Is there a altar in your church? Where did they go?

[ohappyday]

Does anyone know what happen to them. It seems to me that the old fashion down on your knees kind of repentance is much needed today. Just the presence of a alter in a church will turn many around as the Holy Spirit convicts. When I was a child they were called brush arbors and on every church night they were filled with young and old alike, weeping heart felt tears for their selves and others. This would go on for hours, one could just feel the glory in these places. But this was when sin was called sin and hell was preached so hot you could feel the flames leaping at your feet. I believe there place needs to be restored, so repentance can follow. Is there one at your church? If so does people feel free to use it.

[Singlesis]

I miss those days as well. Hard to find anymore, really. Maybe in some of the smaller rural country churches. :noidea
It seems that most (not all) bigger churches today have replaced the altar with a stage on which to perform, rather than worship. :tsk

[bopeep1909]

Ours has more of a stage I guess for the music and worship team. The Lutheran church I used to go to had an alter. Most Catholic churches have and alter. Give me my church anyday:): <><

[roadrunner570]

1st century churches were hidden in people's homes and didn't have altars either.

[bopeep1909]

1st century churches were hidden in people's homes and didn't have altars either.

The house churches in China do not have an altar either.<><

[matheteou]

Does anyone know what happen to them. It seems to me that the old fashion down on your knees kind of repentance is much needed today. Just the presence of a alter in a church will turn many around as the Holy Spirit convicts. When I was a child they were called brush arbors and on every church night they were filled with young and old alike, weeping heart felt tears for their selves and others. This would go on for hours, one could just feel the glory in these places. But this was when sin was called sin and hell was preached so hot you could feel the flames leaping at your feet. I believe there place needs to be restored, so repentance can follow. Is there one at your church? If so does people feel free to use it.But should we preach "hellfire and brimstone" to believers? If so, why? Aren't they saved already? If it is for the unbeliever, how often does the believer have to hear it before hearing one about the rapture or something a bit more edifying than "turn or burn"?

How often should a believer "experience" that old fashion "down on your knees kind of repentance"? Especially if we practice 1 John 1:9?

Just as a side note, we had heart felt tears for friends and loved ones today while praying over them in our school library today because many are leaving for other places of ministry.

[WisdmInTheWorks]

Our church still has an alter and alter calls are still given and the Holy Spirit is still convicting and people are still coming to the alter. Praise the Lord! Nothing like a sinner being saved!

[LuvNTruth]

But should we preach "hellfire and brimstone" to believers? If so, why? Aren't they saved already? If it is for the unbeliever, how often does the believer have to hear it before hearing one about the rapture or something a bit more edifying than "turn or burn"?

How often should a believer "experience" that old fashion "down on your knees kind of repentance"? Especially if we practice 1 John 1:9?

Just as a side note, we had heart felt tears for friends and loved ones today while praying over them in our school library today because many are leaving for other places of ministry.

I agree.

Who needs an altar these days, anyway? Do you have to go to church to pray? No. So then, why do we need altars to kneel at to confess our sins to Jesus and tearfully ask him to forgive us and heal us spiritually? We don't. The Holy Spirit convicts and thank you, Jesus, He doesn't just convict us in church but at home and everywhere else we go as well. My DH wasn't saved in a church but at a friend's house.

I do agree with the fact that worship has gotten to be a bit more.... of a performance. HOWEVER, I also don't want to judge ANY worship team b/c they may, really, be worshipping in their hearts. They are just there for structure and guidance, organizationally, so that the congregation is in one accord musically.

[toddlemom]

The house churches in China do not have an altar either.<><

We got a missions update from activities in China :spy ... and you're right, they don't have an altar. They baptized new believers in a kiddie wading pool, too. So they were more than sprinkled but not exactly immersed. You could just tell by their expressions it was a moving experience for them, though, even though they didn't do it "right" by our church tradition (not in a pond or river, for instance)

Our church has a movable modular altar rail. I suppose since we're in the RV capital of the US we WOULD have a "bump out" altar rail ;):

Do facilities make that much of a difference? Or is that one of our church-ian hang-ups like what kind of music on what instruments? :noidea

[Ajani]

We have an altar and a stage. Well, the altar is referred to as the pulpit, and it's a really nice piece, made by a member of the congregation. The pulpit, the communion table and the cross are all made from rough hewn timber, reclaimed from a salvage yard. The beams are 100+ year old pine from old barns.

