No alters in new churches, but larger stages!

[areyourucky]

Over the years i have been taught the importantace of the alter. But where are they.
We have larger churches, larger stages, electronic screens, 100,000$ sound systems, but i only see alters at old churches any more. What do alters do? why do we not need them any more? When i ask this question, i am told there is not enough room to hold them ?

[Cindy]

Our church has an altar.

[Sam]

From 1992 until 2006 I went to a Vineyard Church here in the Cincinnati area. I used to kid folks there telling them I was the only one who used the term
"Holy Ghost" for "Holy Spirit" and the only one who referred to the area in the front of the stage as an "altar."

The "altar rail" is a carryover from traditional churches where people knelt to receive communion. In some of our churches we used that "altar rail" as a place for people to pray and seek God. Some churches use prayer rooms instead.

I'm kinda schmaltzy about it but I personally like the "altar" as a place to pray.
I love the words and message of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpOhdC131xk

The Altar
by Ray Boltz

The service is nearing an end
The choir is singing "Just As I Am"
And now as that old song is played
People at the altar are kneeling down to pray
Some are finding mercy
Forgiveness for their sin
Some are fighting battles
They’ve been struggling to win
The time has come to give them to the Lord
That’s what this altar is for

That’s what this altar is for
You don’t have to carry those burdens anymore
There’s a light in the darkness
And there’s a love that’s true
And Jesus is waiting
Waiting here for you
Go quickly now before they close the door
That’s what this altar is for

I see a father is praying with his son
Momma kneels beside them
Thanking God they’ve come
There’s an old man standing there in tears
Giving up a part of him
He’s held back for years
Hearts are being broken
Lives are being changed
And those who call on Jesus
They will never be the same
The time has come to give in to the Lord
That’s what this altar is for

That’s what this altar is for
You don’t have to carry those burdens anymore
There’s a light in the darkness
And there’s a love that’s true
And Jesus is waiting
He is waiting here for you
Go quickly now before they close the door

You can give your burdens to the Lord
That’s what this altar is for

[Sam]

I go to a trinity church and we have an altar.
This morning people came to the altar for prayer and people prayed for them and with them.
I placed my hands on a young couple who had come to the altar and I prayed for them.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Sam

I go to a trinity church and we have an altar.
This morning people came to the altar for prayer and people prayed for them and with them.
I placed my hands on a young couple who had come to the altar and I prayed for them.

Don't trinitarians have three alters in church?

[Jaxon]

I too would like to see more alters. I know there is a need for more space.

Long ago I remember seeing the auditoruim at Mark Hamby's church and I really liked the way the prayer room was designed. It was behind the platform, like a semi circle. It seemed like a very inviting configuration. You could come and go easily.

[George]

I believe in keeping altars in the church. There is just something about kneeling at an altar.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Don't trinitarians have three alters in church?

no, one altar.

This past Wednesday I concluded a series on The Name(s) of God that I started before Christmas at our midweek Bible Study. We went through the standard terms for God like El Shaddai and Elohim and how those tell what God is but are not names. Then compound redemptive names, showing each time how those compound redemptive names are fulfilled in Jesus. Then how Yeshua or Yehoshua is YHWH-savior and whatever YHWH was in the OT is found in Jesus in the NT and how Jesus is God's highest name. There were no questions about "trinity" or "persons."

[Sept5SavedTeen]

I always mention when someone brings up the term "altar" either the OT animal sacrifices or Catholicism. They'll say something about the altar, and I'll say, "Well I don't see any blood here, on this one, so it looks like it hasn't been in use lately." Or I'll say, "Where's the tabernacle, host, the bells, the incense and candles, so we have a proper alter?" I don't see a mention of an "altar" in the NT meetinghouses, but I doubt it's a bad thing to go up front to pray or whatever, I don't like the pressure to go up front, though... as if the ground closer to the preacher/pulpit is holier...

-Bro. Alex

[MomOfADramaQn]

An altar can be anywhere - it doesn't have to be in a church.