Salvation Prayer EvangelismSalvation Prayer EvangelismA Gallup Poll released in 1990 A Gallup Poll released in 1990 showed 74% of Americans showed 74% of Americans thought they had made a thought they had made a personal commitment to Jesus personal commitment to Jesus Christ, and 95% of those were Christ, and 95% of those were willing to call it a “born again” willing to call it a “born again” experience.experience.

This makes perfect sense This makes perfect sense when you realize how the when you realize how the Gospel was presented in the Gospel was presented in the late 20th century.late 20th century.

Most “made a personal Most “made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ” commitment to Jesus Christ” by repeating a salvation by repeating a salvation prayer and were told they prayer and were told they were born again.were born again.

How to get Saved TodayHow to get Saved Today

Step 1:Step 1: A sermon is given A sermon is given requiring a response – stay in requiring a response – stay in your seat and miss out on what your seat and miss out on what God has for you, or come forward God has for you, or come forward and receive a and receive a no obligation giftno obligation gift from God. He’ll give you help in from God. He’ll give you help in this life and heaven in the next.this life and heaven in the next.

Step 2:Step 2: Repeat the salvation Repeat the salvation prayer – it’s seen as a marriage prayer – it’s seen as a marriage vow which God will always honor. vow which God will always honor. Most evangelicals teach no Most evangelicals teach no matter how you live your life matter how you live your life after this point, you will still go to after this point, you will still go to heaven, which compounds the heaven, which compounds the problem.problem.

The Evangelical SacramentThe Evangelical Sacrament

Although many evangelicals believe if someone is Although many evangelicals believe if someone is water baptized it’s water baptized it’s not necessarilynot necessarily an indication an indication of saving faithof saving faith, they , they dodo believe that going forward believe that going forward in an altar call and repeating a salvation prayer in an altar call and repeating a salvation prayer isis an indication of saving faith.an indication of saving faith.

Most “Fall Away” Most “Fall Away”

* Church-wide, there’s an 84% * Church-wide, there’s an 84% to 97% “fall-away” rate among to 97% “fall-away” rate among those who make decisions for those who make decisions for Christ at the altar.Christ at the altar.* Before the 20* Before the 20thth century, century, evangelists were ecstatic if just evangelists were ecstatic if just 10% of people who came 10% of people who came forward for prayer were saved forward for prayer were saved at the altar.at the altar.* The most logical inference is * The most logical inference is the 20the 20thth century evangelism century evangelism practice of telling everyone practice of telling everyone they are saved at the altar they are saved at the altar without regard for their true without regard for their true condition, is producing a condition, is producing a staggering number of stillborn – staggering number of stillborn – instead of born again instead of born again Christians.Christians.

HowHow Did Modern Evangelism Did Modern Evangelism Evolve Evolve Into the Present-Day System? Into the Present-Day System?

In the first half of the 1800s, In the first half of the 1800s, Charles FinneyCharles Finney began using began using methods designed to encourage methods designed to encourage seekers to immediately confront seekers to immediately confront their lost condition. After a their lost condition. After a church service, he asked church service, he asked seekers to come to an after-seekers to come to an after-meeting or inquiry room where meeting or inquiry room where they could confess their sins, they could confess their sins, receive counsel and be prayed receive counsel and be prayed for. This is why Finney is called for. This is why Finney is called the father of the altar call.the father of the altar call.

FinneyFinney examined seekers to examined seekers to determine their heart conditiondetermine their heart condition

Charles FinneyCharles Finney never told never told people they were saved people they were saved because they came forward in because they came forward in an altar call. He never used an altar call. He never used anything like a salvation anything like a salvation prayer. He said:prayer. He said:““Never tell a sinner anything or direct Never tell a sinner anything or direct him to do anything that will stop him him to do anything that will stop him short of short of absolute submission to absolute submission to GodGod. Suppose you tell an unbeliever . Suppose you tell an unbeliever to pray or to read or to do anything to pray or to read or to do anything less than saving repentance, and that less than saving repentance, and that night he falls and breaks his neck. night he falls and breaks his neck. Whom will God blame? It makes the Whom will God blame? It makes the hearts of the faithful bleed to see how hearts of the faithful bleed to see how many people delude anxious sinners.”many people delude anxious sinners.”

