All Star Survey.. Part I

We have carefully reviewed all of the All Star Surveys. If you haven't already participated, you can click here to complete the survey.

We are going to use this blog to discuss some of the results.

Several people mentioned they thought we ought to be be doing an invitation or altar call. First, we may need to explain what this is for those who didn't grow up in a church that does this.

An altar call or invitation is usually given at the end of the service. The pastor invites people who have made a spiritual decision to come forward. It is usually accompanied by music, lasts several minutes to perhaps ten minutes, with periodic exhortations from the pastor to those who may be considering a decision.

We stopped doing a traditional invitation several years ago, and we did it for several good reasons.

• There is no Scriptural mandate for it- it is first documented being used in a form we would recognize today during what is known as The Second Great Awakening, a great period of revival that began in the 1820's.
  
• Many people find it intimidating to respond to a spiritual call in the presence of what might be hundreds of strangers. Remember, public speaking or doing something in fron of a crowd, is one of the greatest fears of most people.
• It can lead to "emotional" responses, rather than genuine responses to the Holy Spirit.

In fact, at the end of every Worship Gathering, people are invited to talk to Pastor Ken, me, or a member of the Prayer Team. Also, we encourage people to contact us by telephone, email, or to come by the office during the week.

Almost every week we speak at length with someone who has questions or who has made a spiritual decision of some type. We are not missing opportunities by not doing an invitation- we are simply eliminating the intimidation factor.

Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor