Walking the Aisle, Missing the Gospel? Four Cautions About Altar Calls
The final notes of the invitation hymn linger in the air. The preacher stands at the front, arms open wide, calling for decisions, repentance, and rededication. The atmosphere is thick with emotion, and the words “Just as I Am” echo in the background. Church members kneel on the church steps in fervent prayer. For many, this moment—the altar call—is a hallmark of evangelical tradition. It's a scene that stirs powerful memories of personal decisions, spiritual awakenings, or even life-altering commitments. But what if this familiar moment, so deeply ingrained in many churches, deserves a closer look? What if, in its well-intentioned simplicity, it has unintentionally drifted from its biblical moorings? In this article, I will explain why I am hesitant to give altar calls as a part of weekly ministry and think there might be better ways to call for a response to God's Word. I recognize that, for all the cautions I offer regarding it, God has used the altar call for good in many i...
