A Passionate Church

A deep sense of awe came over them all. (Acts 2:43 )

Friedrich Nietzsche, the German existentialist philosopher, once wrote of a madman who charged into the marketplace of a medieval town. The man leaped onto the steps of the cathedral and cried out to the crowd, “I want a requiem mass! I want a requiem mass!”

“Who has died?” the people asked him.

“God is dead!” the madman answered. The crowds immediately began to mock and condemn the man for his statement of blasphemy, and when they finished, the man retorted, “If God is not dead, then why have the churches become mortuaries?”

It’s a good question for all of us, isn’t it? God is certainly alive and well, but you would have a hard time telling it by some of the church services I’ve seen. I have visited some churches and attended their services and throughout the entire service attendees sat motionless, seldom smiling, never once appearing to enjoy themselves. The songs were stale, the prayers dull and lifeless, and the sermon unemotional. It felt more like attending the funeral of an unbeliever than worshiping a risen Savior.

The church I attend (Calvary Chapel Kendall) is an exciting place to be. Our worship is lively and meaningful, the pastor is alive and engaging, and people exude a love for God and each other. My kids can’t wait to get to church on Sunday mornings. For our family, worship is the most enjoyable part of our week. And that’s how church is supposed to be!

Listen to how Luke describes the church of the first century: “All the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had …. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved” (Acts 2:44-47 ).

Life is too short and faith is too precious to be spent in a dead, lukewarm church. If you’ve found yourself in such a place, my advice would be to run and not look back. Find a life-giving church made up of a passionate group of believers. Find the kind of church that Jesus would attend.

Have you lost the passion you once had for Jesus? What are some concrete things you can do to recapture your excitement for Christ?