Monday, December 6, 2010
Walking the Aisle
"At first, the altar call was used as an efficient way to gather spiritually interested people together for counseling after a sermon." In this instance, an "altar call" or "walking the aisle" is fine. At my church, walking the aisle is used for someone who wants to come pray with someone and just talk. But my pastor also gives the option of just coming to him or other leaders in the church after the sermon to talk. I do not think walking the aisle should be used to judge or find out how the crowd responds to your sermon. It's not about how well you preach. It is about letting God speak through you and allowing Him to use you. It is then up to the people if they want to come forward during the altar call or just wait and have "counseling" after the service. I think many people these days can use it in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons. If the motive is correct, walking the aisle is fine. But along with many other good things, if the motive is wrong, then the whole thing is no good. I don't agree with Charles Finney when he says "it is necessary for sinners to make a public renunciation of their sinful ways." It is not about noticing sinners or making it a certain, special time just for them. I think often people will judge others who go forward and that is wrong. It can be for both someone who is going to confess a sin or if someone just needs prayer. It all matters in the manner in which the altar call is used. If the motives are correct, then I believe walking the aisle during and altar call is just fine.
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I agree that people really have to know that they are sinning and are making the walk for the right reasons.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is wrong to judge sinners and that if the motive is wrong in any good thing, then it isn't good anymore.
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog! I like that you said it's not a way to judge sinners or to find out how the crowd responds. From most of the altar calls I've seen, the motives have been wrong, but yes, they can sometimes be good! Good job Branden.
ReplyDeletei had what i was gonna say then i read mollys comment and she said it all. it is sad that we sometimes just use alter call as a way to call out all those sinners who havent gone to the front. rather than we reach out to them with love.
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