It is a matter of routine for our zion, upon the close of a worship service, to open the doors of the church to those who would accept the Lord as their Savior and surrender their lives to Christ. Those who are looking for a church home are also invited to come and join the body. In both cases, it is generally expected that those who accept either invitation would be new faces, persons with which we are not familiar (excluding those we may bring to church in hopes of their acceptance). Consequently, unless new faces are in the church that day, its a sure bet that no one will be approaching, so we'll conclude the invitational hymn, execute the exit procession, recite the benediction, and be on our way. Is there any precedent for or prohibition against a call to discipleship during the opening of the church doors ceremony?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Answers

I don't know what's going on at your church, but we invite visitors into membership during the announcements, as well as when we open the doors....

By the way, many of those "old faces" aren't saved. The call discipleship also applies to them. The word of God never comes back void......

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Rev Harper,

Now I wouldn't go so far as to say who is saved or not, but part of the purpose in the call to discipleship is to give the old faces (as well as new faces) an opportunity to publicly commit-recommit their lives to the Lord. It would also give the church an opportunity to revive (if necessary) the class-leader process by providing a chance for reassignment of members into classes organized as discipleship classes. Just thoughts.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Ron -

The Proclamation of the Gospel is typically viewed as the pinnacle of the worship service. The call to Discipleship represents how we respond to prophecy and truth. Barring the benediction, everything else after this invite is anti-climatic. That being said, what are the theological advantages of having the call to discipleship before the sermon? QED

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Brother Dickens, Greetings,

Agreed, the proclamation of the Gospel is the pinnacle and I wouldn't recommend putting the call to discipleship before the sermon. Rather, include the call after the sermon and after the invitation to those seeking Christ and those who would join the church. The call to discipleship (and all that that means), assuming there would be takers from the pews, could provide a platform for recommitment and a spark for revival.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

I've seen folk come out of the steward board, trustee board, choir, congregation, pulpit, and from outside to get saved when they understand the Gospel. In fact I've had more conversions from the members of my church than from outsiders.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Rev. Paris,

Praise the Lord! Your's is no doubt a unique church among our connection. Surely you would agree that this is not generally the case - that is, to have insiders become 'saved' than 'outsiders?'

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004