I can't say that anyone has been moved to pray anywhere near the altar, at least not deliberately. Prayer near it has happened, just because that's where the people happened to be praying. It's not really an object that we focus on.

A lot of prayer has happened around the cross, though to be honest I don't care for that. But maybe it's a throwback to my discomfort with the idolatry of my Catholic roots.

[aftwine]

McArthur Assembly of God

Altar call after every service, there is nothing like going down there and spending a few tears on God.

[alrdyreg]

Ours has more of a stage I guess for the music and worship team. The Lutheran church I used to go to had an alter. Most Catholic churches have and alter.

well we have a small stage as well (we have a small church hehe) we call it an alter. it has some steps to kneel down at and pray. we have whats called alter calls. you dont need a traditional alter in a church. when Jesus was preaching He didnt have an alter like we know it.

and as another post stated early churchs in home had no alters.

Give me my church anyday:): <><


yep! :thumb

[alrdyreg]

how has worship gotten to be more of a performace?

david danced before the Lord... why cant we? Bible tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord.. well thats whats being done :):

[Selah]

Does anyone know what happen to them. It seems to me that the old fashion down on your knees kind of repentance is much needed today. Just the presence of a alter in a church will turn many around as the Holy Spirit convicts. When I was a child they were called brush arbors and on every church night they were filled with young and old alike, weeping heart felt tears for their selves and others. This would go on for hours, one could just feel the glory in these places. But this was when sin was called sin and hell was preached so hot you could feel the flames leaping at your feet. I believe there place needs to be restored, so repentance can follow. Is there one at your church? If so does people feel free to use it.

Altars are only old-fashioned back to the Catholic church. :(:

There is nothing at the front of the church that isn't at the back of a church. The veil was torn at the cruxifiction and resurrection--when God chose to live in people's hearts rather than waiting in the Holy of Holies. He lives in us instead now.

There is nothing that an altar can offer anyone--except for a distraction from the Lord. :(:

Just the presence of a alter in a church will turn many around as the Holy Spirit convicts.

And the comment above really disturbed me.

The Holy Spirit does not use an altar to convict people.

[Singlesis]

I think the real issue is the absence of heart-felt prayer time, going down front to get on your knees or face to pray. True, we can do that anywhere. But there is just something special / meaningful for believers to go down together and kneel. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it until I visited a small church that still practiced this. It's not just for salvation decisions... anyone can come down and pray... for themselves, for each other, for unsaved loved ones... whatever.

how has worship gotten to be more of a performace?

david danced before the Lord... why cant we? Bible tells us to make a joyful noise to the Lord.. well thats whats being done
I'm not talking about the congregation dancing, lifting hands, or making a joyful noise. What I'm talking about is NOT the congregation's participation, but rather a stage show, a "performance", of musicians and a few select singers. It's hard to explain, but I'm trying. I LOVE to hear a good soloist, etc. So that's not what I'm talking about either. But some of the churches I have been in, they seem to spotlight either the pastor, or the singers, or whomever, and give them praise, and it's all with special lighting and dynamic musical accompniment (sp)? It's all about prestige and image, trying to out-do the other big church down the road...

I guess I've just been in some services (alot, actually) where it is routine performances, rather than true heart-felt worship. Kind of cold.. guess you'd have to be there. :noidea

[aftwine]

Altars are only old-fashioned back to the Catholic church. :(:

There is nothing at the front of the church that isn't at the back of a church. The veil was torn at the cruxifiction and resurrection--when God chose to live in people's hearts rather than waiting in the Holy of Holies. He lives in us instead now.

