Inks (and whoever else): What's an "altar call"?

baconsmom

? Never heard this term before. 

ReturnOfKuus

I don't think it's a Catholic thing.  Maybe some other kind of Christianity?

notamrs

An invitation at the end of the service for folks to come up and "get saved" - definitely not something that needs to happen at a wedding, IMHO.

zsazsa-stl

Ditto notamrs.

MeganAngela

Do people actually do altar calls at a wedding?  At church service on Sunday, sure, but a wedding?  That is not the place for an altar call.  Even the thought of a couple doing that at their wedding icks me out.

InksWell

 Protestant, although Catholic missionaries would likely do it, too.
It's when a preacher/speaker invites people (usually to come to the altar or wherever they are) to come an "accepting Jesus into their lives" or "be saved" or whatever jargon you want to use. Usually there's praying out loud, It's supposed to be a transformative moment. To be honest, it's a little old fashioned.

baconsmom

Holy cannoli. 

And no, definitely not a Catholic/Lutheran/Episcopalian thing. I don't hink missionaries would do it: it takes months of study to work toward your baptism/confirmation as an adult in the Catholic Church. And there are specific behaviors you need to know and follow to be near the altar, as well. 

Butter Cookie

I have never seen this at a wedding, but I've seen it at every Baptist church service I've ever been to.

arbolita

I wouldn't consider this to be old fashioned, but I definitely don't think it has a place at a wedding. 

InksWell

Yes. Sometimes they do have them at weddings. Sometimes pastors say "and I know Inks and Mr. Inks would consider it a great honor if they knew their wedding brought a lost soul to Jesus".

ReturnOfKuus

Holy cow.  No, Catholics don't save people like that.

MeganAngela

Yeah, I was going to say that I experienced this a lot at churches I went to growing up.  Especially those that are Baptist or Church of God.

InksWell

Well, I'm thinking specifically of third world missions situations as far as Catholicism goes. They still have to be confirmed but theres a kind of an "alter call" to attract people to the first steps of becoming a member. And "alter call" is the term- but there doesn't really have to be an altar involved. I went with Benedictines from Immaculate Conception in MO to Cote D'Ivoire in college and saw them do it in a public square. They called the natives forward to accept a blessing of some sort. Then they leave someone there to form a church and confirm the natives who want to convert (very simple example, i know there is more involved).

GBCK

I've seen 'em at weddings.
and funerals.  It's the literal 'come to jesus' moment.  Accompanied by "bringing in the sheaves' or whatever.

Cant_wait!

Pentecostals have them at EVERY service. Everyone goes up front to speak in tongues and compare who is more charasmatic.
Even I have never seen one at a wedding, though.