An Introspective Blogging Hiatus (Well … Not Really…)

I’m going to take a break from blogging for a while.  I am overwhelmed.  I have to think.  I have to pray.

And I have to fish. Yeah, baby!  Sand between my toes …

Oh, yeah!  Believe ‘dat!

Don’t even try to find me …

 

Altar Call Confusion 2.0

2. This confusion deceives people about their spiritual state. It encourages people to think that they have responded savingly to the gospel in their hearts just because they’ve come forward externally and prayed a prayer at an altar. But this isn’t necessarily true. It simply isn’t the case that just because someone is coming forward after the sermon, they are responding to the gospel in repentance and belief. Hebrews 6 warns that there are those who have not just come forward, but who have “once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come” who, notwithstanding these seemingly convincing proofs, do not enjoy “things that accompany salvation” (Heb 6:4-5, 9; for a historical treatment, see Iain Murray’s Evangelicalism Divided [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2000]). In other words, there is a type of true spiritual experience of the Holy Spirit, a real hearing of the word, and even an observation of the power of God, that is nevertheless not saving. Is this not also the point of the parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20)? External, emotional, and even temporary spiritual movement do not necessarily imply internal conversion. (Paul Alexander- IX Marks)

This observation builds upon the first reason given for avoiding the use of an “altar call.” It speaks to the spiritual issue that is exacerbated by the practice of the “altar call,” the problem of unregerate church members.Alexander’s application of the parable of the Sower is simple, yet insightful. Indeed, this parable does demonstrate that there are external, emotional signs that may indicate salvation, yet which do not stand the test of time, difficulty, and persecution. How many of us know of people who walked in the front door of our church, walked an aisle during an invitation, walked through the baptistery, and within a matter of weeks or months, disappeared from church life? All of us, most likely.

And then there are the ones who remain in church life. Yet he Bible warns us that there are even unsaved people within the organization of the church. In Matthew 7 we read:

²¹“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ ²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

There is a comprehensive theme found within the New Testament regarding those who are truly saved. We see over and over again that the evidence is found in their fruit. Those who are truly redeemed in Christ will persevere to the end.

I fear that there are far too many people touched by Southern Baptist churches who have been confused by this tradition known as the “altar call.” They sincerely believe that they “walked the aisle” those many years ago, were “prayed over” by the preacher, got baptized, and got their “avoid Hell” insurance policy by getting their name on the church roll. Then, slowly but surely, they melted back into the culture of the community and melted away from church life … never to darken the doors again. I know this is true. I have a community full of people who have had such “experiences.”

Instead of bringing clarity and assurance, I fear that this practice fosters confusion and false assurance. It actually makes true evangelism more difficult because, in so many ways, it “inoculates” the multitudes who have done nothing more that “walk the aisle” toward altar and preacher against the true Gospel message.

 

Altar Call Confusion 1.0

1.  The altar call too easily confuses the physical act of “coming forward” (walking an aisle) with the spiritual act of “coming to Christ” (repentance and belief). People are urged to come forward as if that coming forward is the critical element in being converted. But what’s required for salvation isn’t walking an aisle. It’s repentance from sin and belief in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15). Initial repentance and belief – conversion – can happen anywhere, in the pew or in the pub. (Paul Alexander – IX Marks)

 

I quite agree with Alexander’s statement. I have often heard people refer to their reluctance to “walk the aisle,” as if the level of reluctance was directly proportional to the spiritual depth of the decision to “take the walk.” In so many testimonies I have heard people describe how they held onto the back of the pew in front of them … and how it was the gentle nudging of a friend of the sight of a friend walking the aisle that compelled them to “walk the aisle” to Jesus. How many of us have heard people actually refer to their salvation experience with the phrase, “…I walked the aisle?”But how many of our people, especially our young people, have “walked an aisle” as a group exercise?

And what’s more, could this time-honored tradition in Baptist life be confusing works with salvation? Might we be confusing the human work (walking the aisle) with God’s act of salvation? Could the practice of the “altar call” or “invitation” actually be an invitation to some faulty salvation theology?

