WHY ARE ALTARS BEING REMOVED FROM OUR CHURCHES?

I was a kid in the 1950’s and a teen in the 1960’s. I grew up attending the New Brighton, PA Free Methodist Church. It was a large church for that time period with an average attendance over 200. They maintained a very large Sunday School attendance by using a vehicle [pun intended] common among churches of that day – repurposed school busses.

Sunday morning was a worship time that focused around the pastor’s message. Sunday evening was considered an evangelistic meeting [it had less than half the attendance of the morning service]. There was more singing in the evening, along with occasional testimonies and special music.

Every Free Methodist Church [as far as I knew] had an altar and used it. People commonly responded to the messages by going forward to pray. Sometimes the pastor would give a special invitation related to his/her message. [At that time there were only a few women pastors, but today there are many!]

When a person responded by coming to the altar, it was not uncommon for others to join them by kneeling beside them – or sometimes even across from them. The pastor would also come and pray with individuals at the altar.

If there was a strong response to the altar – which was common – most people would stay in their seats prayerfully. When the needs presented at the altar were satisfied, it was common for the person to give a testimony about how God had helped them. [This was not mandatory!] Our song leader would usually lead us in singing something appropriate and then the service would end.

At Family Camp every July, the altar was used even more frequently. I have seen the altar filled shoulder-to-shoulder MANY TIMES!  Pastors present would come to pray with members of their church. Mature believers would also assist the many ‘seekers’. The congregation would largely remain seated throughout the prayer time. Testimonies would be given and general rejoicing would take place with occasional outbursts of songs.

I knelt at those altars many times through the maturation process. I initially opened my heart to the Lord at that altar. Tissue boxes were kept near the altar for those who frequently wept out confessions and experienced the forgiveness of God through His Holy Spirit.

While leading churches from 1976 through 2017, I frequently knelt at the altar before the service began. Other committed lay people sometimes did the same. I always served Holy Communion by having the people come forward to receive the elements of the Lord’s Supper. Most knelt for a few moments while they took Communion – and then returned to their seats. Others simply stood to do so, or made their personal altar at their seat. The atmosphere was one of deep gratitude to God and many people reported that the experience was deeply meaningful!

So, that’s why I’m asking the question: Why are altars being removed from our churches?

Debbie and I have been attending an evangelical Presbyterian church for six years now. There is no altar and no opportunity – during worship – to pray with one another in a personal way.

I occasionally have the opportunity to visit other Free Methodist Churches and find that many simply don’t have an altar. Or, if they do, it’s rarely used.

About two months ago, I was struggling with some issues in my life. To be honest, at this point I can’t even remember what they were. However, I remember waking up on a Sunday and wishing that I could pray at an altar. I know that must sound odd to some, but it was deeply ingrained in me that the altar is a place of confession and drawing near to God! I almost went to a neighboring Free Methodist Church that Sunday because of that strong sense of need I was experiencing.

My  initial submission to God took place at the altar when I opened my heart to Him! I made many trips to the altar through my teen years while dealing with the stresses and confusions of adolescence. The campus church – while attending Roberts Wesleyan College - was quite large (attendance of over a thousand at that time). I don’t remember if the altar was used, however, while attending the Asbury Seminary Free Methodist Church in Wilmore, Kentucky – where we lived for three years while attending seminary – the altar was used frequently!

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

I earnestly wonder about this.

Is confidentiality a factor? Is it that we don’t share openly as we might have in decades past? Have we become more private regarding our need of God and the pressures and stresses we may be facing?

Has the church lost passion for God? Do we not seek Him as vigorously as we once did?

Have we become too proud to humble ourselves in public?

Are our services so time-restrained now that we can’t afford to spare time for personal seeking? Large churches have multiple services that are often tightly scheduled and controlled.

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These are honest questions. Perhaps because I’m a retired pastor, I think about this a great deal.

If salvations aren’t happening at the altar anymore, where are they happening? Our denomination is in a cataclysmic decline in membership and attendance. Does the missing [or unused] altar have any connection to this fact?

What was going on a couple of months ago when I felt such a need to pray at an altar? Do others experience this need or desire? I miss kneeling at the altar to receive Holy Communion – even though it was a brief posture change. Does anybody else share these thoughts, longings and questions?

If you have thoughts about this, I’d love to hear from you! I’m active on Facebook. My email is halinasia@psmail.net 

 [Responses on this blog page always show up as 'Anonymous' - which, of course, leaves me wondering who it is? Please direct your thoughts in a way that allows for dialogue.  :-)]

LET'S GO TO GOD'S HOUSE!

It happened just a few weeks ago.  Debbie had been fighting a virus for several weeks.  We chose not to go to church for two consecutive Sundays. However, one of those Sundays I just really had a strong desire to attend a Free Methodist Church.