FinneyFinney never pre-empted the never pre-empted the conviction of the Holy Spiritconviction of the Holy Spirit

Charles Finney said true repentance Charles Finney said true repentance is necessary for people to be born is necessary for people to be born again. Only a small portion truly again. Only a small portion truly repent.repent.““What vast spiritual quackery we see What vast spiritual quackery we see in the world– what liars and worthless in the world– what liars and worthless spiritual doctors who prescribe only spiritual doctors who prescribe only false hopes. They dispense false false hopes. They dispense false tenderness because they lack tenderness because they lack firmness to apply the sword of the firmness to apply the sword of the spirit to cut men and women to the spirit to cut men and women to the soul, to expose sinners’ naked hearts. soul, to expose sinners’ naked hearts. Many who enter the ministry lack Many who enter the ministry lack enough skill to administer the Gospel, enough skill to administer the Gospel, and enough firmness to watch as and enough firmness to watch as God’s Spirit crushed rotten hopes God’s Spirit crushed rotten hopes until the sinner breaks at the feet of until the sinner breaks at the feet of Christ.”Christ.”

For For D. L. MoodyD. L. Moody, the sermon was the prelude to , the sermon was the prelude to the after meeting, where he threw himself into the the after meeting, where he threw himself into the fray of seekers. He was patient and thorough fray of seekers. He was patient and thorough dealing with each case, no hurrying from one to dealing with each case, no hurrying from one to another.another.

The last great evangelist to The last great evangelist to use sound evangelism use sound evangelism methods and theology was methods and theology was D.L. Moody.D.L. Moody.

The nineteenth century The nineteenth century altar call never implied altar call never implied people who came forward people who came forward would be immediately would be immediately saved. It merely invited saved. It merely invited sinners to come to an sinners to come to an inquiry room where trained inquiry room where trained counselors would answer counselors would answer questions and help questions and help seekers in the process of seekers in the process of repentance. But all this repentance. But all this was about to change.was about to change.

Billy SundayBilly Sunday drops Pre-salvation drops Pre-salvation counseling - Everyone who comes forward counseling - Everyone who comes forward is called a convertis called a convert

Sunday eliminates the inquiry Sunday eliminates the inquiry room.room.In the first half of the 20In the first half of the 20thth century, century, Billy SundayBilly Sunday becomes impatient becomes impatient with the methods of ministers who with the methods of ministers who came before him. “Some people came before him. “Some people think that they can’t be converted think that they can’t be converted unless they go down on their knees unless they go down on their knees in the straw at a camp meeting, in the straw at a camp meeting, unless they pray all hours of the unless they pray all hours of the night and all days of the week night and all days of the week while some old brother storms while some old brother storms heaven in prayer. … What I want heaven in prayer. … What I want and preach is the fact that a man and preach is the fact that a man can be converted without any can be converted without any fuss.”fuss.”

Billy SundayBilly Sunday changed what it changed what it meant to be born againmeant to be born again

Billy Sunday’s theology and Billy Sunday’s theology and evangelism methods changed evangelism methods changed everything.everything.

His altar call was no longer an His altar call was no longer an after-meeting experience where after-meeting experience where people could receive counsel on people could receive counsel on repentance, pour out their hearts repentance, pour out their hearts to God and perhaps 10% would to God and perhaps 10% would be “hopefully saved”. be “hopefully saved”. Every person that came forward Every person that came forward to shake Sunday’s hand was told to shake Sunday’s hand was told they were now automatically a they were now automatically a convert by virtue of their “act of convert by virtue of their “act of faith”. The term “Born again” lost faith”. The term “Born again” lost all meaning.all meaning.

No more waiting at the altar –No more waiting at the altar –Going forward = saving faith Going forward = saving faith

Sunday didn’t need the Sunday didn’t need the inquiry room.inquiry room.The inquiry room seemed a The inquiry room seemed a relic of the past, because as relic of the past, because as his wife boasted, “He made it his wife boasted, “He made it (the question of salvation) so (the question of salvation) so simple that there was no simple that there was no need for inquiry rooms.”need for inquiry rooms.”

HowHow Did Modern Evangelism Did Modern Evangelism Evolve Evolve Into the Present-Day System? Into the Present-Day System?

