Church Practices

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Leonard T on February 24, 2014 at 7:36am

As this discussion appears to be focusing in on the altar call I would like to make a couple of comments.

1) The altar call as we know it is a relatively new invention. It basically started with Charles Finney when he established a set of seats near the front of the sanctuary for the sinner to come and inquire of the Lord. I forget the exact name he used, but it has overtime taken to what we now see in many services where an appeal is made following (I trust) a clear gospel presentation.

2) I am not a fan of the altar call, though I do not stand against it, I do not use it for salvation in any service I preside over. There is no doubt that there are many who have come forward and have confirmed their faith in Christ and yet at the same time there are multitudes who have been appealed to in such a way that they emotionally respond to the call and come forward, yet there is no real conviction or repentance in their heart. The church then proclaims them saved and they go away with false assurance. I truly believe one of the greatest, and hardest to reach, mission fields (especially in the U.S.) is the unsaved churched. This same approach is used in VBS and other gatherings where people are emotionally responding to the speaker and never truly meet Christ (though some do), yet the person and the church proclaim them saved .... This is not the abnormality, but IMO is the case for the majority. That is why if some one tells you that they received Jesus at such-and-such time it caries little weight. What evidence is there in their life of life transformation and evidence that they are growing into Christ-likeness? Some would say that I am judging ... I would rather challenge a person on their salvation than to pat them on their back as they make their way to hell. I have found most often that it is the religious who don't like their salvation  to be questioned and the saved tend to appreciate that someone cares enough to ask the tough questions.

3) There is a prominent evangelist, who I have had the privilege to work at one of his crusades, that openly admits that only about 10% who come forward are truly saved. What about the 90%? A portion will go away knowing that nothing really happened and yet another portion will believe they are saved because they went forward at such-and-such evangelistic meetings. Thus, is the reaching of the 10% in this manner worth giving false assurance to 20 - 30 - 40 - 50% of the rest? I don't know the answer tot hat question as I see pros and cons on both sides.

Food for thought,

LT

Permalink Reply by Tammy on February 24, 2014 at 7:55am

I totally agree with everything you've said here but that goes with anyone who claims to be saved regardless of where they made their conversion or they had only an emotional experience. It's always the life they live that serves as proof of the truth. I've been to many concerts where half of the kids go forward & it's always in my thoughts wondering how many are truly seeking Christ or just have that emotional feeling because music can definitely move you in that way. I feel there are many that need that help in knowing what to say & I feel the altar gives them this opportunity. Do we need someone to pray with us? No, but if you've never darkened the doors of a church, it sure does help if you want to know Christ. I feel many people can sit back & nit pick at every single aspect of what the church does. Man has gotten in the way of Christ in most of them but I think to throw out the good water with the dirty dish water is throwing out some hungry souls. What Satan means for evil, God definitely can always turn it to good. The Lord created the altar for the sacrifice. What better place to sacrifice one's self then at the altar of God? 

Permalink Reply by Leonard T on February 24, 2014 at 9:00am

If done properly with the gospel being presented, without an overt appeal to the emotions and with solid follow-up to what they say they have professed ... then it can be a good thing.

Done in the manner that most churches (or worse, at special events like a concert) employ it today, IMO, it is a disaster at best and dangerous at worst.

Is it a necessary tool? Knowing that the multitudes who were saved before 1850 received Christ without an altar call of such is assurance that it is not necessary, and yet it can cause damage. Does the good outweigh the potential for giving people false hope and assurance. As stated before, I do not know the answer to that question. But, I will ere on the side of caution.

Permalink Reply by Tammy on February 24, 2014 at 9:54am

I know it's not necessary but done through the Spirit can be a great aide for some. Anything Godly thing can be made evil. I totally understand your cautions. That is where the church needs to follow up. They drop the ball on this one. They say you're saved & let them figure out the next steps. A church who is more concerned for the soul & not the numbers will do a continuous follow-up. At my home church in NC, my husband & I wrote a Bible study called Foundations which takes them from step 1 to the next one. He use to teach it up to the day we moved to Texas. These were just simple steps to continue your journey. 

Permalink Reply by Leonard T on February 24, 2014 at 9:56am

Agreed.

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on February 24, 2014 at 7:20pm

@LT

"Some would say that I am judging ... I would rather challenge a person on their salvation than to pat them on their back as they make their way to hell."

I think its called loving and affectionate to have that kind of care for another soul. 

Permalink Reply by Leonard T on February 24, 2014 at 8:14pm

:-)

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