Altar call

The altar call, also called call for decision or call to decision, is an essential part of the worship of evangelical and charismatic character. Below is an appeal to the worshipers understood to occur after the Sermon on the altar or simply to come from the seating area out the front. Evangelicals understand this as a sign of public decision for the Christian faith to be prayed charismatics as a standby for themselves.

The concept

The older term altar call is more and more replaced by the term call, or call to decision. One of the reasons is the fact that in the liturgical center of many free churches not an altar but rather a communion table and often the pulpit stands. Another reason stems from the fact that many evangelistic events, in which called for the sermon to the decision to take place in profane buildings, tents, or about in sports arenas.

History

The practice of Altarrufs is Charles Grandison Finney generally attributed, who called in the 1830s after his evangelistic sermons for public decision for the Christian faith. Finney had in his evangelistic campaigns each front chairs reserved for those who wanted to join after the sermon out of concern for their souls, " the Lord's side ." These people were then given pastoral care and it was prayed for them. Finney's altar call aimed to bring about a decision, a visible result of evangelism, and he came here to impressive results.

Finney's method was taken up by Samuel Simon Schmucker Lutherans and the camp meetings of the Holiness movement in the second half of the 19th century. For example, in the early days of the Salvation Army those who wanted to go to a new life of faith, called to sit in the first row of seats, where experienced employees - often for hours - Talks on pastoral and practical emergencies were available and prayed with those seeking help.

With slight variations, the custom of Dwight Lyman Moody and many well-known evangelical preachers of the 19th and 20th centuries was taken. The custom was so widespread that even in the 19th century, numerous hymns, the so-called "Altar Call Hymns " emerged, the themed altar-call and that can be found today in the church hymnals of mainline Churches. In traditional evangelical churches these songs are to this day often played as background music to the altar call.

Theologically, the altar call is justified by the confession of sin in (Ps 51.1 to 17 EU), the call to repentance in ( Mk 1,15 EU) or even to the public confession of Jesus in places such as (Mt 10,32 EU).

Middle of the 20th century has made the altar call in the evangelical movement known around the world, giving him the slightly derisive term " fundamentalist sacrament " brought particular Billy Graham. The altar call in the German -speaking world is known by Graham crusades, and also produced some appropriate songs such as " Just as I am I come to you" by Bodo Hoppe.

Today's practice

Even today, the altar call is a frequently encountered element of evangelism events. In addition to the invitation to come to the altar or to the front, occurs in recently increased the request to document the decision of faith by standing or by a show of hands. Other expressions of the decision will also be practiced. In Taizé, for example, people express their life over to Christ, when they lie on the floor in front of the so-called Francis Cross. In the Thomas fair decision willing visitor lighting a candle.

Often the altar call from the initial decision developed for renewed public commitment to Jesus Christ, each of which a considerable portion of the assembled ( and long time faithful ) congregation followed what is now the case with some evangelistic meetings. Even so, the altar call is perceived by different groups of people as important, so distanced from the Church as well as of previously unchurched who were converted to Christianity.

From evangelism aside, the altar call is also common in evangelical youth movements and some non-denominational movements such as the Promise Keepers.

A new variant of Altarrufs originated in the 20th century in the Pentecostal movement, where it is asked to come forward to be prayed for - a practice which is an integral part especially in healing services.

Reinhard Bonnke calls for his Great Gospel according to the occasion to repent, to Spirit baptism or a healing prayer to the front.

In the controversial neocharismatischen Torontosegen movement of the 1990s was called forward to receive the blessing by laying on of hands, making extreme manifestations such as falling, trembling, laughing or even animal noises caused.

Criticism

The practice of Altarrufs found soon after their formation and criticism: it was firmly rejected by Churches Calvinist embossing, who saw it as an illegal from Calvinist view of man 's contribution to his salvation, and Finney designated as heretical representatives of Pelagianism. Also in Lutheranism developed a counter-movement, especially in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the impermissible emotional divine service and dilution saw the grace of God in the altar call.

From Evangelical side, even from people who do not completely reject the altar call, on the other hand argues that he 's conversion, which can be a lengthy process, determines to a certain date, or that it is an unacceptable shortening of the evangelism process by the ritual response is confused on the altar call with sincere repentance.

A major argument against the altar call, which is often brought against mass evangelism in general, is that it often constituted a impulsive emotional decision, which is not permanent.

The practice is also often criticized, especially for the often very emotional atmosphere that can affect the free choice of the individual. A far differentiate broader view is offered in the meantime: The After - Front - Call can possibly be a help when it is clear what function it has: possibility of professing the faith, but not forced, be sure to do this right now.