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The altar call is an appeal in which the speaker invites attendees to come forward as a way of acknowledging their decision to follow Christ. Many consider Charles Finney (1792-1875) to be the founder of the altar call even though early Methodist used a similar approach known as the "mourners bench." I have had the privilege of working on the field at large stadium events where altar calls have been given, and I have also offered many appeals to come forward as well, primarily in the early years of my ministry. Let me begin by saying that anytime we give...

The invitation system is a modern evangelism innovation… 1. …without scriptural warrant. 2. …that is faulty and dangerous. 3. …that has created a new, unbiblical vocabulary (i.e., “repentance and faith” have been replaced with “decide for Christ,” “ask Jesus into your heart,” “Give your heart to Jesus,” “first-time decisions,” etc.) 4. …not practiced by the church until about 150 years ago. * It was begun by Charles Finney who believed conversion was a psychological event and used this “anxious seat” to replace the purpose of baptism. * It was popularized by Dwight L. Moody. * It was standardized by Billy...

A well known Oklahoma pastor was attacked Sunday while giving the alter call at his church. Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa was almost knocked out when 50-year-old Steven Rogers walked forward and punched him during the time when people were joining the church. As the music played, without warning, the man punched Daugherty in the face. Before he could land a knockout blow, he was yanked away. With blood pouring down his face, Daugherty kept on preaching and forgiving. Rogers was hauled off to jail after allegedly hitting two more people, including a security guard....

Introduction It would be all but impossible to give an accurate description of the modern evangelical church without mention of the invitation system, or the 'altar call,' as it is called. The altar call is a custom in virtually all Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Wesleyan, Pentecostal, and Charismatic circles. Immediately following the sermon the congregation will sing a hymn during which the preacher calls men and women to walk to the front of the auditorium (the 'altar') to make a public decision to 'accept Christ.' Salvation is offered to all who will but come to the front and take it. Those who...

Britney Spears responds to altar callSinger, mother reportedly cry, hug during emotional church service Posted: February 10, 20049:29 a.m. Eastern © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com Pop singer Britney Spears has reportedly attended a church service where she and her mother cried, hugged and responded to an altar call. According to a report in Scottish newspaper the Daily Record, Spears and her mom, Lynne, stopped by the service at the Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, on the way to a photo-shoot. The 22-year-old singer and her mother hugged one another and cried "as they got caught up in the highly...