Why Don’t People Respond To Altar Calls?
(Anyone can offer additional ideas or comments by email to altarcall@tolr.org )
This subject has troubled me for years and I started re-thinking the subject after observing a recent, but failed, invitation for altar ministry to a typical audience. Failed? Yes, because it did not produce the intended results. Failed! (I would be more critical of myself if it had been my ministry, but I more interested in understanding what produces effective ministry through perfected preaching than I am in protecting egos, mine included.)
The subject matter surrounded the idea that Jesus, certainly, will return to earth, and that some folk are ready and others need preparation. (Hmm, Why personal preparations are necessary? and What can one do to prepare? might be an interesting series of messages.)
So, I started this brief article to reflect on the problem. I offer just a few ideas that may help us improve our preaching/teaching and thus serve God more effectively. This is my personal quest, but I hope it benefits other ministers, or at least stimulates thought beyond the sad emotions of the moment.
Embarrassment
Nobody wants the other folks to think they actually are not ready for the return of Jesus.
Some are visitors like me and don’t want the others to think….anything about them.
Time to process
Most thinking people need time to work through important questions. Those who don’t think very thoroughly might come down to the altar but the results at the altar will be as superficial as their personal grasp of the subject. Hopefully, those who carefully consider the Word preached will be asking the Lord to show them if they are ready or not. If they hear what I hear, then they will realize that they too are like the church at Laodicea thinking one thing is true and not recognizing their true and deep need. Perhaps a good dose of Revelation 3:14-20 tied to Matthew 25:1-13 would be good prep for a thinking audience.
Of course, one doesn’t want to overpower babes with strong words…or does he?
Foundations already laid or not laid at all….?
“Nobody wants to think they are a ‘bad’ person.” (source unknown) No one wants to think they are lacking in any quality that Jesus might expect of them. My conviction is that each of us has a continuing ‘call’ to be transformed to be just like Jesus in every thought and action….in fact, that would be the result of ‘being lead of the Spirit’ would it not? The foundation is not well laid for this concept in the Body of Christ, I think.
“In Christ?” Most everyone believes that they are ‘In Jesus’ already and this is a black/white issue. Either you are or you are not--In. This is what they have been taught: “Salvation comes to us for believing that Jesus died for our sins and that means that we are ‘In Him.’ The conclusion of this is that since we are saved, then we are in Him, and ready for His return. “There is no need to go to the altar for me.” Of course, being ‘In Him’ is a continuing and dynamic of relationship through the Spirit with Jesus. This is more a developmental idea than a static one and seems to continue until we all come to the ‘measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’ that is clearly set as a standard and an objective in Eph. 4:13.
Consequently, Christians will surprised to learn that being in Him actually requires them to know Him and to be transformed by the relationship. His response to the five excluded virgins was, “I never knew you” showing the need for genuine, two way, relationship.
The invitation or altar call might not be set up properly.
I had to learn the hard way that people can be slow to respond to a message that they are not ready for. So, I learned to tell them there would be an altar call up front and tell why they needed to respond. Then the task, for me, was to build my case in a convincing way and if I did, the results were better than when I offered a “SURPRISE!” Setting the stage in advance and giving the adequate reasoning seemed to help my presentations and stimulated the people to respond.
Denial
Everyone is in denial to one degree or another. My role as a preacher, if I am aware enough, is to convict the people even of their denial of spiritual reality. Of course, people will deny that they are in denial and be stubborn in not seeing their own needs. I assume now that everyone will deny their personal need when it comes to sanctification and holiness. The church has bought into the idea of 'I'm okay and you're okay' which is pop psychology rather than Biblical in origin.
Ignorance
If I were to ask the average Christian, those people in the pews, if they would be included in the virgins of Matthew 25 who were admitted to the wedding, most would not know for sure but would answer that they would be admitted or at least that they hope so. Ignorance? Yup. Most Christians, including ministers, would not be able to make any distinctions between the accepted group and the rejected group except for the unexplained oil. (it seems clear that all ten are Church members and half of them were excluded.)
It easy enough to point the finger at failure all around but it would be better for us ministers if we could/would recognize the needs of this hour and provide the Truth for our people. On the one hand, we might decide to get into a foundational Bible course which connects some of these dots for the people. On the other hand, it seems reasonable for church members, independently, to study and develop their understanding of growth and maturity (so as to be transformed and to possess the ‘oil’ required) We too must ask, “What is my responsibility, Lord?” , and have a close enough relationship ourselves that we hear and receive His instruction and correction.
For me, it is part of the never ending challenge of having the Word of the Lord for a particular group at a particular time and getting it across to them in such a way that they can receive it and also respond in a way that changes their lives.
Tough stuff to do well.
Summary
Jesus had a tough time with altar calls himself. He would speak and offer discipleship and almost no one would follow him. He would heal and deliver miracles to thousands but few wanted to relate to him in a way that would transform their spiritual character. Jesus said that, “I only do what I see my Father doing and I only say what I hear Him saying” (my paraphrase). And the preacher had it right when he spoke to the Lord and said ‘I have done my part’, but without any response what ever from the audience. The audience missed an opportunity, but did the preacher do all he could do as a servant of the Most High? I know that we all ask this of ourselves from time to time. However, we must not allow ourselves to sink into despair or defeat if an audience doesn’t ‘get it.’ That’s is why we refine our presentations and patiently persevere.