Reviving the Altar Call

How our contemporary, postmodern worship is positively old fashioned.

Though we’re a contemporary church, we revived the practice of inviting people to the altar. Today’s seekers hunger for spirituality, and witnessing people publicly humbling themselves before God can be a powerful spiritual moment. It’s the kind of experience they are looking for. As long as they don’t feel pressured to participate, they are often moved.

At the end of the service, we provide 10 to 15 minutes for people to come forward for prayer, commitment, or to receive communion. It’s not limited to people who want to come to faith. It’s an opportunity for people to experience a conscious response, to say, “While my heart is still touched, I am going to do something in this assembly.”

I invite them by saying, “You may want to come forward in response to what was said today. You may want to come down to pray for someone. You may come down because you have a job interview tomorrow,” and so on. Human nature keeps some people from coming forward, so we initially present specific things relevant to the sermon and then make a broad appeal.

As the response grew, we built three stations where people can kneel and have someone administer communion to them. Though people come down for many reasons, the practice of communion often makes it easier, because it gives them something tangible to do when they come.

Now at the end of the service we’re encouraging people not only to go vertical, from the seat to the altar, but also horizontal, from one person to another. For example, I may say, “If you know someone who hasn’t been here for weeks because they’re going through chemotherapy, but they found the courage to come today, go and embrace them.”

People who have come to Christ in our church have told me they were inspired not by my words, but by the response of the people to those words. The power of humbly acting on faith, not only for the person who comes forward, but also for the seeker witnessing it, is revolutionizing our church.

—Randy FrazeePantego Bible ChurchFort Worth, Texas

Designing Worship Teamsby Cathy Townley(Abingdon, 2002)

Worship can become more vibrant, church planter Cathy Townley says, when handed from professional worship leaders to groups of passionate, growing amateurs. Her book describes how to disciple and channel postmoderns’ creative energy into transformational worship.

The Complete Worship Leaderby Kevin J. Navarro (Baker, 2001)

Pastor and worship leader Kevin Navarro addresses the hunger for worship that’s more fulfilling than mere music and movement. His book provides a holistic view of growing as a worship leader in four areas: theology, discipleship, artistry, and leadership.

The Worship Workshopby Marcia McFee(Abingdon, 2002)

Call this a “consultant in a box.” Self-assessment tools, discussion guides, and workshop materials in this book can be customized for your worship team’s retreat, seminar, or regular meetings. Includes lessons on history and philosophy of worship, innovative uses for music, planning services, introducing new symbols, and liturgical movement (dance).

—Drew Zahn

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Reviving the Altar Call