Does God ONLY move at the Altar?

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Originally Posted by philjones

This is another potential slippery slope... next you will do away with the altar invitation and start just inviting them to meet Jesus right where they are! My My My!

You have 50-60 folks and let us say 8 of them are visitors. So you get the place rocking with a great song services. Folks are already weeping at the presence of God in the place. The preacher does a great job, and the weeping continues with conviction on 4 of the visitors. Someone invites one to the front, but three stay in their seats- hands raised and weeping to God.

Do you interrupt their praying asking them to pray in their seat, or do you say they have to come to the front?

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

You have 50-60 folks and let us say 8 of them are visitors. So you get the place rocking with a great song services. Folks are already weeping at the presence of God in the place. The preacher does a great job, and the weeping continues with conviction on 4 of the visitors. Someone invites one to the front, but three stay in their seats- hands raised and weeping to God.

Do you interrupt their praying asking them to pray in their seat, or do you say they have to come to the front?

BOOMM,

My post was in jest. I apologize as I know that this is a serious topic. I am of the opinion that men/women should find God no matter where they are when the Holy Ghost moves upon them, convicting their hearts and urging them to repent!

That said, I have seen the Spirit move on folks who were glued to their pew with the proverbial white knuckled hands clutching the pew in front of them yet they would not move nor would they pray. Then, for some reason, when they would finally release their death's grip on the pew in front of them and step out into the aisle to start that move to the "altar area" (not many mourner's benches left these days), something would break inside them and the tears of Godly sorrow would begin to flow. This would be the value and benefit of the public confession of need that Bro. Epley spoke of.

I think we simply need to continue to exercise the leading and guiding of the Holy Ghost where eternal destinies are concerned. There are memories I have of God moving upon me in the "altar area" that I am not sure I would have received had I remained in the pew. There are other memories I have of God blessing me between the pews as I worshipped. It is really a God thing anyway and we should just do what ever is necessary to submit to His will and leading and guiding.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

Bro Phil,

No apology needed.

TF Tenney stated "All Direction Comes From The Altar" in one sermon.

Some churches apparently have lost direction- I am curious if we still have an altar in 20th Century Apostolic Pentecost. I was eager after hearing some of the Azusa Celebration preaching to see how other church leaders ended the service. They closed the Bible, simply walked away and left 4000 people hanging.

Not like the bawl your eyes out, then jump and shout joy that seems to be the forgotten norm in our churches.

We have sadly also lost most Altar Workers.

[QueenEsther]

Everytime I have ever had a great touch from God it has always been in my pew. I rarely make it to the alter considering I have 2 kids to tow along, it is easier to just stay in my seat and pray where they can sit or lay in the pew. I hate it that the "church" makes you feel pressured to go to the alter to get your blessings because then I am sitting in my pew feeling like I am doing something wrong because I am not in the alter praying but at my pew instead. But God always lets me know he is there!

[MissBrattified]

Surely no one truly believes that God only moves at the altar? BUT...there is something to be said for making your way to an elder for prayer...for healing or whatever. Some people find it helpful for others to pray with them, or around them; others prefer to pray alone, even in a public setting...so...I say whatever works for you. :-)

I do believe that some people resist going to the altar because they are also resisting God, and perhaps going down and kneeling at the altar is a sign of them letting go of that resistance, but they could certainly submit to him just as well in their pew. Some folks also resist being prayed for by the pastor or elders for the same reason...because they want to stay the way they are, and they are resisting the move of God.

My mother received the Holy Ghost at home, by herself. So did my husband. Both of them were told by overzealous altar workers that they had received the Holy Ghost (when they had not), and since they were too embarrassed to be contradictory, they just approached God privately, and He certainly didn't need a physical church altar to respond.

However, EVERY person needs an "altar"...that is...a place and time to pray and submit to God on a daily basis.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

The asking others to come to the front is a Wesleyian philosophy. Yet, I have heard recently "you should come down to the altar to find God!"

Is God limited to only 10 feet in front of a pulpit, or can he fill "all the house where they are sitting?"

Do you have an altar at church, or only steps to the platform instead of an altar?

Is the altar dated to be abandoned?

I miss good old alter calls. I have had some good times in God and my church family praying, crying and praising God.

It's not place, it's the God in the place.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

We have sadly also lost most Altar Workers.

Sadly bad altar workers have made people hesitate to approach the altar at all.

It's very sensitive work. If you say anything that is not in the direction God is taking that person it can be a huge distraction and hindrance.

Last night, I was to the side in the front next to the drums. Very personal time with God. I don't always need or want someone to pray with me. Sometimes it's just way too personal.

I hope you understand what I am saying.

My husband was very sensitive last night. He could see that our daughter needed him. He held her and let her cry. We just need to be sensitive.

[Esther]

Where is the altar?

Why is there no old fashion altar calls instead of inviting all to come?

Why are the new churches being built without altars?

Boom these are things I have thought of this week as well.

Started to start a similiar thread last week.

[Felicity]

Concerning altar workers.......

I was talking to one of the ladies in our church yesterday morning who has a real touch of God and anointing on her. In fact she and her husband are involved in ministry and are often gone ministering and singing. Very beautiful and talented lady/couple.

I've felt impressed at different times to encourage her that if she feels to go to the altar to work, pray with and minister to people there she needs to know she has the liberty to do that.

Yesterday morning she came to speak with me and so I brought it up and I was so glad I did because she told me that at times she has felt to do that but didn't know if it would be appropriate --- that perhaps we had certain people appointed or do that. I told her that I was giving her the liberty and freedom and that I was certain my husband would have no problem it.

Both she and her husband love to work with people so we'll now have two more altar workers - highly qualified I might add.

[DividedThigh]

i believe the altar is good, and i go regularly just to be there, but god is every where and you can get the holy ghost any where, and touch him anywhere, dt