Craig Daliessio on good old-fashioned altar calls

Craig Daliessio, my friend and graduate of Liberty University, popular speaker, and author of  A Ragamuffin Christmas, has a unique take on "altar calls."¹ While conceding abuse of the altar call has been the unfortunate practice of some in evangelical and fundamentalist circles, Craig nonetheless laments the demise of genuine invitations and altar calls, especially among some of the contemporary churches where he often speaks. In "Gimme That Old Time Religion: Part 3: The Altar," he writes:

"Another memory from my early days as a believer. Another seeming relic that has all but been mothballed in contemporary church services these days. The Altar Service.
Now, a common complaint about altar services...and one that bears great merit...is that they can be abused and forced. I agree. I have seen some of the most over-the-top drama and emotionalism occur at the end of a sermon, when the "altar is open" and the preacher waits for verse after verse of the invitation hymn to coax any straggler from his pew. ...

"But again...the church I attended wasn't like that. But they did have an altar service. They never failed.
Why?
Because they believed--and I agree--that a person who has had his "head-on collision" moment with Jesus, needs the opportunity to do his business on bended knee, with a mature believer's hand on his shoulder. A new convert needs to let the folks know. A prodigal heart needs a chance to come home.
It doesn't need to be protracted or dramatic. But I like knowing that if I want to kneel and get some things straight with God, or just kneel in thanks...that I have a place I can go and maybe share my burden with a Christian brother. ...

"I seldom see churches doing this anymore. Not contemporary churches anyway. I understand it a bit. It has been overworked in the past. But meeting with God in your moment of conviction should never be forgotten.
I wish more churches had those moments at the end of a service." 

The many times I've heard critics rightly diss the abusive exploitation of the "altar call" only to leave the questionable impression that all altar calls are abusive exploitation by nature remains impossible to calculate. The usual complaint is, altar calls are both unbiblical and thoroughly manipulative; therefore, we should abandon all altar calls.

Craig's balanced criticism is both clear and terribly needed as a proper corrective toward those who unjustly condemn authentic altar calls.

Read Craig Daliessio's trilogy in full:

• "Gimme That Old Time Religion: Part 3: The Altar" 
• "Gimme That Old Time Religion: Part 2: He Who Wins Souls is Wise" 
• "Gimme That Old Time Religion" 

 

¹at least unique among many who criticize the exploitation of "altar calls"

Comments

[Craig Daliessio]

Thanks Peter, its funny...back when I was growing up in that church, I swore I'd leave one day and never go back. Now I often wish I could. There will be one or two more additions to this series before I wrap it up. Hope they bless some folks.

[peter lumpkins]

Thanks for the series, Craig. It's helpfully balanced and therefore a needed corrective to those who proverbially throw out the baby with the used bath water. We're obligated to always use soberness and common sense in our invitations; but it's surely a mistake to declare all invitations/altar calls abusive because some wacko misused it.

Lord bless, brother

[Mike Woodward]

After years of very few altar calls, we have returned to them. We now purposely call on our membership to use this "holy time", as we refer to it, to respond to the worship and preaching of His word.

Just for reference, we are a non-denom, baptistic church roughly built on a purpose driven model. It became apparent that our people did not sense the implicit need to respond to the Holy Spirit in obedience, so we decided to make an explicit response time.

[Max]

For every horror story that can be served up regarding altar call abuses, there are countless more of folks who have found that "you cannot have rest, or be perfectly blest, until all on the altar is laid."

I heard one of the new breed of pastors we often chat about on this blog counsel a young man who essentially asked "What must I do to be saved?" The pastor's response "You don't have to do anything - God's grace has been extended to you." In lieu of "invitations", the same pastor simply announces "Baptizing next Sunday - sign up on Facebook!"

Lord Jesus, please spare the altar call in the changes that are headed our way!

[Ron F. Hale]

At the age of 23, I struggled every Sunday for several weeks ... during the invitation.

Church was fairly new to me. Finally, one Sunday morning, probably on the 7th or 8th verse of Just As I Am (Many people were already at the altar) ... I knew very clearly what needed to happen. I needed to turn from my life of sin and turn to Jesus in faith. I prayed at the altar that morning a very simple prayer of trust; I called on Jesus to save me! My life has never been the same since that holy moment!

Blessings, Ron F. Hale

[Max]

Ron, you have just expressed a "personal experience" with the Lord. My encounter with Christ was similar - I knew that I knew that I knew I must respond. When "Just As I Am" rang out, I ran to the altar in tears just as I was. I prayed that sinner's prayer, accepted Jesus into my heart, and haven't looked back or doubted my salvation since. No manipulative plea from the pastor, no dimmed lights, no gimmicks ... just me and the Lord at a tear-stained altar.

I have found that those in our ranks who mock altar calls have a mistrust of personal Christian experience of the sort we have had. So sad.

[Mary]

I hope this link works:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=just+as+i+am+travis+cottrell+youtube&mid=3B9B9D23BFE3AF630DF33B9B9D23BFE3AF630DF3&view=detail&FORM=VIRE2

[Max]

Thank you Mary. That's what the altar is for.

[Mary]

Max, I think the chorus he added just blends beautifully with the original. I love how he stayed true to the original - no guitar licks or heavy drums to modernize it. It's the exact same beloved tune.

[the Old Adam]

We have an "altar call" each week when we invite Baptized Christians to come up and receive what the world could never buy...the body and blood of our dear Lord Jesus.

The altar is His table. He invites us to dine...on Him.

Thanks.