Why - you ask?

It will sound strange to some, but I just felt a strong desire to step forward and pray at the altar.

Don't leap to conclusions.  I did not step away from God.  I was not guilty of any unusual sins.  It wasn't even guilt that motivated this desire.  If anything, I'd describe it as a longing.  

The church that I currently worship in doesn't have an altar [I notice that many churches have done away with the altar].  It doesn't encourage individual prayer during worship.  We pray collectively together and under the leadership of our pastor, but not person with person or in small groups.  [This does happen in our Sunday School classes.]

I just felt like a child who wanted to sidle up beside a parent for safety and security.  I wanted assurance. I needed to express my dependence on God and enjoy His comfort.  

It's a tradition in worship that I grew up with.  Altar prayer was always welcomed and encouraged in my 'growing-up' church.  It was a common practice for people to slip forward during worship and spend time praying at the altar.  Sometimes a group of people might even go forward and pray together at the altar.  I really miss this.

While leading The Foundery Free Methodist Church [Wellsburg, WV] last year, I was immediately impressed with the high priority for prayer during worship.  Volunteer prayer leaders stood [often couples] at the front sides of the sanctuary throughout the worship time.  People were free to approach these leaders to receive attention and prayer.  There were also two short sections of altar in front of the platform that were frequently used for private prayer.  

A couple of years ago, Debbie and I visited The Rock Church in Poland, Ohio, to hear a former associate give the message.  All throughout the service, people approached the altar alone or in groups to pray.  I went forward a couple of times to pray with people that I knew.  The freedom to pray was obviously a high priority in this congregation - and it is a beautiful thing.

I continually struggle with the highly predictable format for worship seen in so many churches.  These environments must be so awkward and uncomfortable for anyone new who walks in to participate.  

During my leadership years I was a bit of an iconoclast [a person who challenges traditions and formulated patterns].  I believed that by frequently changing forms and structures you could keep interest and engagement high.  I came to resolve that worship was a verb and should activate God's people in animated, meaningful and exciting processes that enabled them to worship God with all their being!  There are so many possibilities: humor, choral readings, spiritual dance, drama, as well as the nearly unlimited advantages available due to technology.  

The desire was to create an atmosphere of expectation and anticipation that caused people to come to worship wondering what to expect this week!  Our hope was to replicate King David's attitude expressed in Psalm 122:1  [New Century Version]

I was happy when they said to me, 'Let's go to the Temple of the LORD.'

We worship the God of all creation!  This God created us with various gifts, abilities, interests and traits.  He created a magnificent and impressive array of animals, birds, and fish.  He created our earth with widely divergent environments.  He gave us sight that is ignited by an explosion of colors from fall leaves, birds feathers, sunrises and sunsets, awe-inspiring scenery, and so much more!  He has given us hearing that allows us to marvel at bird chirping, coyote calls, the ringing of bells, our choice of music, the captivating voices of family and friends, and the sound of rain hitting the trees and the ground.  He has created us in His own image, yet gifted us with unique abilities, interests and talents that make every one of us special!  We delight in the skills, creations and diversions of those who populate our lives!

Consequently, HOW DARE WE PLAN OR ENGAGE IN WORSHIP THAT IS MONOTONOUS, REPETITIVE OR BORING!!!!  We can do better!  

STRUGGLING TO FIT IN

I have often said, “I’ve been attending Free Methodist churches since before I was born!”  I graduated from a Free Methodist college. 

Then, things changed a bit.  I attended a United Methodist seminary for three years.  Next, after having begun my pastoral ministry in the Free Methodist Church, I earned a Master of Divinity degree from a liberal, Presbyterian seminary!  It was a challenging eight years of study as a commuter.  Although the foundations of my faith were repeatedly challenged, I came out strong. 

During these educational years – that didn’t end until my fortieth year – I also acquired a basic unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Pittsburgh Highland Drive Veteran’s Administration Psychiatric Hospital [that’s a mouthful!].  900 hours of supervised chaplain work, verbatims, and small group process!   [And to think:  I paid for this privilege!]

I also participated in a Domus Deo program through the Roman Catholic Church in Pittsburgh.  It was a very beneficial, self-reflection, meditation program that also included a fair amount of small group engagement!

During these early ministry years, I SERIOUSLY considered joining the military chaplaincy!  On three occasions, I inquired and prepared to make the leap into that form of ministry!  I still think it would have been a good fit for me and a place for effective ministry.

Then – having been in ministry for fourteen years, I sensed some gifting in the area of counseling and decided to get a counseling degree.  I acquired that degree after two years of full-time study - while continuing to pastor a growing church - at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, which is a charismatic Catholic community!  I worshipped in that community for two years and made many close and valuable friendships.  Some of the most powerful worship experiences of my life took place on that campus. 