There is nothing that an altar can offer anyone--except for a distraction from the Lord. :(:



And the comment above really disturbed me.

The Holy Spirit does not use an altar to convict people.

I'm sorry but an altar call is a chance for you while in God's house to have a meeting place. I understand what you say about the Spirit's within us and by all means you can meet with God anytime, but this is when during fellowship, with your congregation, with the elders of you church, you have an oppurtunity to get down on your knees or not, and do what you might have missed a couple times during the week, which is be in the presence of the Lord. It is not a distraction.

[Selah]

I'm sorry but an altar call is a chance for you while in God's house to have a meeting place. I understand what you say about the Spirit's within us and by all means you can meet with God anytime, but this is when during fellowship, with your congregation, with the elders of you church, you have an oppurtunity to get down on your knees or not, and do what you might have missed a couple times during the week, which is be in the presence of the Lord. It is not a distraction.

I didn't say anything about an altar call. I was talking about an altar. An altar is an object. An altar call is a call to action. They are two separate things. They are not synonymous. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page here in the use of our terminology. If I am simply confused on my denominational lingo, please feel free to correct me. :):

Kneel where you are at. Kneel at your chair. Kneel in the bathroom. Kneel wherever you like. It doesn't matter where you kneel at anymore, because God isn't sitting at the front of the church. Again, the veil was torn.

No, there is nothing an object can offer your faith. And when someone thinks it is a requirement to have an alter--as always, making non-essentials into essentials is a real problem. :sigh

An altar on its own is not a distraction. An altar becomes a distraction when someone says they need one in order to kneel and get right with the Lord. :(:

[Selah]

I think the real issue is the absence of heart-felt prayer time, going down front to get on your knees or face to pray. True, we can do that anywhere. But there is just something special / meaningful for believers to go down together and kneel. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it until I visited a small church that still practiced this. It's not just for salvation decisions... anyone can come down and pray... for themselves, for each other, for unsaved loved ones... whatever.


Sure. I think it is cool to kneel when I am led, too.

Go to the front and kneel! You don't need an altar to do that, right?! :):

[LuvNTruth]

I didn't say anything about an altar call. I was talking about an altar. An altar is an object. An altar call is a call to action. They are two separate things. They are not synonymous. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page here in the use of our terminology. If I am simply confused on my denominational lingo, please feel free to correct me. :):

Kneel where you are at. Kneel at your chair. Kneel in the bathroom. Kneel wherever you like. It doesn't matter where you kneel at anymore, because God isn't sitting at the front of the church. Again, the veil was torn.

No, there is nothing an object can offer your faith. And when someone thinks it is a requirement to have an alter--as always, making non-essentials into essentials is a real problem. :sigh

An altar on its own is not a distraction. An altar becomes a distraction when someone says they need one in order to kneel and get right with the Lord. :(:

I'm right there with you! The presence of the Lord is not only at the altar. That's what I was trying to say earlier as well.

I've been to a church where they had altar calls a couple times in each and every service. I've been to a church where they only had altar calls for certain sermons. I think the more you have an altar call, the less significance it holds. I'm more sincere when it's not every single service and a couple of times at every service.

The church that had altar calls for certain sermons ALWAYS had an invitation to have a relationship with Jesus. At the end of EVERY service, they ALWAYS gave the invitation which I think, IMHO, is much more important than "altar calls".

[Saint Louis]

An altar is a place where an offering or sacrifice is made.

So in a sense, I think you can say Calvary was God's altar. And your altar is your life, laid down in obedience to the word of God.

I think the idea of an "altar" in a church building probably comes from Roman Catholicism, where they believe they are handling the actual flesh and blood of Jesus Christ in what they call the "eucharist".

Now, laying semantics aside, I understand and admire the tradition of having an "altar" in "a church" (also a semantic issue!). How wonderful it is for believers, perhaps moved under the conviction of the Holy Spirit in response to the preaching of the scriptures, to be able to spend time "at the altar" praying humbly before their God.

