Pastors, do you train altar workers?

[Evenuntodeath]

While im not a pastor, based on personal experiences, i do believe that people need to be trained in altar working.

Untrained altar workers can cause guests to feel violated. I believe there are also spiritual consequences to using untrained altar workers, but i wont get into that.

[Renee29]

Our Pastor is paticular about laying on off hands and generally only the ministry staff is allowed to do so.

[Esaias]

More from the linked article(s):

"When one or more have come forward to the altar, and the altar call, the pleading, the singing of invitation hymns, the personal urging are all evidently completed, then the real work of the altar begins. At this point I always suggest:

2. Now for earnest prayer. Let the blessed Spirit have full charge. No talking to the seekers, but clear, definite prayer for the present blessing. Let the leader and those workers whom he has chosen to assist in this work, avoid exhorting the seekers to "believe," "give up," "obey God." They have done that the best they know already by coming forward. Pray with them and for them, but, I beg of you, do not talk to them. It confuses their minds; it gives them no intelligent ideas. Lay your hand of love on the shoulder and in earnest prayer plead with God to show them what to do, what is the hindrance, what must be given up, but never make any suggestion yourself as to what you may think is the particular sin for the sinner to forsake, nor the thing the believer must consecrate, which has been kept back. Use Scriptural language, general terms and prayer to God, so as to let the Spirit of God apply the necessary instruction. They did not come forward to talk to you, but to God. So give them a chance. Encourage them to lay hold of the promises in prayer for themselves. In some cases this will be ready, prompt, earnest, and successful. The seeker will pray through speedily and come out clearly shouting, weeping, laughing or rejoicing. But in many and perhaps most of the other cases there will be a struggle. This will usually focalize about two points: consecration or faith."

[The Lemon]

I don't disagree that there needs to be good teaching on praying for folks - at the altar or even their pew.

That said, I do find it puzzling how perplexing something as simple as an altar call can become. If one sows, and another waters - God is the one that gives increase.

Often times I believe that good sincere Christians are trying to give the increase - that is not our job or calling. God gives the Holy Ghost - I can't scream enough in a persons ear - shake them, weep in front of them, or hollar in tongues long enough for them to "get it".

I have been in services like the aforementioned - but I have been to crusades that Billy Cole would preach - and seen many get the Holy Ghost after a prayer of repentance (which he would explain) - without folks "laying hands" on anyone.

I had an old minister tell me we teach, then baptize, then teach some more. Everyone from altar workers to seekers need good teaching before and after an altar call.

[NewbieMisfits]

This is an interesting (slight discouraging) find. The question comes down to this: Was this for an national org. or a private Church / possibly cult?

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by NewbieMisfits

This is an interesting (slight discouraging) find. The question comes down to this: Was this for an national org. or a private Church / possibly cult?

This is a collection of writings from around the turn of the century, from several authors (including I believe William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army) regarding the 'altar service'. The authors were all members of the 'Wesleyan Holiness' movement, which included the Free Methodist churches, the Church of the Nazarene, the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), The Salvation Army, Bible Missionary Church, Wesleyan Church, and many smaller groups as well as independent churches.

Why is this 'slightly discouraging'? And why would you think those churches are 'possibly a cult'?

They are all an outgrowth of the Methodist revivals in the early 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century they represented what Methodism used to be (in the early 19th centuiry before the Methodists became a 'mainline, liberalised, modernized' denomination). It was among the Holiness churches that the 20th century Pentecostal revival broke out. Some holiness churches accepted the Pentecostal experience, and became known as 'Pentecostal Holiness' churches, but many rejected it, and essentially went into decline over the next 50 years.

Today, most Holiness churches are but a shadow of their former revivalistic selves, not much different than the Methodist churches are.

There is, of course, the Conservative Holiness Movement, which is a recent (last 50 years) attempt to 'conserve' the revivalism, zeal, and intent of the early holiness movement.

[NewbieMisfits]

Originally Posted by Esaias

1. The authors were all members of the 'Wesleyan Holiness' movement, which included the Free Methodist churches, the Church of the Nazarene, the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), The Salvation Army, Bible Missionary Church, Wesleyan Church, and many smaller groups as well as independent churches.

2. Why is this 'slightly discouraging'?

3. And why would you think those churches are 'possibly a cult'?

2. I have not read the article, only what you pasted. From that, one could see it as "business" minded vs. "salvation" minded<?? Not claiming it is, but could be looked at in this manner.

3. If this was for only a single Church, and only if it was business minded, then I could see it being part of instructions for an earlier cult.
Let's face it, there are structures with people in them that might not be a scam for say, but are indeed not a Christian Church.


I'm not being derogatory towards this article, I also agree there should be some "training" for Church members in certain sectors. I'm just being honest in what comes across my misfit mind. peace

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by NewbieMisfits

2. I have not read the article, only what you pasted. From that, one could see it as "business" minded vs. "salvation" minded<?? Not claiming it is, but could be looked at in this manner.

3. If this was for only a single Church, and only if it was business minded, then I could see it being part of instructions for an earlier cult.
Let's face it, there are structures with people in them that might not be a scam for say, but are indeed not a Christian Church.


I'm not being derogatory towards this article, I also agree there should be some "training" for Church members in certain sectors. I'm just being honest in what comes across my misfit mind. peace

Perhaps you have never witnessed a holiness meeting or Pentecostal 'altar service'? The authors are trying to correct many abuses and misguided errors that occur as a result of people having a zeal 'but not according to knowledge'.

If you are not familiar with an altar service then it may indeed seem strange.

I recommend reading the article I linked. It will explain the purpose and mechanism of the altar service (at least from a Wesleyan-Holiness point of view).

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Perhaps you have never witnessed a holiness meeting or Pentecostal 'altar service'? The authors are trying to correct many abuses and misguided errors that occur as a result of people having a zeal 'but not according to knowledge'.

If you are not familiar with an altar service then it may indeed seem strange.

I recommend reading the article I linked. It will explain the purpose and mechanism of the altar service (at least from a Wesleyan-Holiness point of view).

I recommend breath mints for all the altar workers.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

I recommend breath mints for all the altar workers.

And deodorant, too.