See #25. I don’t think the point at which they come forward is the point at which any dishonesty happens. If someone else moving forward helps them overcome embarrassment or stubbornness or whatever, that is pretty much OK by me.
I don’t really see how it’s different than my encouraging them not to be embarrassed.
And of course as a Reformed Christian we don’t put much stock in walking the aisle to make a profession. Nor are we aline in that. Why? For the very reasons we see in this thread. Sure there are some number of true converts, but those who are coming forward our of peer pressure may be coming down the aisle for that reason alone.
What it gets down to is the purity of motive of the pastor. If the pastor’s motive is pure, mistakes will cause little or no harm.
For example, one very powerful mind control technique is to split the males and females into two separate sides of the church. It is done in many religions including Buddhist, Jewish Christian, Hindu, and I am sure many others. Just as Paul mentions that husband and wife become one, the group consciousness becomes one and forces conformity to all who enter the group. The group becomes “One.” The group is then focused upon the leader who steers them in any direction. The direction could be good or bad. The technique works in both directions just as a surgical knife can save lives or take them.
It doesn't seem as if "coming forward" is a commitment, but rather only a step toward a confession of faith, baptism, or membership in a church. From that point, it's up to the leadership of the congregation to exercise good will and good judgment.
I think that's what you were saying ...
I would not have an issue with it if this was done with full disclosre to the rest of the congregation.
You know, this can also work the other way. Some times in these situation when people see others move forward, they feel pressured to do the same without any sincere motivation to do it. Again, I have seen this happen to people who don’t feel lead to go down to the altar. They are even looked down on for not joining in.