Does your Methodist church have an altar call?

[FR0G]

I'm considering checking out a nearby Free Methodist church, and this is just something I wonder about...

[Dark_Lite]

The heck is an altar call...?

[HeatherJay]

The heck is an altar call...?
LOL :D It's an invitation for the congregation to come kneel around the altar for prayer.

The UMC that I attended didn't have altar calls, but during the closing prayer the altar was open to anyone who wished to come and kneel. It was more of an unspoken understanding, though...I don't think I ever heard the preacher invite people forward, but people did go on occassion.

[ChristianTeen]

We do at least occasionally. I go to a Free Methodist Church.

[herev]

United Methodist pastor here, we always have the altar open, but occasionally offer altar calls

[keveys]

The Free Methodist Church does have an altar call depending on the mood of the congreation. But I know no one will stop you from going to the altar anytime you want too.

[HeatherJay]

Hi keveys. :) Welcome to CF and also to Wesley's Parish.

[elanor]

Yes, welcome keveys! :)

I'm in the UMC now, but have in the past attended other denominations. "Altar calls" in our congregation just mean an invitation to come to an open altar to pray. We have these on occasion, usually on communion Sundays. However in the Baptist churches I used to attend, an altar call generally meant a call to come forward and accept Christ or rededicate your life. It was very specific. Those we do not have in the UMC church I attend. Someone will, however, always be happy to pray with you.

[AngelAmidala]

I go to a United Methodist Church, and we have an altar call every service. :)

My pastor will also go down and pray with those who come to the altar, if they wish.

[katieroo271]

In my church (UMC) it is a part of our service to recieve prayer, for what ever you need. There is usually a time for anyone who wants prayer to go up front, and have a member of the prayer team pray with them. Also on sunday night we have "concert of prayer" which is devoted to receiving prayer, and praying for other needs. Then again my church isn't typical methodist church. I don't know what most methodist churches do.

[overnight]

My UMC does not even reall have an alter. It is also a very conservative church and I have seen the alter set up one time and that was for a special service. However, we are planning a tent revival in September and will have I pray a huge alter call.

[wvmtnkid]

Maybe it depends on the pastor. Our last pastor had an alter call every service at the end of the service. Our current one just does one occasionally. But, it is a unspoken practice to know at my church that the alter is open for prayer during the last hymn, whether there is a specific call or not. Personally, I like the invitation. I think it helps particularly if you have guests or perhaps those who might be a little shy about coming forward.

[kelco]

Our Pastor has an altar call most every Sunday, usually during the last hymn. I'm with wvmtnkid, I like the invitation. I think it makes it more personal and eaiser to for those who might be a little hesitant to kneel before a crowd.

[katieroo271]

i agree. I think more people are willing to go forwared if they are invited. I know i would feel more comfortable.

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

The kneeling rail is open every Sunday during our prayer for people to come to. We don't have people come and pray with them though. It's a just you and God sort of thing. I've gone several times when I'm struggling with specific issues. (This is United Methodost by the way.)

Haha, I went to a big teen revival (non-denominational) and they said people could come forward if they felt the urge, and I went because I was struggling with a specific story I was working on. Well, afterwards, they rounded up everybody who came forward and had us write down our email so they could send us stuff and they gave us brochurs on what it's like to be a new Christian and stuff. It was kind of funny, since I was already a strong Christian but I just had something specific to pray about! Haha.