“The Invitation” AKA “The Altar Call”

This cracks me up every time I watch it.  That sigh at the end says it all. 

The reason I was looking up the altar call today is because I went to a conference this weekend that employed a form of the altar call.  It wasn’t for salvation per se rather repentance for sexual sin of various kinds.  It seemed to be assumed that the people responding were already Christians.  The first invitation went out specifically to “a leader in Christian ministry that is involved in inappropriate sexual perversion.”  Of course I want people to come clean and not walk in darkness and I do not want to discount the genuineness of those that responded to such an invitation.  However, it reminded me how unmoved I am by these things personally now.  As I mentioned in the post He was Speaking to ME about My Ways, I am bothered by the method such as using the mood music to accompany the work God is allegedly doing.  I was wondering where this started.  I did a search "mood music for altar calls" and I read several articles against these practices for theological reasons.  Such as "Why We Don't Use the Altar Call", "Where's the altar call" [Archive], or "The Anatomy of the altar call, anonymity is key".

There was a time I was excited about the altar call.  I wanted to celebrate every decision for Christ no matter what human method was used. I believed God could use it for his purpose.  I then began to be bothered by the unbiblical or misused scriptures such as “accept Jesus into your heart”.  I wanted to celebrate that these people were moved by the message but I worried about what they were actually getting when they raised their hands and went forward.  Now it all seems so cheap and hokey to me.  It seems to do a disservice.
I don’t want to be cold and unemotional and entirely discount both the speaker for employing such human methods and the hearer for responding.  I don’t want to sit there all smug as if I know it takes more then a emotional appeal and soft music playing in the background to live out the Christian life.  I do want to be able to rightly evaluate what is taking place whether or not it is a problem with me or a problem with the method that causes this turmoil within me.
What is your experience with the “altar call” type approach?

HE was Speaking to ME about My Ways

YADAH247 3 weeks ago
My opinion;the title of the video is intended for shock value which would entice some to listen. A common tactic employed on YouTube. It doesn't really do the testimonial justice nor really get to the "heart" of the message. I think the ensuing doctrinal debate in these comments also misses the point. Also I can't help but feel the sensationalism, the music, etc. on cue at the end [1:35:40] is exactly the kind of thing he talks about when he speaks of human effort and human ways. -1:22:50-1:28:15
Journal Entry 3-13-2012
I wish to reckon things as the Lord would reckon. Not be tied to the evil reckonings that oppose the Lord. I want to not show what I know about secondary things but clearly and boldly stand on solid ground of primary things. Not despise being thought simple, not despise being thought naïve as the world reckons naivety. Not self righteous; not despise words or definitions or fear being defined or falsely judged. But being true, having integrity and a pure conscience before God and man. Consumed of the Lord and sure of where I stand in relation to Him that matters. Being confident in who he wants me to be and sure of how he sees me. Quick to repent and not destroyed by fears or insecurities.

Someone helped ME

   When I look at myself lately, I remember this scene from the movie The Basketball Diaries and I imagine this is what I look like.  (on the inside at least)  In the scene, Jim Carroll (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) is experiencing opiate withdrawal.  There are chills, cramps, and all sorts of snot and tears.  It is rather despicable.  He is "helped" through the process by his friend Reggie (played by Ernie Hudson.)  Reggie basically sits by his side and prevents him from leaving to die in his old habit. It raises two questions in me; "Where does one find a friend like Reggie?" Secondly, "How does one become a person like Reggie?"

I have never been addicted to heroin but there are plenty of aspects of “self” that have not gone to the cross easily.  Every time I begin the process that is necessary to be liberated I am quite certain this is what I look like.  And who can bear it?  The common American style “church” from what I’ve seen, doesn’t seem to be structured in such a way to endure such madness.  I haven’t much relied on the Spirit but I have relied on the flesh that I am suppose to mortify.  (Romans 8:13)  This mortifying process Paul talks about (Colossians 3:5-25), “putting off the old man” and putting on the “new man” isn’t necessarily pretty.  There are certain things that are required of us to see to it that we stick through until we come out clean.  We need to go through genuine repentance and be in true community.  There is a certain “forbearance” necessary that won’t let each other get by on a “little taste” but yet will stick by when it gets really rough and downright nasty.

This brings me to my next point.  I am currently reading the book The Game Plan: The Men's 30-Day Strategy for Attaining Sexual Integrity.  It is not a bad book so far. (I am only on day 15)  On day nine it talks about setting up an “accountability structure”.  Obviously the principle is clear from Scripture and he makes the case well enough using the sports analogy.  However, the sample conversation ones partner should have if one fails to stay “sober” during the week, kind of pisses me off.  That part makes it seem as if I would be getting someone to hold my hand like I am a little girl. (no offense to little girls)  It sounds anything but “pushing” and “challenging”.  I have watched a lot of MMA and there is one thing I find when it comes to their training, those guys do not take it easy on each other in training.  I am sure it is true in any sports training.  The idea is to make it as painful and grueling as possible in training to be prepared for anything in the real fight, game, or whatever the case may be.  People that train well, find the actual event easy in comparison.  So if I am going to take it easy on myself and allow myself this sin or that one, the last thing I need is some mamsy pamsy dude that will also take it easy on me.  What happened to all that “pushing” and “getting in your face”, and “yelling” that he talked about earlier in the chapter, using the analogy of working out?  Confession should never become painless.  What good does it do if it is?  “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  It is painful because our brothers in the faith are going to require something of us; something that we obviously didn’t require of ourselves if we find ourselves needing to repent of a known sin again.  They are going to hold our face up to the mirror and demand we actually take a look even when we would rather refuse.  The opponents of your faith are not going to take it easy on you when they discover what a hypocrite you actually are.  If we want to live in the Spirit there is a mortification process our “body” must undergo.  The reason I submit myself to such a process is as the Apostle Paul says,

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18 (KJV)

The Game Plan by Joe Dallas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is not a bad book.

(view spoiler)[On day nine it talks about setting up an “accountability structure”. Obviously the principle is clear from Scripture and he makes the case well enough using the sports analogy. However, the sample conversation ones partner should have if one fails to stay “sober” during the week, kind of pisses me off. That part makes it seem as if I would be getting someone to hold my hand like I am a little girl. (no offense to little girls) It sounds anything but “pushing” and “challenging”. What happened to all that “pushing” and “getting in your face”, and “yelling” that he talked about earlier in the chapter, using the analogy of working out? Confession should never become painless. What good does it do if it is? (hide spoiler)]

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