The beginning of the modern invitation system's popularity is most commonly attrubited to 19th century evangelist Charles G. Finney. Over the past 200 years or so, the "mourners' bench" has become a staple in the conclusion of most Baptist church services. I, for one, have grown up in churches where it was believed that not giving an "invitation" at the end of a service was bordering on sinfulness. "How can someone "come to Christ" if we don't give an altar call?" it is asked.
But is this practice misleading? Are there dangers in the altar call system? What do you think?
Since the alter itself seems to occupy an imaginatary place at the front of the church, I'm not sure why the walk down the aisle can't also be figurative. Though I'm one that wouldn't mind seeing the church abandon this often manipulative practice, the only danger I see is in the call itself. As if the Spirit isn't enough to move people, many preachers and evangelists become cunning motivators. I for one have become an invitation rebel. Not going to raise my hand. No matter the question.
ReplyDeleteI agree it is misleading. I once heard a baptist preacher say that when the first step a person takes out of his pew to come forward he becomes saved. With this there is no understanding, there is no call to Jesus, there is no confessing with the mouth that he is Lord. Where is the commitment? When did walking down the aisle become a life long commitment to follow Christ? I don't think altar calls are necessary but it does need to be made clear that there are people readily available to speak to someone about salvation. There also can be false guilt placed on people in the name of greater numbers. This false guilt can be dangerous. This manipulation of emotions and human speech can cause those who aren't genuinely ready for repentance and reconciliation to enter into a false religious relationship with a god they don't know.
ReplyDeleteDid I ever tell you about the time I was at church and they had this extended altar call and I was the ONLY person who didn't go forward???? Talk about peer pressure!!!!!
ReplyDelete~Cherie
i'm pretty sure when an evangelist came to our church recently, the vonehrenkrook section was the only ones still in the pews;)
ReplyDeleteAltar walks, in Bible College, seemed to often be a look at me time. I think its good for the preacher to give a specific time in the service for listeners to do business with God as needed before the hustle of the day takes over. Could this be more effective just seated in a pew? Could it be that there is more of a distraction by "going to an altar"? I am a little behind the curve commenting on a Feb. post in June, but interested in any ideas on improving this important church doctrine
ReplyDelete-hdiddy
Dude, its great to have your comments, keep 'em coming. Ya, I agree with your take on what they were like in college. I think a time of prayer at the end, a time of silence to meditate on what the Spirit is doing in your heart at your seat, or just closing the service in a quiet way, so those who would like to pray can, any of those would be good. I am especially concerned though, with the call to come to the altar to get saved. I think that does a lot of harm. People confuse the act of walking to a spot in the building with the heart embrace of Christ. They put their faith in "ya, I walked the ailse brother", instead of on Christ. That's just one of my concerns and problems with it, I have many others.
ReplyDeleteFitzsy