Why don't SDA churches have altar calls at the Sabbath Service?

[Sojourner]

Hello, I have another question that I would like to raise with you,

I have been attending the local SDA church for a few weeks, the church is reasonable large with a number of younger families as well as older people. The format of the meetings is that they begin with some music, they have modern music sometimes hymns but more often Hillsong style music with modern instruments like electric guitars and so on. They take up the offering/s then have a children's story, then the sermon then a hymn to close the meeting and then after some while people are directed out to various areas where bible studies are held.

I have no problem at all with the service, in fact perhaps that is the problem in a way in that the preaching there is very good and God clearly is speaking to people through the ministry of this church, that I don't doubt at all. Yet on one occasion this happened where I really felt the presence of God on the speaker as he preached a sermon about Christians becoming broken before God and taking away the masks and the falsehoods of who they are and getting real with God. It was a very powerful sermon and then they simply thanked the chap for speaking and went on with a hymn to close the service. I was a little bewildered and wondered why SDA's would not then have an invitation to the front of the church for people to have an opportunity to give their lives to Christ or to receive personal prayer for things that are happening in their lives as is the case at many other Armenian styled churches?

If there is never an altar call at the church service, how is it that people become born again into the church? Do SDA's have a focus on "accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour" via prayer, or is it a case of being enrolled into classes for baptism and then once you are baptized that is the moment that you are considered born again?

I find it confusing, because I listen to the rebroadcast of 3ABN and its amazing preaching that demands a response and sometimes you feel like you really want to go along to an SDA meeting to hear more of it, yet then it all seems to fall flat as the closing hymn is sung and people get themselves off to Bible Study?

Please do not think I am trying to be rude or disrespectful to your traditions, because I am not, yet I just do not see how unsaved people fit in with this type of meeting format?

[phkrause]

Good question. First You'll find cards on the back of the pews for non-members and members to fill out, where they can request many different types of services, etc. So even though I agree with you, those things are going on. Many times people are more likely to not want to go up front, regardless if its a altar call or for some other reason. I for one never liked altar calls, always thought people stood up just for show.

[Kevin H]

We have alter calls from time to time. But the offer to accept Jesus is always there. Many of those who are coming to church have already accepted Jesus.

[Tom Wetmore]

I think it varies from one church to another, and even pastors. I don't think there is a prescribed practice that pastors follow. I do know that in the Church where I attend the do regularly make a call at the close of the service. And they always have special opportunity for visitors (consistently at least half of those in attendance are not members) after the service, and the prayer team to pray with anyone that feels such a need. This church leads the conference in baptisms.

[lazarus]

Many churches have them. I did one at my church last Sabbath. Altar calls come in all shapes and sizes across Adventism. Some churches have one every week!

[debbym]

you can pause right now and simply pray, Jesus please come into my life, i give you my heart. and pray this every day, and watch how he will lead and bless you.

there should be a time when you walk out after service and shake the pastors hand, then you tell him you are hearing God speak to your heart, and you would like personal bible studies.

During personal bible studies you can sharing how God is leading you and the pastor will pray with you, and talk and pray with you about giving your life to God. and help you as you find ways to share with others your new relationship with God.

being baptized is a step to take, but it is just the beginning of a new life. Living for Christ before all your friends and family is an amazing experience of witnessing.

It brings joy and blessing to the church family to see Jesus being Honored and loved and obeyed.

i will pray for you that God will continue to speak to you and bless you as you continue to grow in faith and love for God.

[Ted Oplinger]

Many SDA churches do. Some don't.

It really depends more on the pastor of the church, than on anything else. What is more, the same church can go from giving altar calls frequently, to not at all and vice-versa), just with a change in the pastor.

Last Sabbath, we did a choir/drama program in my church...and our pastor gave an altar call at the end of it. He tends to give an altar call about every 6 weeks.

The pastor before him gave one every other service...but the one before that pastor didn't believe in giving altar calls at all.

From no altar calls, to every other service, to every 6 weeks...the same church over a 3 year time frame.

Preaching the Word is the most powerful way to reach the heart...but special programs (where some who don't normally come are not expecting a sermon and altar call) are also a good way to reach guarded hearts.

Many churches have good Bible study and/or Sabbath School outreaches, which bring people in by studying the Word - and are quite successful.

God has many ways to reach the heart...the altar call is but one tool in His repertoire.

Blessings,

[Kevin H]

Also it depends on the congregation, if it is the same 25 people each week...

[Gregory Matthews]

Good answer Tom.

I usually make a call after a baptism.

Once I had just baptized a person, in an Asian country where everything was bilingual and translated.

Prior to the baptism I reviewed the 13 doctrinal standards for membership. Following the baptism I made a call for a commitment to accept Christ and become a SDA. The pastoral staff of the church (all Asian) was dumbfounded at my doing such and even more so when a native of their country made a public commitment.

NOTE: The pastoral staff got right on it.