One last reflection:  Over all my years in ministry I participated in the local ministerial associations.  Their corporate services usually focused on Good Friday and Thanksgiving.  I enjoyed working with pastors from many diverse denominations during those years.

WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS?

Because, if you’ve followed me, I’m a bit of a mongrel.  J  I’ve deliberately exposed myself to a diverse field of experiences, leaders and environments. 

And today, I find myself in our fourth year of attending an evangelical Presbyterian church.  Debbie has joined and will soon be ordained as an elder in that church!  Notice:  She’s more deeply involved in leadership here than she ever was in the churches I served  [Of course, she also worked and primarily raised our three kids.]  ;-)

Sorry, if you were looking for something short, you can feel free to bail out now….

Having led Free Methodist churches for nearly forty-three years, I find myself missing certain aspects of ministry that had become very much a part of who I am. 

WHAT ARE THEY, HAL?

1.    I miss altar calls.

I wouldn’t expect everyone to understand this, but I miss what might officially be referred to as a ‘Call to Discipleship’. 

Typically, at the end of the message, a pastor would ‘open the altar for prayer’ and invite people to come in response to the challenge they’ve just received. 

Some Sundays, no one would respond [or the ‘call’ might not even be given].  Other Sundays, a few might respond;  and then a few others might come forward to pray with those who had responded.  Many times, services ended quietly with people still praying around the altar. 

Praying for and with one another was a warm expression of caring and engagement. 

2.   I miss altar prayer

I know, this sounds repetitive, but the altar was a special place for prayer as I was growing up and leading churches. 

Sometimes people would pray at the altar before worship even began.  I’ve seen people come to the altar while we were singing hymns or during pastoral prayer times. 

It was a place to seek God, unburden oneself, and openly indicate a desire to be closer to the Lord – a place to deal with the problems and stresses of life! 

As indicated earlier, others would often move forward to pray with those who responded in such a way!  It was a beautiful thing!  I miss it!

3.    I miss lay involvement

Being part of the Wesleyan movement, there has always been an emphasis on lay involvement. 

During my leadership years, I tried to limit my leadership to the time when I was giving the message.  As many other parts of the service as possible were turned over to trustworthy, gifted and trained individuals.  Many voices were heard during the flow of worship! 

4.    I miss a free-style of worship

Much could be said here – I’ll TRY to be brief!

One of the characteristics of my ministry was a desire to keep people engaged and interested in what was happening in worship.  Over the years, I found this was best accomplished by diversity, creativity and [to a certain extent] unpredictability. 

I know – that sounds strange.

Methods I utilized included:

·         Frequently changing the order of worship

·         Using many people in various ways during worship

·         Writing engaging dramas that brought the message to life [this, of course, gave certain people an opportunity to be involved who were drawn to this kind of ministry!] 

·         Incorporating humor into worship.  This was occasionally done via the dramas, video clips, stories, testimonies, and PowerPoint pictures.

·         Creating engaging congregational readings – often based on modern versions of the Bible!  [These go best when led by competent, trained lay leaders.]

In essence, variety!  Keeping people engaged, focused and interested!

5.    I miss going to the altar to receive Holy Communion.

In theme with what’s already been said, I have always preferred providing Holy Communion in such a way that people had the opportunity to come forward, kneel and pray at the altar – if they so desired.

Because of the sacred nature of this experience, we always provided two or three people [male and female] in our foyer for anyone who desired special prayer during the Communion time. [With people moving to and from the altar, it was easy for someone to discreetly slip out for prayer.  Occasionally, decisions for Christ were made as a result!  

The focus of the whole day was confession and restoration by the power of the risen Christ!

6.    I miss the anointing with oil for healing!

Providing for the open exercise of the exhortations given by the brother of our Lord in his New Testament letter:  James 5:14-18. 

Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

The practice of this grace can be time-consuming and awkward in public worship.  However, it can also be enormously caring, emotionally and physically healing, and a physical expression of love! 

In a world filled with such addiction, brokenness and pain – how can we ignore such clear instructions? 

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Every tradition has its own ways of doing things.  I’m trying to adjust to a new tradition after a lifetime of experience in a somewhat different one.  I’m less elastic than I may have been when I was younger.  I openly confess to missing these aspects of worship that I had become comfortable and familiar with. 

At the same time, I am embracing new people and growing through my engagement with them.  I hope they’ll be patient with me as I try to find my way in a new system that challenges me every Sunday yet also frequently leaves me with lingering longings for the worship experiences I’ve just described! 

Blessings on the Church!