Sunday had forever Sunday had forever changed the understanding changed the understanding of the altar call.of the altar call.The pre-Billy Sunday evangelist felt The pre-Billy Sunday evangelist felt personally responsible for the birth personally responsible for the birth process and assumed seekers were process and assumed seekers were lost until they “broke through.” The lost until they “broke through.” The post-Billy Sunday evangelist post-Billy Sunday evangelist assumed seekers were born again assumed seekers were born again and left any problems to the and left any problems to the churches. This modern innovation churches. This modern innovation streamlined the salvation process streamlined the salvation process to the point that Billy Sunday was to the point that Billy Sunday was able to boast he made converts for able to boast he made converts for “two dollars a soul”.“two dollars a soul”.

Sunday’s methods were very Sunday’s methods were very modernmodern

FirstFirst, since Sunday invited everyone to the , since Sunday invited everyone to the front to shake his hand as a sign of front to shake his hand as a sign of conversion, there were simply too many conversion, there were simply too many converts to counsel in the traditional way. converts to counsel in the traditional way. SecondSecond, since his , since his Convert’s Pledge Convert’s Pledge card gave card gave follow-up information to participating follow-up information to participating churches, if there were any spurious churches, if there were any spurious conversions, they could be sorted out later. conversions, they could be sorted out later. ThirdThird, modern psychology taught that it was , modern psychology taught that it was better to tell someone they were saved than better to tell someone they were saved than to leave any doubt in their minds. to leave any doubt in their minds. FourthFourth, , modern methods required definite standards modern methods required definite standards and practices. The old inquiry room method of and practices. The old inquiry room method of counseling and waiting on God taught by counseling and waiting on God taught by Moody and other evangelists since Finney was Moody and other evangelists since Finney was considered frustrating and inefficient ... like considered frustrating and inefficient ... like natural childbirth.natural childbirth.

All ministers after Sunday had to All ministers after Sunday had to compete with the claim of 100% compete with the claim of 100% conversionconversion

Starting with Billy Sunday,Starting with Billy Sunday, ministers ministers were tempted to take grievous were tempted to take grievous shortcuts to assure higher numbers of shortcuts to assure higher numbers of converts. This temptation had always converts. This temptation had always been present for every minister of the been present for every minister of the Gospel, but in the first part of the Gospel, but in the first part of the 20th century, “salvations”20th century, “salvations” became as became as cheap and easy to obtain as the cheap and easy to obtain as the mass-produced goods pouring from mass-produced goods pouring from

the factoriesthe factories..

““Sunday conversion”Sunday conversion” became a term of derision.became a term of derision.

Trotman starts Trotman starts NavigatorsNavigators

In the 1930’s, Dawson Trotman started the In the 1930’s, Dawson Trotman started the Navigators to combat “Sunday conversions”. Navigators to combat “Sunday conversions”. He taught his Navigators, “You can lead a He taught his Navigators, “You can lead a man to Christ in a couple of minutes to a man to Christ in a couple of minutes to a couple of hours, but it takes twenty weeks to couple of hours, but it takes twenty weeks to a couple of years to adequately follow him a couple of years to adequately follow him up.”up.” Trotman repented of having led so Trotman repented of having led so many into superficial commitments before many into superficial commitments before starting the Navigators. “The hit-and-run starting the Navigators. “The hit-and-run evangelism he and others had practiced for evangelism he and others had practiced for years, resulting only in the ‘survival of the years, resulting only in the ‘survival of the fittest,’ he now condemned as dead wrong.”fittest,’ he now condemned as dead wrong.”

Trotman prevents false Trotman prevents false conversionsconversions

He realized decisions were useless without He realized decisions were useless without true conversion. He didn’t state it that way, true conversion. He didn’t state it that way, for he was a twentieth century evangelist, for he was a twentieth century evangelist, but no other interpretation explains his but no other interpretation explains his reluctance to lead people in a decision reluctance to lead people in a decision unless followed up with at least 20 weeks of unless followed up with at least 20 weeks of discipleship training. Trotman believed it discipleship training. Trotman believed it was impossible for saved people to lose their was impossible for saved people to lose their salvation, so why was he reluctant to lead salvation, so why was he reluctant to lead them in a decision for Christ, even knowing them in a decision for Christ, even knowing most would not “survive” (a euphemism for most would not “survive” (a euphemism for leading a victorious Christian life)? Isn’t leading a victorious Christian life)? Isn’t avoiding hell the most important thing?avoiding hell the most important thing?