When I present the Gospel in one of our worship gatherings, I am most careful to explain a biblical understanding of repentance. Often times I will have one of our military men come up and demonstrate an “about face.” And I will explain that God is looking for us to make a turn in our lives from a self-focused life of sin to a Jesus-focused life of obedience … and it’s called repentance. Then I clearly explain the Gospel and faith in Christ. People let me know about their faith decisions on a response card and I follow up with each one personally.

So, what do you think? Could the classic “altar call” actually be confusing the issues of works and grace in salvation? Could it be a symbol of a faulty doctrine of salvation?

 

Altar Call Confusion

We do not regularly practice an altar call at Crossroads Fellowship. Exceptions are few. I will, on occasion, have some sort of “action step” at the end of my message. But it does not involve endless verses of “Just As I Am,” with pleas for people to “walk the aisle” to Jesus. Also, I have a very close friend and former pastor who fills in for me when I am away who insists on having an “invitation” when he preaches for me. I find that our older folk like it and our younger (previously unchurched) folk tend wonder, “What was that about?”

We have sometimes been chastised, “demonized,” and ostracized in Baptist life because of our decision not to have altar call invitations. Indeed, some go so far as to question whether or not we are an actual church because of our lack of a proper “invitation.”

But we do have an invitation … of sorts. Each week I debrief the congregation following my sermon using a response card. I ask people to check the appropriate box on the back of their card to let me know what God is doing in their lives, or to tell me what type of decision they have made. If they cannot find a pre-written response that applies, I encourage them to write me a note on the card. We collect those cards during our offering time and I follow up personally with respondents.

Anyhow … our decision not to do “altar call” invitations was deliberate and strategic. In our early days of planting and organizing the church, we determined that in our target group (adults under 40 with children) he altar call was actually a potential HINDRANCE to a response to the Gospel. We discovered that young people were often terrified by the prospect of walking in front of people, or having to speak in front of a crowd. As we searched the Scriptures, we could find little biblical support for the practice, so we elected not to include it in our regular worship experiences. Instead of an “altar call,” we regard a person’s baptism as their public stand for Christ.

I recently discovered this excellent article on “Altar call Evangelism” by Paul Alexander of 9 Marks. In it he explains nine solid reasons why the altar call should not be practiced. In the coming days I will quote, examine, interact with, and comment on each of these points.

Meanwhile … what about your church? Do you practice an “altar call?” Why? Why not? Do you believe it is biblical? If so, please make your biblical case.

 

Relevant -vs- Biblical: A False Dichotomy?

The following is quoted from the “Education Briefs” feature at Baptist Press, posted September 26.

Keith Eitel, dean of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s school of evangelism and missions, told a chapel audience Sept. 20 that upholding biblical parameters in cross-cultural contexts and maintaining holiness are essential elements to missions and ministry.

Amid the contemporary push for “rushing to relevance,” Eitel said it must be “within biblical boundaries.” Too often, he said, Christians allow the world, rather than Scripture, to take the first step in determining how they communicate the Gospel.

Eitel, a former missionary in Cameroon, Africa, questions “theology on tap,” referencing the practice of a church whose leaders discuss theology while drinking beer at local bars as a form of outreach. “I can commend the desire … to go into places like this [with the Gospel],” he said, “but we are to have boundaries.”

Eitel also shared his shock at hearing of a missionary in Indonesia who bowed to the Hindu god Shiva in order to appear spiritually minded and relevant to the people. “I fear that we may rush to relevance in such a way, with our heart right for the relevance, that we lose the Gospel message in the process,” Eitel said.

Citing 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, Eitel stated, “There are limits that need to be set in place that control our methodologies for engaging the lostness we see in the world.” He noted, for example, the Apostle Paul’s admonition in verse 14 for Christians not to be bound to unbelievers.

The only way to contextualize the Gospel to the culture is by “the word of truth and the power of God,” Eitel said, quoting from 2 Corinthians 6:7.

Reaction: I quite agree with Dr. Eitel. Our efforts at being relevant must be within biblical boundaries. But I must disagree with his description of recent efforts toward relevance as being in a “rush.” Perhaps these efforts seem rushed to some because innovative, relevant efforts at ministry have lagged “behind the curve” for far too long.

