Old Timers and Newbies........differences... - Page 2

#11 09-12-2007, 05:12 PM

I think there is a lot of truth to that article about kids today that someone posted recently... even though it was talking about kids now, I felt like it described me perfectly. I am always in the wrong time period. lol.

Sherri · #12 09-12-2007, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

I was talking with a friend recently about how in the old timers days, which I now find myself,

things were a lot different than they are now.

1. When a sinner came to the altar, they pretty much came alone. There was no mass everyone come to the front.

2. Rarely did I see someone get the Holy Ghost the first time they went to the altar, but I did see a lot of tears and repenting.

3. Once they got the Holy Ghost most seemed to keep it from many years, and it was a big deal when someone backslid.

Now I see things seemed to have changed.

1. Most sinners come in a group and you miss who is there for prayer many times. I guess this is to keep them from feeling embarrased? Not sure why/when, or how this got started. Maybe to get the saints to come down and pray???

2. Most seem to the the Holy Ghost the first time they come to the altar. Is this because of the latter day rain?

3. There seems to be a revolving door of in today and out tomorrow. Many times we never see the person that prayed through even come back.

Why the difference?

My opinions:
#1 - Most of our altar calls are for a myriad of things, anywhere from salvation to healing, etc. Many many people come and repent, and many cry, but we don't usually have long drawn out altar services. I have seen lots of people come and cry and cry because they are sorry, but they don't change their lives. Repentance actually just means a change of mind/change of direction. Whether or not this is accompanied by a lot of emotion is irrelevant. They do have to be sorry for their sins and confess to God that they are a sinner, but some cry and some don't. But their lives are turned around, either way.

#2 - I don't think there is anything wrong with receiving the Holy Ghost immediately after one repents. The way we were taught (tarrying) was not even biblical. I prayed for seven years! If I had only known that it was an easy gift to receive and I could just reach out and take it, I would have gotten it alot sooner. Tarrying was actually taught where I was raised.

#3 - American people, as a whole, are not loyal - and this is in every area of life. We have a "me" generation and it's hard to get past that in the realm of church/God. However, like I was saying in #1, if a true mind decision is made, the person will stick. Alot of Pentecostal salvations go backwards because when the emotions of the moment die down, people don't really have a changed mind. They were only caught up in the emotions of a service.

pastor21 · #13 09-12-2007, 05:37 PM

The way we were taught (tarrying) was not even biblical

I am amazed at the answers here...Why do we enjoy making fun and light of what a person feels led of God to do?
Where does the Bible mention co pastor, SS teacher, Youth leader, and a lot of things we use?

Thanks, Sis! I was going to say this exact thing!

Hmmm?

Sherri · #14 09-12-2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pastor21

The way we were taught (tarrying) was not even biblical

I am amazed at the answers here...Why do we enjoy making fun and light of what a person feels led of God to do?
Where does the Bible mention co pastor, SS teacher, Youth leader, and a lot of things we use?

Thanks, Sis! I was going to say this exact thing!

Hmmm?

So, do you think you have to tarry to receive the Holy Ghost? I think it's a little different talking about one's standing with God than talking about the methods of evangelism. But maybe that's just the way I see it.

RevDWW · #15 09-12-2007, 05:50 PM

Come on Preachers let's set the plow a little deeper..........:diggin

pelathais · #16 09-12-2007, 06:09 PM

I think in may cases we have gotten better at generating some of the initial numbers- we're having more people in our altars overall. The falling away you observe may just be that we're herding people forward who simply aren't ready yet.

Another way of looking at it, perhaps: we're sowing more seed on more types of ground. It only stands to reason that we'll also see more weeds choking and feet trampling where we have sown. Hopefully we'll also see the seed taking root in the good ground as well.

But then again, I remember hearing these same concerns more than 30 years ago when I first came into the church. I remember feeling like I might be the last one in - what with all the doom and gloom some of those people expressed. Now 30+ years later, many of them have fallen away after the same pattern that they complained about.

I say, rejoice when only 1 sinner repents. It is a pretty important event in heaven. And then nurture that soul like its the last convert you'll ever see.

Esther · #17 09-13-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

I think the pressure of the world is far more strong today and affects things like these. Just the world's generations themselves become harder with each generation. Desensitized.

This very true, unfortunately.

Esther · #18 09-13-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malvaro

a) because people now days are reluctant to publically acknowledge they have sin in their life and have built up a high-tolerance to conviction preaching and don't understand what true, sincere repentance is....
b) Nope, God is still the same. Focused teaching/preaching during the message perhaps better prepare the sinner to understand how to receive the Holy Ghost during the altar call....
c) Three words: Lack of Committment. People like to have a "back door" available to them to ensure they always have convenient choices for lifestyle.... lack of new-convert discipleship, inability to connect with the church body, etc could also affect this as well....

just a few thoughts....

This bolded part could be true do to the fast pace of our lives compared to many years ago.

Good thoughts.

Esther · #19 09-13-2007, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

Esther,

I think Rev DWW hit the nail on the head. We live in a different time. Snap decisions and little committment are the norm.

You are right about this!

Esther · #20 09-13-2007, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

I think there is a lot of truth to that article about kids today that someone posted recently... even though it was talking about kids now, I felt like it described me perfectly. I am always in the wrong time period. lol.

What time period to you think you would fit in the best?