Invitation time observation

Erm, why the pastor, specifically? Should we not be focusing on God?

At my parents' church, people sing during the invitational period. I haven't observed much - if any - closing up shop. But it's a good thing to be mindful of, certainly.

 

We don't have an "invitation time," but if we did, I
would be praying.

If this is happening during an invitation time, it is
likely because of poor planning or because the
leaders are unaware of this distraction. Perhaps
a little brainstorming is due.

 

Maybe the problem is with the "invitation" time.

 

J.C., the concept of altar calls and invitations are a very late addition to Christianity - and something that contemporary baptist churches are rejecting in increasingly larger numbers. (Can someone remind me of the name of the fellow who brought altar calls into prominence? Finney?)

Joshua

P.S. I strongly question your belief that someone who has not made a verbal profession of faith is unable to know God in some sense and is therefore unable to worship.

 

There's a few things that bother me during services. As for the invitation, it's hard to take seriously because WHY does the invitation last about 3 minutes and then you lose your chance? LOL They don't say that, although it's implied with "we're only going to sing one more stanza and then it'll be too late" or other such comments. And WHY do most ask not to keep eyes closed and say "nobody's looking, you can come up and if you're fast enough nobody will noticed you tripped over five people trying to squeeze out, said a 25 second prayer, and tripped over them again on your way back from this great spiritual moment you just had". If you're going up and kneeling in front of the WHOLE CHURCH why ya gonna feel better if you think nobody's looking? I don't get the whole thing.

My main issue is with praying. There's no respect. Pastor starts praying and people are zipping up their bible cases, the singers are heading up front, the ushers are walking up to the front, during the closing prayers someone is headed out back to be ready to open the doors and shake hands. Would people really be that upset over taking an extra ten seconds at church so ALL could show respect while we prayed to God? Like you're saying about the invitation, it's become routine and means NOTHING to most people. I don't get the invitation, but I'm respectful during it anyhow.
But come on, walking around or zipping bibles during prayer? That's just really disturbing!
Gina

 

Please see the fundamentalist forum for a discussion on altar calls. Basically, it is a manipulative method to guilt people into thinking they are "getting right with God". Just so you know, Josh and I are poles apart theologically. It has nothing to do with Fundies or liberals.

 

Most of your know my stand, I still think the invitation is appropriate if conducted properly.

By properly, one should understand that they do not have to come forward to be saved, etc. etc.

When the pastor says we will sing one more stanza, it means the last chance for that service, not forever. And that should be explained.

In our church, when someone comes forward, they are teamed with a trained counselor and if a decision is made or has been made, it is then announced to the church. This our method of people joining our church.

Most of the people in our church do what J.C. described during the offertory which is last at our church. I noticed for over a year that several couples would get up and leave, two of them deacons, and my thoughts were, they must want to get in line at the restaurant early.

Later, I learned that they are the money counters...They count the receipts and prepare the deposits for that day. But I wonder what visitors think?

 

I have no opinion toward general invitations, but
the way they are handled is often certainly not
good, in my opinion. Many people make
emotional and unthought-out decisions to "go
forward," and I am not one who believes that a
handshake and a signature on a card saves. 8o)
I know that there are places where instruction
and advice are given, but I have never heard how
this is handled.

 

Abiyah: "I know that there are places where instruction
and advice are given, but I have never heard how
this is handled."

I need to run off to work.
Surely i'll get off work sometime?

I've been a counselor in my church
for some 35 years. The bulletin lists
two men and two women who are the
first responders. If more come forth
at invitations, more counselors are
available.

Abiyah: "I am not one who believes that a
handshake and a signature on a card saves. 8o) "

I don't think so either.
It is the heart which God looks upon,
not the handshake.
However, I do believe this:

Romans 10:9 (KJV1873):

That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised him from
the dead, thou shall be saved

The invitation is a chance for a person
to confess with their mouth that Jesus
is their Lord.

