Altar Call
Have you ever sat there at the end of a church service and heard mention of an “Altar Call” or an "Invitation?" Did you see some folks go to the front and maybe speak to the Preacher, or kneel down and start praying? Do you know what that is all about?
Don't feel funny. Many folks new to a Church are just plain bewildered at this bit of activity. Such being the case, herein is a brief explanation of just what's going on and why these folks are going down front. In understanding, perhaps you may take advantage of the invitation at Altar Call.
Many are the roles of the Altar and the immediate area around it. A primary role is the provision of a place for folks to come before the Lord, in His House, and before witnesses, speak to Him. Often an attendee of a service will be especially blessed. The Holy Spirit will speak to him or her through the Preacher and God will put His finger on something in their life. He may commend them for something they have done in their life that has brought them closer to Him; He may convict them and bring their attention to something in their life that needs to change – in order to become closer to Him. When this happens, there is a time provided at the end of the service to come forward to the Altar of God's House and speak to Him about whatever it is He brings to your attention.
“Why do I need to speak to Him in front of all these people?” you may ask. Firstly, can you think of a better place to speak to God than in His House? If God has just spoken to you in the service, it's because the time was right for Him to do so. The matter is now fresh and prevalent in your mind. The Altar is the place God has provided to come and do business with Him. Also, the Altar is a place of sacrifice. The initial sacrifice is to put your away pride and and take care of business in an environment that may make you feel slightly uncomfortable. You don't think about yourself and what others may think, you think about the Lord and what it is that will please Him. It's about doing something for the God that created you. Many times God will speak to you about what it will take for you to grow in your Spiritual Life. That will usually require giving something up – giving it up to Him – making a sacrifice. God wants to know that you are growing and putting Him first in all that you are able. You bring yourself to the Altar and you leave whatever it is God is speaking to you about on the Altar - literally or figuratively.
You may need to come boldly before God to ask something of Him. Now would be the time to do so. You have God's attention, and more importantly, He has yours; now is when He wants you to come. Additionally, you may have a burden that you just want someone to pray with you about. If you come to the Preacher during the Altar Call, he or an Elder can lead you in prayer; you can call on God together. The greatest decision of your life may need to be made when the Holy Spirit convicts you of your lost condition. If you are not saved and need to that matter right with God; if you need to know for sure that you are going to Heaven when you die... NOW is the time to go forward and get it settled. If you are not sure that Heaven is your home and you have an opportunity to get it straight – take it! This is the most important event to occur at the Altar. A lost (unsaved) person will come to the Preacher and be led to the simple Truth of salvation. In just a few minutes time anyone can know, without any doubt, that they are going to Heaven.
You may have decided that you want to become a member of the Church. The Altar Call would be the time that you would come forward to tell the Preacher of your desire. In any event, the Altar Call is for you... take advantage of it. You need not come forward every service, but you do need to come forward whenever the Lord moves you to and care for whatever business He brings to your attention. You may not be sure what to do after the Lord puts His finger on something in your life. Use the Altar Call to seek the counsel of the Preacher. He can provide you with that next needed step.
Responding to the Altar Call is not a substitute for your personal time with the Lord at home. It is a special time that He as established for you to take care of any business that His Holy Spirit has put on your heart during the preaching service.