Invitations

That's cool you got baptized.
But I'm wondering why it bugs you about others going to the altar.
Sometimes you feel the NEED to go foward to pray or whatever, but don't need couseling. Try not to focus on what other people are doing. You'll be much happier.

 

That rocks!

At our church, we don't want to put people in the position of being tempted to "come forward" on an emotional high (or low), but never really understanding or fully meaning what they're doing. For that reason, we very rarely ever have 'altar calls'. Instead, we prefer to celebrate someone's commitment to faith after they're baptized. There are a couple of reasons for this: 1) The person has had time to digest and think about the decision he's making, and 2) We make people go through a class (that I teach) to explain what the Bible says about being a Christian, and what baptism is, means, and doesn't mean. This way, people who take that step have a pretty solid understanding of what they're doing beforehand.

 

Interesting.....is there an age limit to this 'class' and would they have to 'pass' said class to be baptized?

 

I know it's hard, Riddel. But the bottom line (as I see it) is this: you never really know for sure what's going on spiritually inside another person's heart and mind. Only God does. And if a person (or a church) is 'going through the motions' to boost attendance, or put up some other sort of good looking facade, God will judge them for it.

Take comfort in that hypocrisy is one of the things Jesus preached against most during His ministry on earth, and let the suspicions and rumors go. You'll be happier, you'll grow quicker, and you'll be better equipped to lead your family spiritually. :xyzthumbs

 

Sort of. I teach the adult class, which usually takes high school and older. Our youth pastor teaches the junior high to high school students. Our children's ministry pastor teaches a children's class, but I think he's been given the freedom to make judgment calls as to whether or not an individual child really understands the decision he or she is making. The youngest I think I've seen being baptized is probably 4 or 5, but we haven't baptized many children under the age of 10 that I'm aware of.

As a church, we don't baptize children (or anyone else) who don't understand the decision they're making, whether it's because of immaturity or ignorance.

It's not really a pass/fail situation. We don't test or anything like that. It's basically more of a seminar or lecture about making a decision to be a Christian and what it means to be baptized, accoriding to the Bible. We leave the decision up to the individual, after giving them enough knowledge to make an informed decision.

 

Ok....just a wondering.........

 

60 plus went forward this Sunday and half returned to there seats.

Honestly it's not that I care, its just that everyone claps when someone goes forward and it's a big decision. I don't think running down to the altar everytime you sin is the way to go. If you want to be in a catholic church and seek forgiveness once a week or month then so be it, but I think an invitation should be for those that have not become christians or have back slidden and need help. Just my 2 cents. I'm over it. I don't clap until everyone is forward now, so I don't have that aggrevated feeling anymore.

As far as baptisim goes I could have been baptised several times in life, but I never felt ready. The baptisim was cool. I read Romans 6:3-4 with my boys before reaching the beach. They memorized it, which was very cool. Then we sat with about 50 others on the beach and went to Matthew, Luke, Acts and Romans and talked about why baptisim is important. I don't want to start a debate here, but let's just say it was a great experience. After I was baptised, they asked me if I wanted to baptise my boys. It was something I can not describe.

I am about as bad an apple as you will find, but I honestly feel really good today. I pray it lasts.

 

500+ were baptised on Saturday between 830 and 1030...

amazing experience.

 

I would think most likely they are going down to pray at the altar. When my church has the altar call they also leave it open for anyone who wants to pray at the altar, so if they are walking back to their seats more than likely that's what they are doing. I seriously doubt that the church is trying to pad their numbers because people do not walk down to the altar because someone else is doing it. They walk down because they felt led by the Holy Spirit.

 

To tell you the truth, I'm not that crazy about Altar calls. At my church it drags the service on for another 20 minutes ( I KNOW I KNOW, I'M BAD) wish they'd just end the service, THEN say, if you want to come forward and pray or talk to someone feel free.