tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post1809929099366079078..comments2024-01-29T12:15:35.715-05:00Comments on Practical Worship: The Problem with "The Invitation"CFHusbandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15834715315798433983noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-81183162463763816682010-05-14T19:43:58.418-04:002010-05-14T19:43:58.418-04:00Also, you answer the evangelist's reply by tel...Also, you answer the evangelist's reply by telling him you were led by the Spirit to speak with him about it and we know God doesn't act against himself.josehttp://jackswords.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-42623362308590466342010-05-14T19:42:44.618-04:002010-05-14T19:42:44.618-04:00I wanted to address "really meaning it."...I wanted to address "really meaning it." That emphasis comes from the idea that salvation is something that only happens at the sinner's prayer or some other single point in life. And that's all that really counts I guess, getting people saved. But what if the Gospel isn't just for unbelievers to get saved, but also for believers for their sanctification? Wouldn't that relieve the evangelist's fears of people not meaning it? It might relieve your concerns of people answering altar calls too. <br /><br />You might like "Salvation" by Langston Hughes, who was part of the Harlem Renaissance. It's a short memory piece about an altar call in his youth.<br />http://bit.ly/9xN6f4josehttp://jackswords.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-83880998795174681742010-04-21T15:39:15.839-04:002010-04-21T15:39:15.839-04:00Amen and so sorry he felt he had to respond in tha...Amen and so sorry he felt he had to respond in that manner. <br />Another matter...I think you have met the Smith's, Manteo (Smithellaneous.com) I know they are in your area, could you please give a shout out for prayers as they are struggling right now. Thanks!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17639587133161593445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-21026634384443130672010-03-23T13:30:08.491-04:002010-03-23T13:30:08.491-04:00Thank you for posting this; I have seen this kind ...Thank you for posting this; I have seen this kind of emotional pressure put on people to "fall down" when being ministered to for healing or similar, and it really isn't pretty.<br /><br />While I am quite sure that there is a place for altar calls to enable people to respond to God's invitation, I'm just so thankful that salvation depends on God's grace! We don't have to worry about doing it "right", we just have to say "Yes"!Mrs Redboots (Annabel Smyth)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11270027663691257254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-91352086013267386092010-03-23T11:21:50.405-04:002010-03-23T11:21:50.405-04:00Just and FYI. Here's an email I received toda...Just and FYI. Here's an email I received today from the evangelist. In my email to him, I let him know that I'd be speaking to our youth band about the service.<br /><br />"Sorry to disappoint you on these issues. The Holy Spirit directs my every move so discussing any of these concerns you raise would not be productive. Speaking with "others" about this is disobedience to the Word of God and only promotes gossip. We are to speak to people about this stuff (as you did) and not about people."CFHusbandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15834715315798433983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-17011161066587677032010-03-23T11:05:22.926-04:002010-03-23T11:05:22.926-04:00I know neither this church nor this evangelist. It...I know neither this church nor this evangelist. It seems to me, however, that he is using "his" judgment as to whether these people have really accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That particular judgment is for Jesus alone. I would find this kind of preaching situation uncomfortable and intolerable. Frankly, were I to know this person,I would probably avoid services in which I knew he were doing the preaching.Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03882303629967987731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-49294552838681613902010-03-23T11:04:37.002-04:002010-03-23T11:04:37.002-04:00I was "forced" to accept Jesus into my h...I was "forced" to accept Jesus into my heart when I was 5 years old by my very well-meaning grandmother, who was raising me.<br /><br />She called our Pastor, and told him I was ready to accept the Lord, so of course he came over to our house to speak with me. She had some "vision" in her head of how this was supposed to go, and she insisted that I neel by my bed to pray with the Pastor. She told me what to say in my prayer. I was embarrassed to pray outloud in that setting, and I was scared. <br /><br />Even at 5, I could tell that our Pator was uncomfortable too, and he tried to suggest that maybe I wasn't ready. My grandmother very sternly said, "She is too ready, and she has to be saved before she reaches the age of accountability." I'll never forget it. She was no doubt raised in a church with a Pastor like the one you have described. She felt it was her responsibility to make sure I was saved. I've sat through so many sermons, like the one you've described, that I can't count them. Those experiences kept me away from church for so many years.<br /><br />The youth of your church are so very fortunate to have you to guide them. <br /><br />StaceyJust mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17924805774892240310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-14169652634912165692010-03-23T11:00:39.895-04:002010-03-23T11:00:39.895-04:00When I accepted the invitation, I was with my sist...When I accepted the invitation, I was with my sister (also answering his call) and my youth minister in a private room, there was some talk before hand about what it meant, and we prayed the prayer. My youth minister then left the room encouraging us to talk to God on our own, in private and we did. I think that extra prayer time was what made mine so special. Finding the Lord should be a private thing in your heart, where you have time to talk to him, confess your wrong doings and ask for forgiveness. It should NEVER be done as an altar call, where you basically feel forced or uncomfortable or anything like that. <br /><br />I have been to many events like you described and honestly while I think ministers have good intentions, sometimes they like to show off on what "They can do" and they forget its not their words that do it, its God words. <br />Its not about the number of people you touch, but the quality in doing so. <br /><br />My church does a nice prayer, bow your heads, close eyes, raise your hand or look at the minster for recognition that you are taking Christ into your heart. I spend that time also in quite prayer asking God to touch those in the room in need. We end by praying together out loud. It takes less than 5 mins but those few mins are precious and done in great taste in my opinion.