In our church, we have a platform in the front for the musicians who lead praise songs, and we have a "prayer room" in the back for those who want to pray or seek the Lord in His word some more after services.

Louis

[ohappyday]

when I made the reference to an alter, I meant a place for repentance. It can be done anywhere for sure. I guess my question should have been, is there repentance in your church. Do sinner and saint alike repent. The alter was a vocal point in years gone by. No one worshiped the thing they just knew it was the place where man faced his sin and meet Jesus Christ, it was a place for the old man to die and the new man to be born. Tears came from the heart and one did not get up from their knees until all was right between him and his saviour. Many people think all they need to do to be saved is go to church. They live their lives like they want, doing whatever they want and think all is well. Many are on drugs, into sexual sin and all, and they just simply poof it off by saying no one is perfect. The presence of an alter opens the door for repentance and through repentance comes deliverance from sin. Of course its the Holy Spirit that convicts, But when he convicts, man usually responds with a prayer of repentance. I have seen people come to church for months, sitting in the back, avoiding the front of the church because there was something there, a power, a knowledge that once there, the next step for them was to bow their knee and humble their hearts to God. They were faced with a decision. Rather the decision is to live for Christ are to repent of some sin, to many its the alter where they are drawn, to make peace with God.

[donf]

Is that John McArthur's church? :laugh

McArthur Assembly of God


Blessings,

don


p.s.

I know that he is spelled John MacArthur and that is really isn't him. ;):

[LuvNTruth]

when I made the reference to an alter, I meant a place for repentance. It can be done anywhere for sure. I guess my question should have been, is there repentance in your church. Do sinner and saint alike repent. The alter was a vocal point in years gone by. No one worshiped the thing they just knew it was the place where man faced his sin and meet Jesus Christ, it was a place for the old man to die and the new man to be born. Tears came from the heart and one did not get up from their knees until all was right between him and his saviour. Many people think all they need to do to be saved is go to church. They live their lives like they want, doing whatever they want and think all is well. Many are on drugs, into sexual sin and all, and they just simply poof it off by saying no one is perfect. The presence of an alter opens the door for repentance and through repentance comes deliverance from sin. Of course its the Holy Spirit that convicts, But when he convicts, man usually responds with a prayer of repentance. I have seen people come to church for months, sitting in the back, avoiding the front of the church because there was something there, a power, a knowledge that once there, the next step for them was to bow their knee and humble their hearts to God. They were faced with a decision. Rather the decision is to live for Christ are to repent of some sin, to many its the alter where they are drawn, to make peace with God.

Be careful not to judge those who sit in the back. Just b/c someone isn't going to the front of the church or sitting in the front of the church, doesn't necessarily mean they haven't repented or think the things that you have said about them. I'm the type of person that likes to talk to God in quiet, NOT in front of the whole church. Not b/c I'm prideful but b/c I'm shy and get embarassed just standing in front of people. I'm not ashamed to proclaim Jesus as my Savior but I don't need to go up in front of church, kneel down and ball my eyes out to do it, either. When we accept Christ into our hearts, we are forgiven for ALL past, present and future sins.

I do agree that many people who go to church think going to church makes them a Christian. If you look to the people who are sitting at the front of the church, some of those people have the same attitude. How are you to tell that if no man can see the heart of another? It is by "their Fruit" that we will know them, not by where they are sitting in the church. :):

[julie777]

We have an altar in our church and it is always open to anyone at anytime during the church service if they so desire to pray at the altar. And there is nothing wrong with this at all. I love my church.

[wife]

Just the presence of a alter in a church will turn many around as the Holy Spirit convicts. .

Can you explain what you mean by this? :confused I didn't think the HS needed help.

[markofthebest]

Be careful not to judge those who sit in the back.


They might have two pre-schoolers down the hall, too.....:):

[LuvNTruth]

They might have two pre-schoolers down the hall, too.....:):

EXACTLY!! :nod