Church Decorum Series: Altar Ministry
Lesson Five: Altar Ministry
Lesson Four: Presiding | Lesson Three: Prayer | Lesson Two: Learn To Be A Student | Lesson One: Be Observant
Let’s say you visit a church, find that you really like it, and are extended the right hand of fellowship. You meet with the Pastor and agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the church. But then you start asking yourself, “What rules am I supposed to keep?”
Have you ever found yourself in this predicament?
When I went to the first Church Of God In Christ International Holy Convocation held in St. Louis, I was impressed, but a little disheartened, by a book that our Presiding Bishop and Mother Blake wrote about how the saints should deport themselves. While the information was very useful, I was surprised that we needed to be told some very basic things.
Then I remembered when I first came to the holiness church. Can you believe I did not even own a dress! I did not know what to say or what to do. I felt so inadequate those first few times I visited.
For those of us who have been in the church for a long time, we tend to assume that everyone knows the basics of church decorum. But over time, I’ve come to realize that there are just some things we won’t know – unless we are taught.
Well have no fear, this year I am here to help! It’s 2013, a brand new year, and I will be focusing on church decorum – those things we wished someone told us so we wouldn’t have felt out in left field while everyone else was in right. I’ll be covering lots of topics, including presiding, speaking and teaching; praying for different occasions; dressing modestly; altar work and laying on of hands and more. I’ll also be taking topics from you! Simply email your suggestion to Blog@holinesstabernaclecogic.org and you just may find your idea as the focus of one of my monthly blog posts.
Before we begin, I would like to start with a disclaimer: RULES AND REGULATIONS DIFFER FROM CHURCH TO CHURCH. IT IS ALWAYS WISE TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE PARTICULAR CHURCH YOU ATTEND.
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Working the altar is a serious work in ministry. One of the primary functions of church work is to encourage people to develop or strengthen their relationship with God. The altar is a designated place to accomplish this purpose. As you can imagine, this is also the place where the enemy will do all he can to distract, discourage or prevent people from receiving their breakthrough at the altar. But we can overcome the work of the enemy through the power of the Holy Spirit!
I see the altar as the detoxification station. It is a place where we come to purge ourselves of things that prevent us from drawing closer to God or hinder our relationship with God. The altar will detoxify you of your old ways, habits, bad attitudes or what I like to call the “can’t help its.” It will also detoxify you of your old ways of thinking and prepare to receive from God.
Altar work is not a work of the flesh; it is a work of the Holy Spirit. It is important to be Spirit-filled and -led when working the altar. Remember, it is God who does the work not us. God anoints us to work the altar.
People come to the altar for various reasons including for salvation or restoration, being filled with the Holy Spirit, healing from illnesses, deliverance from demonic oppression or various other reasons. Those working the altar need to be prepared to pray for these various things.
The following are some tips to keep in mind when working the altar:
- Keep the aisles clear. During the altar call you want to leave an open path for people to make their way to the altar. Sometimes the Lord will give you discernment on someone who should go up for prayer, but is fearful or hesitant. In those instances, it is okay to encourage a person to go to the altar for prayer.
- Try to prevent people from harming themselves. As the Spirit of the Lord moves upon someone, they may begin to move uncontrollably. Move objects that may harm them out of the way such as chairs, bags, shoes, Bibles, etc.
- Work in teams whenever possible. If there are two of you praying for one person, allow one person to take the lead praying while the other supports by having sheets or scarves ready in case the person falls or becomes indisposed. The supporter can also have tissue ready to wipe the person after they are finished praying if needed. Allow the Lord to work on the person and purge them if necessary. Do not interrupt or distract them.
- Try to minimize distractions. The enemy will use anything he can to distract a person from breaking through. Something as simple as wiping their nose, accidentally spitting in their face while you pray, or having bad breath can all cause someone to pull out of prayer. As the altar worker, do what you can to minimize these distractions. Keep the person focused by asking them to close their eyes or repeat after you as you pray. Remember, the goal is to get them to cry out to Jesus for themselves.
- Only lay hands if you are spiritually ready to minister. The touching or laying of hands on the altar should be left to a person that is spiritually ready to minister. When you lay hands there is transference of power. You want to make sure that you are prayerful because what is in you will go into the other person. Always allow the Spirit to lead you when praying for people on the altar. You should not lay hands if you are sick or if you are bound and in need of deliverance yourself.
Remember that the primary goal of the church is to make disciples of Christ. The altar is a medium we can use to accomplish that goal. As believers of Christ, we need to be prepared to help others receive this great benefit.