Billy GrahamBilly Graham develops 3-part develops 3-part FormulaFormulato minimize false conversions in to minimize false conversions in 1950’s1950’s Billy Graham brings back the Billy Graham brings back the

inquiry room.inquiry room.Like Dawson Trotman, Graham took measures to Like Dawson Trotman, Graham took measures to compensate for the fundamental flaw of Sunday compensate for the fundamental flaw of Sunday evangelism. Even with the 20evangelism. Even with the 20thth century handicap century handicap of having to treat everyone who came forward as of having to treat everyone who came forward as a convert, Graham fashioned a formula for a convert, Graham fashioned a formula for success. His three prong approach of excellent success. His three prong approach of excellent sermons, altar counseling and intensive follow-up sermons, altar counseling and intensive follow-up by counselors and churches provided seekers with by counselors and churches provided seekers with numerous opportunities to hear the Gospel and numerous opportunities to hear the Gospel and repent, resulting in, according to Graham, a repent, resulting in, according to Graham, a possible 25% success rate.possible 25% success rate.

The Billy GrahamThe Billy Graham FormulaFormulaS+C+F=D(.25)=BS+C+F=D(.25)=BSermon + Counseling + Follow-up = Sermon + Counseling + Follow-up =

Decisions x 25%= Born-again Decisions x 25%= Born-again experiencesexperiencesAlthough this seems like an improvement over Although this seems like an improvement over

the 5 to 10% success rate common in the 1800s, the 5 to 10% success rate common in the 1800s, it is roughly equivalent when one considers the it is roughly equivalent when one considers the Graham seeker has numerous exposures to the Graham seeker has numerous exposures to the Gospel and personal counseling, equivalent to an Gospel and personal counseling, equivalent to an 1800s seeker attending an after meeting and 1800s seeker attending an after meeting and then a minister visiting him at home until God then a minister visiting him at home until God deigned to save him.deigned to save him.

3-part Formula proves most 3-part Formula proves most effective when effective when allall three parts are three parts are faithfully usedfaithfully used

According to Kel Richards, National According to Kel Richards, National Coordinator for BGEA Australia, in the 1994 Coordinator for BGEA Australia, in the 1994 Christian Life and Witness CourseChristian Life and Witness Course video video made for Australian BGEA counselors, only made for Australian BGEA counselors, only 2% of conversions take place during the 2% of conversions take place during the sermon, 48% during counseling and 50% sermon, 48% during counseling and 50% sometime during follow-up. When the sometime during follow-up. When the previously cited 25% salvation rate is previously cited 25% salvation rate is applied to these statistics, Graham’s applied to these statistics, Graham’s formula for success looks even better. If formula for success looks even better. If only a sermon is provided, just one half of only a sermon is provided, just one half of 1% of decisions will be effective. If a 1% of decisions will be effective. If a sermon plus altar counseling is provided, sermon plus altar counseling is provided, 12.5% of decisions will be effective. If a 12.5% of decisions will be effective. If a sermon plus altar counseling plus follow-up sermon plus altar counseling plus follow-up is provided, 25% of decisions for Christ will is provided, 25% of decisions for Christ will be effective.be effective.

Graham created the 3-part Formula because Graham created the 3-part Formula because he knew without counseling and follow-up, he knew without counseling and follow-up, the vast majority of Decisions for Christ would the vast majority of Decisions for Christ would be ineffectivebe ineffective

Every pastor and evangelist needs to Every pastor and evangelist needs to listen to listen to Billy GrahamBilly Graham::“I don’t believe any man can come to Christ unless the Holy Spirit “I don’t believe any man can come to Christ unless the Holy Spirit has prepared his heart. Second, I don’t believe any man can come has prepared his heart. Second, I don’t believe any man can come to Christ unless God draws him. My job is to proclaim the message. to Christ unless God draws him. My job is to proclaim the message. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to do the work. And so I approach it with a It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to do the work. And so I approach it with a

great deal of relaxation now.great deal of relaxation now. There’s the moment of There’s the moment of conception, there’s nine months of gestation, conception, there’s nine months of gestation, there is birth. Now I believe that these people there is birth. Now I believe that these people who come forward in our meetings to make a who come forward in our meetings to make a commitment, for some it is a moment of commitment, for some it is a moment of conception, for others it’s another stage in conception, for others it’s another stage in gestation, for others it is birth into the gestation, for others it is birth into the Kingdom of God. And for many it’s completely Kingdom of God. And for many it’s completely spurious and there’s nothing to it.”spurious and there’s nothing to it.”

