Isn't that what church is supposed to do?
Suppose you gave an altar call and nobody came?
Week after week.
I'd say there's something wrong.
I can't believe in a church of 300 that there aren't people with needs.
True, it's Jesus who meets needs.
But nothing wrong with praying with people who will stand in agreement with you.
Week after week there are powerful messages from the pulpit.
Messages about forgiveness.
Messages about dealing with offences.
Messages about getting rid of idols in our lives.
Messages about dying to self and putting God first.
The invitation is given...
"If God's speaking to you and you'd like to respond..."
Do you know the power there is in responding?
It brings commitment to your decision.
It brings release and healing.
People aren't sitting there pointing fingers, saying,
"Wow, they have a problem with that?!"
And even if they were pointing fingers...
hey, this is between you and God.
Then, why not just do it in the pew?
Well, you can, but coming forward is like a seal on the deal.
And more. Much more.
A friend says she and her husband couldn't disagree without always dredging up the past.
But a trip to the altar chamged all that.
Now they can disagree without the past baggage.
Why? They left the baggage at the altar.
(Man, I'm thinking there's a whole lot more to explore on that topic...
the altar.)
Next time the invitiation is given,
will you do yourself a favor?
Say... "God, I'm wanting to do some business with You.
I'm believing that by this simple act of going forward You will meet with me in a special way."