Re: Alter calls

MrsMyrtle

I grew up going to a Lutheran church, and at every special service, holiday service, or baptism I ever saw, the minister would always put out the call for any new/wannabe members to come up and speak with him and the congregation. Usually no one came up, but all the old people would always turn around and stare up the aisle in anticipation of the Runnin' of the Lutherans.

One Sunday, one of my Confirmation friends decided to be funny and march up the aisle and shake hands with the minister. Minister decided to have a little Bible pop quiz with him, which the kid failed. He had to go home, study his Catechism, and the next Sunday, the minister brought him back up at the end of service for another quiz. I think the old people approved.

vllbabe688

LMAO @ the old people anticipating the Runnin' of the Lutherans xD

zsazsa-stl

I hated, hated, HATED alter calls when I was a kid.  In my sleepy little Methodist church it was usually just a similar thing "If you are interested in dedicated or rededicating your life to Christ today, come to the alter rail during the final hymn or talk to the minister after the service."  No fire or brimstone.  But it still made me feel sick guilty.  Like he was talking just to me and letting everyone there know that I was a bad person for not wanting to go forward.  I don't know why, exactly.  My parents didn't go forward every Sunday.  In fact, no one went forward most of the time.  But I still felt singled out.

GBCK

alter =/= altar.  Just in case that wasn't irony

In the church I grew up (Weslyan, which is *kinda* methodist--inasmuch as John and Charles Wesley founded both.  But Weslyan still clings to 'doctrine of complete sanctification'--which, FTR, is a load of BS, , it was actually usually  not about dedication/being saved/rededication/whatever, it was more of a 'call to prayer'--if something is weighing on your heart, come pray here where you can get support.  (usually involved stress/tears though)

I know my youth pastor at one point (helluva guy--I'm still FB friends w/ his wife) 'promised' us that we'd never have to be up there alone; he'd come up and pray w/ us and support us.
I kow the guy, he ment it in the BEST possible way...(and I liked/like him)
and it made sure I never ever ever ever ever went up for one.