I couldn’t help but see this as a failure; after all, what kind of youth worker presents an altar call that not even God can speak to people through? I was determined that I would not let this stop me. My youth group was planning a Disney-themed sleepover in our youth centre, after our Friday night group. With such extended time with these young people (75 per cent of whom weren’t Christians), my team and I could give some great input. At certain points throughout the evening, we would present each of the ‘four points’ in turn, along with a great object-lesson illustration or video. After number four we would offer a chance for people to decide to live for God.
On the night itself, I asked the group to close their eyes and then raise their hands (a classic technique) if they wanted to stop living selfishly for themselves and instead choose the better way. Two of my young people (one boy and one girl) raised their hands; not the revival I had been praying for, but an exciting moment nonetheless. I told them that we had a little goody bag to give them and I said that one of my team and I would love to pray a prayer with them about this. At this point the girl quickly darted off to the toilets to avoid such a fate and I, along with my helper, went to pray with the boy. Before we got very far with the prayer it became apparent that communication during the call had broken down; the boy was all for ‘anti-selfishness’ but wasn’t in a place to be ‘pro-Jesus’. I told him I was proud he didn’t just go along with the prayer while not really meaning it, gave him a bag and encouraged him to read the condensed New Testament and that we’d take the opportunity to chat about his thoughts on it again soon.
In the following week I received communications from the boy’s father, a Jewish man, who was not pleased. I invited the father to an informal sit-down meeting. We had an amicable discussion that highlighted his displeasures: evangelistic teaching at a Disney-themed sleepover, which was only very vaguely alluded to in the permission letter; the suggestion that everyone is bad and selfish until they know Christ; and that to present such an appeal in the context of enjoyable films and games was manipulative and playing on the sense of euphoria such things elicit. We agreed that a greater transparency in the future would allay his concerns as he would have a clearer idea about what was happening.
Currently, I and my team are preparing to launch a new optional session after our Friday night youth club where we will worship, pray and respond to God. There is no mistaking what this session is about. From a man who has had no success in this area, I have learnt many ways not to conduct an altar call, and I would suggest you would consider the following suggestions if planning to do one:
Be clear
I have often tried to use ‘accessible’ language in my altar calls. It’s all very well saying ‘living for yourself’ instead of ‘sin’ but clarity must be king. If they’re willing to give their lives to Jesus, your wording is not going to change that one way or the other.
Stop the music
I know we all like a reflective atmosphere in which young people can make such an important life decision; however, why not ditch the background synths and have some quiet time? I’m no fan of awkward, pressurising silences, but it needn’t be like that. Without music we can dismiss some claims of emotional manipulation that may come our way.
Follow-up
If people have responded to the call you have given, that’s great, but let’s be careful not to leave it there. Following up with these young people will not only help cement and encourage those who are earnestly trying to live it out, but it will also allow you to connect with those who responded to the call ‘in the moment’ but now aren’t so sure. Whatever the outcome it will help prevent people disappearing out of the shame of making statements they are now uncertain about, and will allow you to help them on their journey rather than lose contact with them altogether.
Overshadowing
I love an altar-call response as it marks a definite and concrete time when someone’s life changes, and is a really beautiful moment. But is there another way? Looking back at my own journey, I cannot remember one moment when I gave my life to God. I had always believed in God, but belief is not the same as giving your life over to God. As my knowledge of God and his ways grew, his influence over my life and character grew; it was a gradual process that saw God penetrate more and more areas of my life. The process involved many repentances and commitments, the same things that occur in an altar-call response. So don’t be discouraged if your call does not get much response. The best you can do is walk alongside young people on their journey day-by-day.
Through you, not by you
You are presenting God’s offer of salvation, so do it to the best of your abilities (it deserves that much) but, when all is said and done, it is God who touches people’s hearts: the fruit is not down to us.
Rob Finch is the youth minister for the Lantern Church in Dorset and a MA student at Moorlands College.
