people and they know you, church becomes more fun as well as a place you want to go.

4. Talk to People 
“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:6, NLT).

You may complain that church is no fun, but did you interact with anyone? Did you have a conversation? Did you talk to people?

In the beginning, God recognised it was not good for man to be alone. You may attend church with thousands of people in a service, but if you don't talk to anyone, it can feel incredibly lonely.

So be brave, break the ice and talk to someone. Who knows - they might have been meaning to talk to you too!

5. Look for People Who Need Help 
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24, NLT).

Philanthropic endorphins are chemicals released in the brain that induce feelings of happiness and satisfaction, and maybe even a little fun, when you help another human being.

Perhaps talking to someone will help them get through their week. You could give an elderly person a ride, help a single mother with her unruly brood, or buy a coffee for someone who probably can't afford it. There are people who sit next to you every week who need help you can provide. It always feels fun to do something positive for others.

6. Ask Forgiveness and Move On 
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9, NLT).

Let's not beat around the bush - church may not be fun for you because it reminds you of your sinfulness.

Firstly, no one is perfect; not the person next to you, not the worship leader, and not the guy with the microphone.

Don't allow your sinful nature to keep you from God. When you gave your life to Christ, God forgave your sins - past and future. Romans 8:1 declares that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

You are forgiven and set free. You can come into His gates with joy and praise, not guilt and shame.

7. Seek God 
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT).

Church is not fun when you have a hard heart. You will be critical, pessimistic and miserable.

If church is not fun for you, perhaps it's time to reinvigorate your relationship with God. Go deeper in your prayer time. Study the Word in a new way, such as verse mapping or a book club. Pray for God to change your hard heart into a heart of flesh - a heart of love, faith and hope in your relationship with God and attitude toward church.

8. Opt for Joy - Not Happy 
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NLT).

We live in a world that qualifies decisions based on happiness with phrases such as, "Well as long as it makes you happy." Making you happy is not a good indicator of whether you should act out a specific behaviour.

Happiness is a fleeting feeling; joy is a choice.

When it comes to church, choose joy. Don't look for what makes you happy, but decide you will be joyful in all situations.

[written by Sarah Coleman]