I fear that Dr. Eitel’s description of a couple of misguided efforts at relevance may be presenting something of a false dichotomy between true relevance and biblical orthodoxy. Consider his two stated examples: pastors who talks theology over beer in bars and a missionary who bowed before Shiva. Such examples disturb me, as well. But I fear that many traditionalists will consider those two examples and, because of their extreme nature, dismiss efforts to become more “relevant” in our ministries and Gospel presentation outright. The end result, inevitably, is a maintaining of the status quo, and a continued “treading” of ministry “water,” with many of our churches’ methodologies stranded in time in the 1950’s.

Far too many of our churches exist on their insulated “Gospel islands,” and shout at the world to “come over here with us, we love you!” And they expect the people of the world to walk, look, act, and sound like their view/definition of Christians when they walk through the door. Then they wonder why the few who do visit their hallowed halls flee in boredom, seeking something … anything … more “relevant” to their 21st century lives. But they can always find comfort by somehow convincing themselves, “Well, at least we planted a seed…”

The true Gospel compels us to do more. Much more.

The apostle Paul preached the importance of sharing a timely, relevant Gospel. Consider his words:

²⁰To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Cor 9:20-23)

Relevance is not the “enemy” of biblical ministry. Indeed, clearly the only biblical approach to ministry pursues a path of relevance … lest we become more concerned about keeping the blessings of the Gospel to ourselves within our Gospel forts rather than engaging the world on its own turf and “sharing in its blessings.” (v. 23)

Let us not cast off an entire Gospel effort and movement simply because of a handful of examples of misguided efforts or attempts gone awry.

 

Can They Do That?!!

NewSpring Church, a rapidly growing Southern Baptist church in Anderson, South Carolina, recently hosted a baptism “tailgate party” on their parking lot. They set up three above-ground swimming pools and invited everyone to come before the baptism and “party on the parking lot.” People showed up with RV’s, lawn chairs, and cooking tents. many watched football games on their TV’s as they cooked and awaited the beginning of the baptism service. People shared the fruits of their grills. It was, apparently, a very festive, gala atmosphere.

Then they began to baptize. It took six staff ministers 90 minutes to … get this … baptize 562 people! Approximately 800 people had accepted Christ during a recent sermon series preached by senior pastor Perry Noble.

But … wait a minute … aren’t we supposed to hide within the “inner sanctums” of our churches to baptize? Aren’t we supposed to gather quietly on a Sunday evening, turn down all the lights, fire up a little background organ music, and shine a spotlight on the people being baptized?

I think not. I like NewSpring’s approach. Let’s shine our baptism “spotlights” on Jesus … in public … for the whole world to see.

Can they do that? You bet they can!

May all of our churches truly celebrate baptism!

You can read the whole story here.

 

Pretty Cool … Publication Day

Recently I was approached by the leader at the Daily Sportsmen’s Devotional subscription and web site to become a guest author.  This status involves writing six or more original devotions to be published by this daily network.

Well, my first one is up today.  I am very excited.  They even used my original picture with it.  (Those are my initials under the picture and under the “thoughts” section!)  Check it out here.  You can subscribe to receive these daily devotions by e-mail here.

Enjoy!

 

A Courageous Stand of Faith on Survivor China

Pretty much everyone knows I am a Survivor fan. Not that it is a “perfect” or even a wholesome program, by any measure. I simply like watching how the show brings out true human nature. It shows the depths to which people will sink in the name of the almighty dollar.

I’ve come to expect a steady diet of religious “fruit salad” on Survivor. But I think this latest edition, filmed in China, will top them all.

The opening scene involved what host Jeff Probst called a “welcome ceremony” in a Buddhist temple. But that “welcome ceremony” included a plethora of religious symbols and movements … prayerful hands, bowing, and reverence. It was, quite obviously, a Buddhist religious observance.

