Alter Calls

[artsylady]

I've noticed for a long time, many pastors have the habit of doing an altar call a certain way. Much like this. He tells everyone to close their eyes, bow their heads, no peeking. Then he asks whomever wants to accept Christ to raise their hands. As they raise hands, he acknowledges them. Like - "In the back right, thank you". Then, after everyone has their eyes opened again, he asks those who've raised their hands to get up and walk to the front in front of everyone.

It just seems kind of weird to me - almost on the edge of deceit. First the guy or gal thinks they are doing something confidentially, then whamo - they're asked to do the extreme opposite and go very public. It's almost as if then, the unbeliever feels pressured to get up and go to the front, knowing the pastor already knows who they are. I wouldn't blame an unbeleiver who raised his hand and then doesn't go up in front of a huge congregation -especially on a first or second visit. He may even be thinking, 'Then, what's he going to ask me to do? Pray out loud in front of all these people?"

I noticed that my pastor simply asks them to walk to the front and doesn't bother with the 'everyone close your eyes' bit and thought this was much better. But personally, I'm not even sure why an unbeliever has to go to the front of the church anyway, unless there's something Biblical to support it.

I think maybe the Biblical support may be that we should be public about our Christianity. Fine, but right off the get-go in a huge church? Doesn't that take time for some people?

What does everyone else think?

[godrulz]

The altAr (church; altEr means to change) call probably started with the revivals of the last century. We have made this a formula or technique. It is embarrasing for an unchurched person to be tricked into going forward. I think there is more integrity for the person to be aware of what is going to be expected. The altar is a point of contact with God and His servants. It is not magical (any more than parroting a 'sinner's prayer' without repentance and faith).

I like Steve Camps (musician) altar call. Since we should confess Christ before me, he tells people to keep their eyes open and everyone look around. This is kind of radical, but reflects the cost involved in confessing Christ before the world.

Regardless, salvation is between an individual and God. God sees the heart and a person does not have to go forward to be saved. It is a practical step for follow up. Hopefully people feel drawn by God and it is a step of obedience to publicly confess Christ regardless of what others think (cf. baptism).

An altar that does not alter people is a gimmick. The Spirit at the altar is the source of transformation.

[Guest Calamity]

I'm not sure how alter calls started, either, or when. Maybe it had something to do with "public profession of faith"? I don't know.

Have any of you ever been to a Billy Graham revival and seen the alter call there? It was amazing. He came to Texas Stadium a little over a year ago in October, and I was able to go. Pres. Bush (not pres. then, I don't think) was there. Bro. Graham preached on John 3:16. I have no idea how many were actually saved, or redicated their lives, but before it was over it was solid people.

Also another interesting thing I read or heard somewhere is how the custom started that the preacher goes to the back by the doors, after the service and is there to shake hands with the members as they leave... seems it had something to do with back in the 1800's when they had to hang up their guns out there before going into church. The preacher would go out first, either to "watch", or to hand the men their guns back.

Here's a photo from the B.G. Revival. I could not fit the entire place in one pic, but you can get the idea:

[Guest shiloh357]

he tells people to keep their eyes open and everyone look around. This is kind of radical, but reflects the cost involved in confessing Christ before the world.

That is good point. I guess I had not looked at it that way. If someone cannot confess Christ in front of a church where everyone is glad that he/she got saved, how will they do it before a crowd of unbelievers?

[artsylady]

I really like Billy Graham and think his altar calls are perfectly fine. It is inspiring to watch. And those going up know exactly what to expect. My pastor does the same thing and actually, whenever he gives an altar call he also calls people up for prayer. So invariably, people go up and the unsaved are not singled out. I know that when we see an unsaved person go up we rejoice, but I don't know if the unsaved person knows that. How could they if they're not saved?

And I see the point of professing your faith publicly, but that can happen when the person is ready. If they're ready they can do it during an altar call, wonderful, if not, during baptism - whenever they are ready -it's the pressure I'm not comfortable with.

[Guest Calamity]

I don't like the "pressure" tactic either. I had a picture from the B.G. revival that showed several people around a young boy, praying with him, on the outside edge of the masses of people going up front. It was my favorite, but couldn't find it to post here.

[SavedSinner]

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[Fidei Defensor]

I believe altar calls can be genuine. However, this method seems unusual, especially the part about bringing all of the new coverts to the front. On one hand this could embass a new convert, on the other it could be wise course of action to say “pray for these new believers,” and “get to know them.” 

[Guest shiloh357]

The altar call began with DL Moody.  It was on a Sunday evening after services had let out on the night of the great Chicago fire and he could see the fire raging from the steps of his church.    He thought about all of the people who died that night without having had a chance to accept the Gospel. He thought about people that had been at his services that day and were never asked if they wanted to accept Christ and might have died in that fire and went to Hell.   And after that night, he started offering people a chance, at the end of each service to receive Christ.  He didn't wasn't any to leave the service without being given a direct opportunity to receive Christ.   Learning about that, changed my perspective on the altar call.

[enoob57]

I believe in any form or fashion the ability to publicly profess your standing with God as His a plus.... we are to be lights anywhere we are!