Graham told participating churches, Graham told participating churches, “The 5 per cent effort to The 5 per cent effort to win men to a personal committal to Christ is over: The 95 per cent win men to a personal committal to Christ is over: The 95 per cent effort to bring them to maturity in the fellowship of the churches effort to bring them to maturity in the fellowship of the churches is about to begin.”is about to begin.”

The period from conception to being “born again” is a “stage The period from conception to being “born again” is a “stage of gestation” (or struggle of faith) that can last for days, of gestation” (or struggle of faith) that can last for days, weeks, months or even years. Graham explained this spiritual weeks, months or even years. Graham explained this spiritual phenomenon in his book, phenomenon in his book, Peace With GodPeace With God: “Not all conversions : “Not all conversions come as a sudden, brilliant flash of soul illumination that we come as a sudden, brilliant flash of soul illumination that we call a crisis conversion. There are many others that are call a crisis conversion. There are many others that are accomplished only after a long and difficult conflict with the accomplished only after a long and difficult conflict with the inner motives of the person. With others, conversion comes at inner motives of the person. With others, conversion comes at the climactic moment of a long period of a gradual conviction the climactic moment of a long period of a gradual conviction of their need and revelation of the plan of salvation. This of their need and revelation of the plan of salvation. This prolonged process results in conscious acceptance of Christ as prolonged process results in conscious acceptance of Christ as personal Savior and in the yielding of life to Him. We may say personal Savior and in the yielding of life to Him. We may say therefore, that conversion can be an instantaneous event, a therefore, that conversion can be an instantaneous event, a crisis in which the person receives a clear revelation of the crisis in which the person receives a clear revelation of the love of God; or it can be a gradual unfoldment accompanied by love of God; or it can be a gradual unfoldment accompanied by a climactic moment at the time the line is crossed between a climactic moment at the time the line is crossed between darkness and light, between death and life everlasting.”darkness and light, between death and life everlasting.”

Billy Graham Billy Graham never believed everyone who repeated a never believed everyone who repeated a salvation prayer was saved. He acknowledged: “Some were salvation prayer was saved. He acknowledged: “Some were following the whim of temporary emotion, some did not realize following the whim of temporary emotion, some did not realize what they were doing.”what they were doing.”

GrahamGraham asked Dawson Trotman three times to use his asked Dawson Trotman three times to use his Navigators’ experience to improve crusade counseling and Navigators’ experience to improve crusade counseling and follow-up. Trotman was no lover of mass evangelism. He follow-up. Trotman was no lover of mass evangelism. He had learned from experience to “never lead a person in a had learned from experience to “never lead a person in a decision unless he was prepared to adequately follow him decision unless he was prepared to adequately follow him up.” Trotman had come to the conclusion that most up.” Trotman had come to the conclusion that most decisions were useless without concerted follow-up. This decisions were useless without concerted follow-up. This was a tacit acknowledgement that most 20th century was a tacit acknowledgement that most 20th century conversions were not conversions at all, but rather, at conversions were not conversions at all, but rather, at best, the beginning of illumination. Trotman strengthened best, the beginning of illumination. Trotman strengthened Graham’s counseling and follow-up program. The Graham’s counseling and follow-up program. The improved follow-up program was supposed to help improved follow-up program was supposed to help ministers keep in close contact with seekers who might ministers keep in close contact with seekers who might already be saved, or if only illuminated, (the gestation already be saved, or if only illuminated, (the gestation period mentioned by Graham), hopefully get born again period mentioned by Graham), hopefully get born again somewhere down the road.somewhere down the road.

Billy Graham’s First InnovationBilly Graham’s First Innovation ––

Public Group Salvation Prayer Public Group Salvation Prayer after after CounselingCounseling