My hat goes off to contestant Leslie Nease. This 38-year-old follower of Christ from South Carolina got up and walked out of the building. When confronted by the host about her actions, she said (paraphrasing … as best I can remember) “I’m not a religious person, but I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the commands of the Bible is to not bow down to any other gods. If I’m going to put my face on the floor, it will only be for Jesus. I’m sorry, but that felt like worship to me.”

Kudos to this courageous wife and mother of four. She has, most likely, put a huge “religious freak” target on her back, and it may hurt her standing in the game. But what an awesome stand for Christ in front of, literally, millions of people worldwide!

If only all believers could have that type of courage!

 

Are Baptists the Only “Great Commission Christians?”

I’ve been a bit behind on my reading and blogging lately. I have put a lot of effort into getting sbc IMPACT! up and running. I think it has gone extremely well, and invite you to visit and get involved in the conversations there.

But I came across a couple of comments over on fellow SBC IMPACT! blogger David Rogers’ blog. He has had an ongoing exchange with Dr. Malcolm Yarnell, a professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Here are the comments that really got my attention:

The problem in postmodern missionary practice in the Southern Baptist Convention is largely due to the unwillingness to maintain the beliefs that our biblicist forefathers held in this matter. In other words, David, let us be clear that on the basis of the long-standing Baptist interpretation of the Great Commission, the following groups specifically do not qualify to be called Great Commission Christians: Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians (and other Reformed Churches), Non-Baptist Congregationalists, Quakers, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Assemblies of God. I will not provide an exhaustive list, for that would require a dictionary, but suffice it to say that any other Christian group that believes or practices what these Christian denominations distinctively believe and practice may not be legitimately classified as Great Commission Christians, even if some of them may be classified as “evangelicals.”

The reasons that these Christian churches do not deserve to be classified as Great Commission Christians are that they violate Christ’s will in one or more of these three ways: 1) They do not obey the entirety of the Great Commission. 2) They do not follow the order of the Great Commission. Specifically, many of them place baptism prior to the making of disciples. 3) They do not emphasize the faith delivered by our Lord, but add other requirements. For instance, some of them elevate or transform the gifts of speaking in tongues or of healing, and then seek to sway other Christians to their unbiblical positions.

 

He then makes this statement:

The errors of these other Christian churches are why some Baptists are more than willing to refer to them as “unrepentant sinners.”

My Reaction: I suppose I just didn’t realize that the vast number of my friends who attend non-Southern Baptist Churches are “unrepentant sinners” simply because of their church membership. Are these truly the views of Southern Baptists? Do we really believe that our Methodist and Presbyterians brothers and sisters in Christ are in a state of “unrepentant sin?” Are we, as Southern Baptists, always “right” about everything?

This is very important to me because my church has entered into a four-year commitment to reach an unreached people group in Peru through the IMB. Will we be forbidden, perhaps in a couple of years, to work with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Assemblies of God, or Church of God of Prophecy congregations that exist nearby? Is this the direction that our IMB is heading?

 

Where Were You?

I’ll never forget where I was that day.  I was Youth Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.  I  arrived at the office early that morning.  Our financial secretary had a TV in her office that was connected to the church’s cable system.  She told me that there had been an accident and some kind of plane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers.

She and I were glued to the TV, watching the coverage.  We saw the second plane hit the other tower in a live shot.  It was then that I knew we were under attack.  As reports rolled in about the Pentagon and other possible attack locations, I knew that life here in the U.S. would never be the same … or so I thought.  I am amazed at how much things have returned to the “same old, same old” of pathetic apathy and party politics.

Our home is near Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, home of the 101st Air Assault Division and Task Force 160, the Special Forces Aviation Group (The “Black Hawk Down” Unit … those guys were based here.)  We have never forgotten the horror of that day, because we have family members constantly engaged in the ongoing battle against those whose Islamic fundamentalism would have them terrorize and dominate the world.  Soon some of our guys will be leaving for their third our in a combat zone in five years.  America, it seems, with it’s short-term memory fixation, wants desperately to forget the events of that day.  But we don’t have such a luxury in the shadow of a major military installation.

Where were you that day?  What were you doing?  What were your thoughts?  How do you feel about it now?