StuffApostolicsLike posted a new humorous topic on the altar call which took a tangent point into scare tactics being used at the altar appeal. One poster said this:
****If emotionalism works to get some people to lower their defenses and have honest conversations with God in the altar/pew/car/wherever, then I suppose it isn't in my place or anyone else's to criticize it too heavily---that is, until it becomes institutionalized as the only means by which one can have an experience and, further, that that experience, and not the overall orientation toward God, is sought after as an ends. Then there is a problem.*****
This sums up perfectly how I feel.
Whatever works. Compel them. Scare them. Love them. Woo them. Shame them. Guilt them. Whatever it takes. Hell is real. Jesus is God. He is worthy of our utter and complete surrender. Period. Jesus knows how to twist our arms and speak our language. Its His specialty to (seemingly) hurt and skeer us into obedience. Ask Jonah, David, Peter and Paul.
Re: The Altar Call: Does the means justify the end
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMasterMind
I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some?
First, I've heard so may hijack Paul's words here to be a blank check for anything they'd like... his words must have confines, and those confines must be that it always points to the cross, is in love, is honest and meets the criteria of 1 cor 13 (IMO). I'm sure there are others. Point being, ethics mean something, and we define this according to the Gospel.
Next, "becoming all things" is about the individual -- not about abusing the flock so that they will love Jesus more.
Re: The Altar Call: Does the means justify the end
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximilian
StuffApostolicsLike posted a new humorous topic on the altar call which took a tangent point into scare tactics being used at the altar appeal. One poster said this:
****If emotionalism works to get some people to lower their defenses and have honest conversations with God in the altar/pew/car/wherever, then I suppose it isn't in my place or anyone else's to criticize it too heavily---that is, until it becomes institutionalized as the only means by which one can have an experience and, further, that that experience, and not the overall orientation toward God, is sought after as an ends. Then there is a problem.*****
This sums up perfectly how I feel.
Whatever works. Compel them. Scare them. Love them. Woo them. Shame them. Guilt them. Whatever it takes. @#!*% is real. Jesus is God. He is worthy of our utter and complete surrender. Period. Jesus knows how to twist our arms and speak our language. Its His specialty to (seemingly) hurt and skeer us into obedience. Ask Jonah, David, Peter and Paul.
I personally don't think it is right to Compel them. Scare them. Love them. Woo them. Shame them. Guilt them, etc.
I visited a church Sunday night that I absolutely loved the way this pastor did altar. It was a great service with a lot of worshiping and at the end the pastor asked if there was anyone in the service that had not received the Holy Ghost since they believed. Two people came up and the pastor simply talked about how simple it was to receive God's gift. It was seconds before the two were speaking in tongues. So simple - so easy - no scare tactics or begging.
Re: The Altar Call: Does the means justify the end
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrsMcD
I personally don't think it is right to Compel them. Scare them. Love them. Woo them. Shame them. Guilt them, etc.
I visited a church Sunday night that I absolutely loved the way this pastor did altar. It was a great service with a lot of worshiping and at the end the pastor asked if there was anyone in the service that had not received the Holy Ghost since they believed. Two people came up and the pastor simply talked about how simple it was to receive God's gift. It was seconds before the two were speaking in tongues. So simple - so easy - no scare tactics or begging.
How does he give an altar appeal for individuals who just want to make commitment to Jesus? (They heard the Word and believed)
Ask Jonah, David, Peter and Paul. 
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