Altar Calls

[ltwin]

This was a big church so about twenty people or so would so walk down the isle every Sunday. They simply get out of their seat and walk down the isle. Everyone else is standing and singing “Just As I Am”. So when they get to the front of the church the preacher and church staff and/or other church members greet them and sit them on the front rows. The preacher people kneel down in front of them with a pen and paper. They privately ask their names, occupations, and why they want to “be saved” and why they want to be a member of the church. We keep singing verse after verse of “Just As I Am” until the paperwork is done.

Hmm. . . That’s interesting. You learn something new everyday. Seems pretty, how can I put this, procedural. It has no relation to my idea of an altar call. My conception of an altar is not about filling out paper work LOL.

When I think of “altar call” I think “praying through” the old fashioned way. Like this:

http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/pasigucrc/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/altar_call.jpg

 

[MaryT777]

Hi,

As a Catholic, what have the opportunity to make an Altar call everyday of the week.

As Paul states:
(Heb 13:10) We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

When we recieve the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that is the Catholic altar call.

Bill

:tiphat:

 

[KimberlyCat]

“Paper work” probably wasn’t a good choice. They just simply jotted the info down. Nothing official. Ha! Ha! I never saw anything in a Baptist church like in this photo.

Hmm. . . That’s interesting. You learn something new everyday. Seems pretty, how can I put this, procedural. It has no relation to my idea of an altar call. My conception of an altar is not about filling out paper work LOL.

When I think of “altar call” I think “praying through” the old fashioned way. Like this:

http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/pasigucrc/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/altar_call.jpg

 

[ltwin]

“Paper work” probably wasn’t a good choice. They just simply jotted the info down. Nothing official. Ha! Ha! I never saw anything in a Baptist church like in this photo.

I guess Baptists have a more subdued take on conversion than Pentecostals do. Our altar calls are characterized by heavy conviction and urgency. We don’t even ask people if they want to join the church. That isn’t even on the agenda. If you’re born again, you are already a member of the church anyway.

 

[KimberlyCat]

Very interesting. Being a church member is a big deal for Baptists…but no sense of urgency.

I guess Baptists have a more subdued take on conversion than Pentecostals do. Our altar calls are characterized by heavy conviction and urgency. We don’t even ask people if they want to join the church. That isn’t even on the agenda. If you’re born again, you are already a member of the church anyway.

 

[4Squarebaby]

Very interesting. Being a church member is a big deal for Baptists…but no sense of urgency.

Because they practice only a semi open communion and being an member insures that you have had a believer’s baptism by immersion. Just as the Catholic Church has a list of denominations they assume would have baptized people in what they consider the proper form.

 

[Faithdancer]

When I think of “altar call” I think “praying through” the old fashioned way. Like this: http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/pasigucrc/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/altar_call.jpg

Great photo, Itwin, thanks for sharing it. And how could any true believer, no matter what church he or she attends, ever say that those in this photo aren’t feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit? These moments aren’t staged, or simply emotional responses, they are infinitely more.

And, as the Roman Catholic Cardinal Arinze once said, if you feel the presence of God, why wouldn’t you kneel? Why wouldn’t you crawl? Of course, he was referring to kneeling at the altar rail to receive communion, but the message is the same.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Great photo, Itwin, thanks for sharing it. And how could any true believer, no matter what church he or she attends, ever say that those in this photo aren’t feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit? These moments aren’t staged, or simply emotional responses, they are infinitely more.

And, as the Roman Catholic Cardinal Arinze once said, if you feel the presence of God, why wouldn’t you kneel? Why wouldn’t you crawl? Of course, he was referring to kneeling at the altar rail to receive communion, but the message is the same.

Agree entirely!