<br /><br />I agree. You need to debrief so to speak your youth. God Bless those who seriously took the call, may they continue to follow his path for them in life. <br /><br />Sorry I am long winded today, just touched on something that has bugged me for some time. I am so glad you blogged about this! --LoriLJRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00136796552019973479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-13241297960028776262010-03-23T09:52:36.853-04:002010-03-23T09:52:36.853-04:00Hey Nate. Just wanted to say that I agree. I think...Hey Nate. Just wanted to say that I agree. I think I remember being asked to stand at our church by your father if we felt that we were at a point in our lives where we needed help from Jesus. I did not feel uncomfrtable at all,but I know if I was asked to walk up in front of the church I most likely would not have. I could not imagine being a young student and doing that. Like you said it would turn more into a peer pressure situation. Also as being a new or baby Christian you can correct me if I am wrong but I thought by accepting Jesus in my life was just the begining of a long process to get as close to giving my whole heart to Jesus. I also just wanted to thank you and your family for helping me to take that first step. There is something special about Nags Head Church.Jeff Wasneskynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-77568609973668399122010-03-23T08:59:22.092-04:002010-03-23T08:59:22.092-04:00Well said Nathan, I had something like this happen...Well said Nathan, I had something like this happen to me when I was a small child and it actually scared me to death. <br /><br />This is a big turn-off to kids who do not understand Jesus and may truly want to learn more about Him/accept Him into their lives. <br /><br />I am so glad to be a partner of Nags Head Church, your dad has a special way of preaching the gospel without putting anyone in an uncomfortable position.Virginia S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-58075846183248612962010-03-23T00:03:18.403-04:002010-03-23T00:03:18.403-04:00I totally agree with what you said and how you sai...I totally agree with what you said and how you said it. I never would make a group of people come forward EVER. It makes people uncomfortable, and with junior high/senior high boys..there is always the "you are a chicken if you don't go up dude" boys. Thanks for sharing and for not gossiping while doing it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-59415875989788077382010-03-22T23:47:08.526-04:002010-03-22T23:47:08.526-04:00Amen, to your Dad's last point, Nate. If you&...Amen, to your Dad's last point, Nate. If you're in a position to have that de-briefing in a non-threatening, non-critizing manner, I think it would serve the dual purpose of countering any misconceived messages and supporting those who might have made a decision and were too intimidated/scared/etc. to come forward.Erin A.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-85423204694132217832010-03-22T23:46:42.223-04:002010-03-22T23:46:42.223-04:00@Kristen
I seriously doubt I'm going to hear ...@Kristen<br /><br />I seriously doubt I'm going to hear back from him. I'm guessing he's heard my message before. I'll let you know if I do.CFHusbandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15834715315798433983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-49825377075288535612010-03-22T23:43:28.496-04:002010-03-22T23:43:28.496-04:00Well said!
I'm glad I know people who talk a...Well said! <br />I'm glad I know people who talk about the freedom of grace and not all about the legalism many put into it. <br />Would be interested to hear what your youths think and the guy says in reply to your email...<br />Laters<br />KKristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16697954079600251567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-18487477680165922412010-03-22T23:34:07.739-04:002010-03-22T23:34:07.739-04:00@Rick
Yes, I plan on talking with them next Sunda...@Rick<br /><br />Yes, I plan on talking with them next Sunday.CFHusbandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15834715315798433983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-76587795619329566062010-03-22T23:30:10.737-04:002010-03-22T23:30:10.737-04:00Well said, Nathan!
I think one of the biggest tu...Well said, Nathan! <br /><br />I think one of the biggest turn-offs for kids choosing to follow Christ these days is insensitive, domineering adults who may be VERY well-meaning, but who act like dictators of the faith when that's not what it's about at all. <br /><br />I really admire your (and your church's) commitment to reaching the different generations in relevant ways.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444046667591341655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991013919023520025.post-16319237559504347972010-03-22T23:17:00.763-04:002010-03-22T23:17:00.763-04:00What you witnessed was a practical application of ...What you witnessed was a practical application of a "Gospel" that adds to simple faith in Jesus. It's called "Lordship Salvation" and its evangelists typically use these kinds of exaggerated tactics to get "salvation decisions". <br /><br />Of course, the more "decisions" you can report, the greater your success. <br /><br />You probably noticed I was not in attendance. I knew his theology and even though I would have liked to have heard the band, I didn't want to sit through the sermon with its necessary guilt trip invitation.<br /><br />I hope you and/or Andy will sit down with our kids and debrief them. They don't need to be confused about the freeness and grace of salvation.Rick Lawrensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04472532417528025895noreply@blogger.com