Altar Call

[nsync]

Does your church/denom/relig do them? If not how do you invite others into your belief system? Do you think they are necessary? Should they be done every time believers and possible non-believers are convened?

Speak on it.

Thanks

[Chal™]

we have alter call, but that isn't when people are "invited" as you say. after the sermon, the "doors of the church are opened", and as the choir sings, people come up to join.

[peppermint]

Yea, kinda's like Chal's church except there were multiple calls within the altar call. There would be a call for prayer, invitation to join/reconnect and call to accept Jesus Christ.

I do believe anytime there is an event, be it a sermon or poetry night, there should be an invitation. I think it helps non-believers see that life is not totally ending because they are accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Also you never know when someone is touched. Someone may not know what to do so by sending forth the invitation you've given them the opportunity.

[Mrs. Eyes]

May 6, 2010 10:26:34 GMT -5 Chal™ said:

we have alter call, but that isn't when people are "invited" as you say. after the sermon, the "doors of the church are opened", and as the choir sings, people come up to join.

The doors of the church is open
Come on in!
The doors of the church is open
Come on in!
The preacher with outstretched says
Join us while you can
The doors of the church is open
Come on in!

[T-Rex91]

Do you mean like when folks come up and take the mike and start giving testimony? *UNPOPLUAR OPINION HERE* (LOL) I can't take it. Sometimes folks start rambling and using cliches and I start looking for the exits.

My church is similar to Pep's description. I've even seen the invitation to accept Christ done at concerts. I'm cool with that, just don't drag it out.

[Chal™]

my church is like that, as well. But the invitation isn't done during alter call. Alter call is done right after offering. I think because everyone is already up on their feet and we just step out of the pews and head down front to sing and pray. The invitation to join is always extended no matter what the program/event maybe. Sunday service, evening program, Bible study, musical programs, benefit programs.......

[peppermint]

May 6, 2010 13:59:16 GMT -5 T-Rex91 said:

Do you mean like when folks come up and take the mike and start giving testimony? *UNPOPLUAR OPINION HERE* (LOL) I can't take it. Sometimes folks start rambling and using cliches and I start looking for the exits.

My church is similar to Pep's description. I've even seen the invitation to accept Christ done at concerts. I'm cool with that, just don't drag it out.

It does irk me when they decide to do a second sermon and disguise it as an altar call.

[Hummy Jones]

<----------- church has alter call
<----------- always done at the beginning of prayer when the Pastor is done preaching
<----------- can happen at any event *like Pep said*

[nsync]

I meant invitation to salvation. I think my home church opened the door of the churches one Sunday a month. People came down to write there name on the book as members. They also were given welcome greeting by folks.

The action altar call is the invitation to salvation I spoke of. It could happen anywhere or at any event. Sometimes I felt it was inappropriate( like at weddings and funerals) but who am I to stop such an important thing from occuring.

My new church does not do altar calls at all... nor doors of the church. It's a non denom and doesn't believe such is biblical.

[peppermint]

Outtie, so they only believe in envangelism?

[nsync]

Yep street, event and one or one. So they preach the word---non-believers who accept Jesus and want to committment to the Christian walk are encouraged to meet with specified evangelists/personal workers so to speak to study the bible and prepare for conversion and baptismal.

[**Dea**]

Nope...no Alter Call for us.

After my pastor is done he'll say "the doors of the church is open. anybody wanna join? anybody wanna come back?"

but this is usually when ppl will go up to ask the church for forgiveness for their abscences or for their wrong doings/idle thoughts.

I come from a Born Again church....when ppl decide to join us they usually make the decision to be born again. Most times they will just get up and walk up to the morning bench, other times they'll tell whomever brought them there and an appt will be set up with the pastor to discuss. The pastor will either do it right there or give them directions and tell them to come back on another non-church day or come to service on Wednesday/Friday/Sunday and sit on the morning bench.

[nsync]

^^^ wow another church like my currents. ...well kinda