Who peeks during the altar call?

I know I used to!

I used to like to see who all the dupes in the crowd were. I once brought my secular girlfriend to church with me, much to my chagrin, only to peek and see her raise her hand during the altar call! I called it quits shortly thereafter.

Is eyes-closed the normal practice? In the church of my youth they had altar calls, but there were never any instructions to close the eyes, and as far as I can recall, nobody did close their eyes.

What's an altar call?

I'm usually too busy chasing junior around the pews.

What's an alter call?

RTH

The preacher in some denominations will wrap up his message and then ask people in the congregation to come forward to kneel at the altar (spelled with an 'a,' as opposed to a different word spelled with an 'e'😉 to be prayed for face-to-face.

Originally posted by Paul Dirac
The preacher in some denominations will wrap up his message and then ask people in the congregation to come forward to kneel at the altar (spelled with an 'a,' as opposed to a different word spelled with an 'e'😉 to be prayed for face-to-face.

Ah, that is what that is.
Got me some oil last Sunday.

Originally posted by Paul Dirac
Is eyes-closed the normal practice? In the church of my youth they had altar calls, but there were never any instructions to close the eyes, and as far as I can recall, nobody did close their eyes.

They only did eyes closed (And I quote "with every head bowed and every eye closed..."😉 to make those were perhaps to shy or timid to admit their sins in public more confortable. The Pastor would then ask if there was anyone in the congregation who was not a Christian but wanted to be one to raise their hand. Then the whole church would pray some kind of salvation prayer and bingo bango -- you're saved!

Originally posted by darvlay
They only did eyes closed (And I quote "with every head bowed and every eye closed..."😉 to make those were perhaps to shy or timid to admit their sins in public more confortable. The Pastor would then ask if there was anyone in the congregation who was not a Christian but wanted to be one to raise their hand. Then the whole church would pray some kind of salvation prayer and bingo bango -- you're saved!

I think that is a stupid thing to do, every head bowed, every eye
closed. Never did Jesus do that, it was follow me or don't. People
are attempting to make the choice painless, when God says count
the cost do it or don't. People die for their faith and preachers
are worried peer pressure will keep someone from a choice in a
church service full of people supposedly the faithful. What happens
outside the church walls when someone will attack, poke fun at
them and so on? Seeds need to planted a little deeper than that
in my opinion.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
I think that is a stupid thing to do, every head bowed, every eye
closed. Never did Jesus do that, it was follow me or don't. People
are attempting to make the choice painless, when God says count
the cost do it or don't. People die for their faith and preachers
are worried peer pressure will keep someone from a choice in a
church service full of peo ...[text shortened]... e fun at
them and so on? Seeds need to planted a little deeper than that
in my opinion.
Kelly

I agree. Ridiculously stupid. For the same reason you state.

I always thought it was a personal thing between me and Jesus.
I guess I don't need no pryin eyes.
Aint nobodies business but my own.
That is how we come to Jesus in the end.
All alone.
Maybe that is the reason.

RTH

Originally posted by Ringtailhunter
I always thought it was a personal thing between me and Jesus.
I guess I don't need no pryin eyes.
Aint nobodies business but my own.
That is how we come to Jesus in the end.
All alone.
Maybe that is the reason.

RTH

There was never an Alter call in scripture the way it was described,
there were times people were called to choose, but it was always
public with a price or cost. I believe I read this years ago that the
practice started just a few hundred years ago.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
There was never an Alter call in scripture the way it was described,
there were times people were called to choose, but it was always
public with a price or cost. I believe I read this years ago that the
practice started just a few hundred years ago.
Kelly

I guess that I alway thought that it was a ceramony to relive the experience of having the hand of Jesus lain upon you.
When I close my eyes it is not the preist in the room or noone else but Him.

I guess everyone has a different thing. I don't think about it too much though.

RTh