Dear Friends,
I have a concern of whatI observed last Sunday in church. I know this can get hairy so if it gets carnal I will back out. I would like your thoughts on this observation.
I've been attending a southern baptist church. With all sincerity he is one of the best men of God I've ever heard. He prays and does his homework. He is sharp and annointed. A plus 100%
It's this that bothers me. After the service he tells us of our need to get saved.GREAT.The congregation repeats a prayer ...ok.Then we are told to bow our heads and raise your hand if you accepted Christ Jesus.I'm ok here as well. Then come forward and there will be men of God to pray with you. I'm still ok .Then I watch a young man about 15 make his way to the alter....check the box on the card to be baptized next week and check another box that he is saved. The whole process took about 30 seconds and he walks back to his seat. Is it me or am I being too critical. What is wrong with this picture?
What I obeserved in GA in my military days was this. A man or women would be convicted. The mature ones usually about 2 would take them aside and honestly pray through with that indivualanywhere from 1/2 to 2 hours. When they were done the person looked saved. There was a glow and a different look upon their face. They would continue in the faith and grow.
What keeps me here is because the messages are 5 star excellent.
Dear Friends,
I have a concern of whatI observed last Sunday in church. I know this can get hairy so if it gets carnal I will back out. I would like your thoughts on this observation.
I've been attending a southern baptist church. With all sincerity he is one of the best men of God I've ever heard. He prays and does his homework. He is sharp and annointed. A plus 100%
It's this that bothers me. After the service he tells us of our need to get saved.GREAT.The congregation repeats a prayer ...ok.Then we are told to bow our heads and raise your hand if you accepted Christ Jesus.I'm ok here as well. Then come forward and there will be men of God to pray with you. I'm still ok .Then I watch a young man about 15 make his way to the alter....check the box on the card to be baptized next week and check another box that he is saved. The whole process took about 30 seconds and he walks back to his seat. Is it me or am I being too critical. What is wrong with this picture?
What I obeserved in GA in my military days was this. A man or women would be convicted. The mature ones usually about 2 would take them aside and honestly pray through with that indivualanywhere from 1/2 to 2 hours. When they were done the person looked saved. There was a glow and a different look upon their face. They would continue in the faith and grow.
What keeps me here is because the messages are 5 star excellent.
..after reading this...I'm glad I Home-Worship.... can't help ya,Chuck
When you get right down to it Chuck, the whole "salvation" experiance is between the individual and God. I know what your talking about tho, and this was one common practicein many of the churches I've attended, and I have taken it to be a method of easing thru folks reservations to be public. I don't agree or disagree as long as its only one tactic used in drawing souls.
In the long run however we will needs to confess before men that Jesus Christ is our Lord. But I think of Peter, who was very weak, and denied Christ three times and hidbefore he recieved the Holy Spirit and then spoke boldly.
I would'nt dissect it, but pray that these folk will be the good ground that the seed is being sown on.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
When you get right down to it Chuck, the whole "salvation" experiance is between the individual and God. Yes..after meditating upon the issue I came up with this thought as well.I know what your talking about tho, and this was one common practicein many of the churches I've attended, and I have taken it to be a method of easing thru folks reservations to be public. I don't agree or disagree as long as its only one tactic used in drawing souls. Amen..while driving to work 5 min. ago I thought about the scripture in Luke "Compel them to come in that my table may be full" This scripture seems to back it up somewhat.
In the long run however we will needs to confess before men that Jesus Christ is our Lord. But I think of Peter, who was very weak, and denied Christ three times and hidbefore he recieved the Holy Spirit and then spoke boldly. They do have them confess Christ Jesus befor ethey are baptized in the tank .
I would'nt dissect it, but pray that these folk will be the good ground that the seed is being sown on. I appreciate it brother. I know we chew the fat on here so this is why I brought it up, Not only that... it has been in my heart all week. I do love the pastor and if ya didn't see the name of the church you would sware he was charismatic. He really loves God.He's excited about Jesus.
Dear Friends,
I have a concern of whatI observed last Sunday in church. I know this can get hairy so if it gets carnal I will back out. I would like your thoughts on this observation.
I've been attending a southern baptist church. With all sincerity he is one of the best men of God I've ever heard. He prays and does his homework. He is sharp and annointed. A plus 100%
It's this that bothers me. After the service he tells us of our need to get saved.GREAT.The congregation repeats a prayer ...ok.Then we are told to bow our heads and raise your hand if you accepted Christ Jesus.I'm ok here as well. Then come forward and there will be men of God to pray with you. I'm still ok .Then I watch a young man about 15 make his way to the alter....check the box on the card to be baptized next week and check another box that he is saved. The whole process took about 30 seconds and he walks back to his seat. Is it me or am I being too critical. What is wrong with this picture?
What I obeserved in GA in my military days was this. A man or women would be convicted. The mature ones usually about 2 would take them aside and honestly pray through with that indivualanywhere from 1/2 to 2 hours. When they were done the person looked saved. There was a glow and a different look upon their face. They would continue in the faith and grow.
What keeps me here is because the messages are 5 star excellent.
I am not a fan of altar calls. Never have been. I am a fan of making available elders or preachers to talk one on one with someone, maybe pray with them.
They had an alter call last week at my church for people to "do more in ministries". I at first felt I should go. But then it came to me, only reason I would be doing it is for show in front of these people.
Maybe this was the culmination of weeks of prayer and longing for that young man. This may have been the moment where he decided to make his long held inner feelings and spiritual rebirth public.
In contrast, think about the Ethiopian. He accepted Christ and was Baptized after one "session" of learning the scriptures.
While it may have been an insincere act of "going through the motions" that you observed, it may also be the most profound moment in that boy's life.
Hey Eto! Long time no see.
I agree with your post. And lets remember that God is ultimatley in control thru the Holy Spirit and a Spirit of discernment may be in operation while dealing with this young man.
Good to see your still alive and kicking Eto.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Been thinking about this. Chuck may not be commenting so much on the young man in particular, but in how this practice could facilitate some insincere behavior... It could be a little irrisponsible (on the minister's part). But without being there to see the whole experience, I just can't say. I think I know where Chuck is coming from.
They had an alter call last week at my church for people to "do more in ministries". I at first felt I should go. But then it came to me, only reason I would be doing it is for show in front of these people. BC
I'm a fan of the alter call brother. I remember one day after heavily backsliden.It was right after I found out my first wife was fooling around. I slowly started going back to all the garbage . I felt compeled to go to a little ole store front pentecostal church. There must hav ebeen 12 folks in all. Th edear old pastor was playing I Just Came To Praise The Lord...
I broke down in tears and bawled my eyes out .I didn't wait for an altar call. I went down there ahd made it right with Jesus.
C7
Good to see ya back Jim....and thanks all for answering so maturely to a sensitive subject. I hate singling out certain denominations.
First of all this pastor does such a good job I feel a real check in my spirit to not dare say anything that would tarnish his character lest a lightening bolt come down and strike me dead. I honestly have that kind of respect for his walk.
I've come up with the same thoughts as all of you and just wanted some comfirmation. I'mhonestly getting challenged and fed and believe I will stick around. I feel as Leaf..it's really between the individual and the Lord.
C7
Concerns about the altar call
