What Makes ‘Church’ Exciting?

by M. O. Owens, Jr.                                                                                     Vol. XIX, No. 6, August 2006

Our current culture is marked predominantly by a syndrome of 'entertainment.' But the concept of 'entertainment' today is far different from that of a few decades back. Then it was thought of most often in terms of music, drama, literature, genuine comedy, and intelligent discussion. But today 'entertainment' is dominated by violence, vulgarity, and noise. The major sports – football, basketball, hockey, soccer – all have become more and more violent, and the attending public calls it exciting. The most popular music now is the loudest, with little emphasis on melody or harmony.

In this atmosphere, the usual form of church worship is deemed "boring." There is nothing 'exciting' about it. Nothing seems to "happen. "

So, to make the church inviting, the usual approach is to reshape the service so that it is more 'exciting.' How is this done? The music has to be contemporary, with emphasis on activity and loudness. The lyrics must be repetitive, but need say nothing that requires mental attention. Anything other than the music must be non-confrontational. As one church put it "It's a sin to bore people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Nearly seventeen hundred years ago, Gregory Nazianzus warned that if the preacher "would please the multitude, he must adapt himself to their tastes, and entertain them amusingly. The result, even back then, was that "what belonged to the theater" would be "brought into the church."

If the church is to provide the "excitement" which the current populace demands, then it must be "violent" in the sense of much activity, "vociferous" in its sound, and "venial" in its proclamations. There must be no condemnation, or accusation, and not even any indication that any real change needs to be made other than a gradual improvement. Jesus Christ is not to be presented as Savior, but as an example and a helper to improvement. The "excitement" comes only in the atmosphere and activity. It is an "excitement" which must be repeated with added emphasis each time of gathering. And like the excitement of a football game, there is a limit to its extent – only so much mayhem is permitted.

One would think that Christians long ago learned that the "excitement" which maintains its sensory effectiveness is not developed by loud music, or loud vibrant preaching, or shouting, or dancing, any other physical activity. The real "excitement" to be found in a church is the mental and spiritual realization that "God so loved (us) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Is there any message more "exciting" than that? Is there any experience more "exciting" than an awareness of the presence and power of our Holy God? Yet that experience comes predominantly in a stillness before God, not in activity.

The excitement which is produced by forms of "worship," or in activities pleasing and satisfying to "seekers" is of the same quality as that at a ball game. When the activity ceases, and time runs out, and the crowd oozes out the doorways, and individuals arrive at home, there may be momentary remembrance of a few exciting instances, but that memory fades, and the only restorer is a new game.

The excitement which a person experiences in the awareness of being saved, having sins forgiven, and fellowship with God and His people, does not fade. It does not need another "game" to keep it real. The closer to God one comes, the greater is the joy one has. This kind of excitement is not sensory; it is inwardly fulsome and experiential, stirring the mind, the heart, and all of life, and giving the fullest kind of satisfaction. It produces an inward glow which lights up every area of one's life.

[Reprinted from the April 2005 issue of The Watchman. You may subscribe and contribute by writing Owens Ministries, Inc.; P.O. Box 2066; Gastonia, NC 28054.]