I know i first did this in April 1952.
While believing in my heart that God raised
Jesus from the dead, i confessed that
Jesus was my Lord. Jesus then became my
Savior, as well as my Lord.
Even today, 51 years later, i confess
(this is kinda public isn't it?) that
Jesus is still my Lord and still my Savior.

 

Often our pastor will ask that everyone close their eyes, and asks if there is any one in the congregation that is unsure about their salvation or anyone who wants him to pray for their salvation to raise their hands. I think the reason for asking everyone to close their eyes is so people who are struggling will not have to worry about others judging them. I know when I went to church before I was saved, the MAIN thing that kept me from going forward at the invitation was fear of being judged, and I didn't want smothered by people afterwards either. I accepted Jesus into my heart after the pastor of the church came to my home to visit me. I went to bed that night and I knew I couldn't go to sleep without asking Jesus into my life. I am just as saved as I would be if I'd walked the aisle. I DO believe, however, that one must confess publically that they have accepted Jesus.

I don't zip my bible up, or wrap up during prayer or invitation, but I will admit there have been times my mind will wander off thinking about what I have to do after I leave. I would venture to say we've all payed a little less attention than we should during a church service at one time or another.

 

What I don't understand is why they say for
everyone to close their eyes to give the people
privacy, I suppose,
</font>

• then they ask for hands to be
  raised (can be done without being
  noticed)</font>
• then they ask all who raised their
  hands to come forward (will be noticed
  by some, even with their eyes closed)</font>
• then everyone loks to see who has
  'gone forward," (and everyone knows
  this will happen)</font>
• then they tell the people that a public
  profession is necessary (this will be
  noticed!)</font>

If there is going to be an invitation, why not be
totally honest with the people and tell them, "If
you are sincere, this is going to change your
whole life, starting now, and everyone around you
is going to know it. If you are hesitant or
embarrassed to come, you are either not ready or
you are not being called."

And if asking the people to close their eyes is for
the purpose of prayer, why not just say, "It is time
for believers to pray." Some people pray with
their eyes closed and some don't; most of us are
more comfortable knowing for whom we are
praying, so open eyes will give that information.

It just seems, to me, like another empty tradition
to have everyone close their eyes and go through
the above scenerio.

 

I feel that church is the place where I and others who are saved are instructed to live for Jesus and taught to take the Word forth and lead others to Christ. While people should be given the opportunity to respond to Jesus, I don't think this is the primary responsibility of a church service. Rather it is the responibility of those who are in Christ to take what they are taught to others.

G

 

Fortunately, Abiyah, Our church does what you suggest.

The pastor explains the plan of salvation; he tells how trusting Jesus will change their lives.
He does this at every service.

We pray!

We sing!

People are given the opportunity to come forward with any decisions that they have made!

If at anytime (and this is not done often), the pastor feels led to have people close their eyes and ask if anyone needs prayer, he does so.

He also invites anyone who wants to come to the altar and pray during this time.

I feel very confident that our Pastor is doing everything in his power to give the Holy Spirit
the opportunity to work during the service.

Again, I am speaking of our church and I am know that some do as you describe.

 

As a Pastor, I have noticed that during the invitation time it is distracting to people when others start preparing to leave. I do not have an "altar call" every week. For me there are times that it just seems "forced." At other times however I feel led to have people respond publicly. I must admit that rarely does anyone, but our church is a little unique.

The altar call for me is a time of decision. Whenever I preach I try to make it clear that you are to respond to what God reveals to you through the sermon. I go into every sermon with the prayer, "Lord everyone needs to respond in some way to this message, and even if no one else does, I will." A decision time for action based on what you heard is a way in my mind to cement your commitment to the Lord. It is a practical way for us to be "doers of the word and not merely hearers."

 

We do not have an altar call. We have prayer rooms where anyone can go after the service to meet with an elder for biblical counseling...it is always announced in the service for anyone to go....the process for couseling may go longer than this,but this is the initial meeting. Many come to know Christ through faith and true repentance in these rooms where very qualified men are explaining the gospel to those who are seeking Christ.

I think this is best.

 

I am thankful for my church and pastor