The first way Graham used the salvation prayer was one-on-one The first way Graham used the salvation prayer was one-on-one in the privacy of the inquiry room in the privacy of the inquiry room after after counseling. This gave altar counseling. This gave altar workers the ability to sort out whether seekers understood what workers the ability to sort out whether seekers understood what they were doing before “getting married.” Unfortunately, Graham they were doing before “getting married.” Unfortunately, Graham felt the need to streamline the process. Curtis Mitchell, in felt the need to streamline the process. Curtis Mitchell, in Those Those Who came ForwardWho came Forward, explains why Graham changed the custom: , explains why Graham changed the custom: “In smaller crusades, this prayer was made within the walls of an “In smaller crusades, this prayer was made within the walls of an adjacent inquiry room, but as crowds of converts grew larger, adjacent inquiry room, but as crowds of converts grew larger, it it became Graham’s custom to lead it himself became Graham’s custom to lead it himself and to end the and to end the counseling session counseling session in the openin the open.” Graham’s leading the prayer at .” Graham’s leading the prayer at the end of the counseling session with large groups in the open the end of the counseling session with large groups in the open was a radical departure from previous procedure. was a radical departure from previous procedure. It forever It forever changed the perception of the prayer. No longer was the changed the perception of the prayer. No longer was the prayer seen as part of a supernatural impartation between prayer seen as part of a supernatural impartation between saints, where the counselor served as a midwife to a new saints, where the counselor served as a midwife to a new birth.birth. (Pollock used the term, “spiritual obstetrician.”) Now the (Pollock used the term, “spiritual obstetrician.”) Now the prayer was understood mostly as a profession of faith before the prayer was understood mostly as a profession of faith before the worldworld

Billy Graham’s Second InnovationBilly Graham’s Second Innovation ––Public Group Salvation Prayer Public Group Salvation Prayer before before CounselingCounseling

As crowds coming to the altar grew even larger, so did the As crowds coming to the altar grew even larger, so did the need for counselors. If there weren’t enough counselors, need for counselors. If there weren’t enough counselors, some of the seekers got away before they could be led in some of the seekers got away before they could be led in the prayer. One counselor commented: “I found myself the prayer. One counselor commented: “I found myself surrounded by hundreds of anxious souls, needing surrounded by hundreds of anxious souls, needing instruction and guidance in the Word, while the absence of instruction and guidance in the Word, while the absence of personal workers was appalling. ... I trembled at seeing personal workers was appalling. ... I trembled at seeing scores leaving without anyone to speak to them.” Graham, scores leaving without anyone to speak to them.” Graham, out of perceived necessity, started doing the group prayer out of perceived necessity, started doing the group prayer before before the counseling session. Curtis Mitchell described the counseling session. Curtis Mitchell described this second innovation: “The evangelist leans forward to this second innovation: “The evangelist leans forward to greet inquirers ... he says he will not keep them long. ... greet inquirers ... he says he will not keep them long. ... And then he leads them all in a unique prayer of And then he leads them all in a unique prayer of confession and repentance, pausing after each phrase to confession and repentance, pausing after each phrase to allow them to repeat his simple but explicit words. ... allow them to repeat his simple but explicit words. ... After After the prayer the prayer ... the counseling begins at once.”... the counseling begins at once.”

Injury added to insult: ministers use only a Injury added to insult: ministers use only a group salvation prayer and tell people they group salvation prayer and tell people they are born againare born again

Because the Graham formula provides Because the Graham formula provides counseling and follow-up, the system can, in counseling and follow-up, the system can, in many cases, overcome the inherent dishonesty many cases, overcome the inherent dishonesty of telling all seekers they are born again. of telling all seekers they are born again. But But what about the thousands of evangelists what about the thousands of evangelists and pastors who use the altar call and and pastors who use the altar call and group salvation prayer without offering group salvation prayer without offering counseling and follow-up?counseling and follow-up? They don’t know They don’t know what Billy Graham said about stages of gestation what Billy Graham said about stages of gestation and getting a decision being only 5% of the and getting a decision being only 5% of the work. All they know is having seekers walk to the work. All they know is having seekers walk to the altar and repeat a salvation prayer is the altar and repeat a salvation prayer is the quickest and easiest way to get a conversion.quickest and easiest way to get a conversion.

Modern ministers that use the group salvation Modern ministers that use the group salvation prayer without altar counseling and follow-up prayer without altar counseling and follow-up have caused an epidemic of false conversions.have caused an epidemic of false conversions.

History has repeated itself. Billy Sunday took the History has repeated itself. Billy Sunday took the effective methods of Charles Finney and stripped effective methods of Charles Finney and stripped them of the safeguard of effective counseling, and, them of the safeguard of effective counseling, and, in the process, changed the meaning of coming in the process, changed the meaning of coming forward in an altar call from seeking salvation to forward in an altar call from seeking salvation to being saved by virtue of the act. Modern ministers being saved by virtue of the act. Modern ministers took the effective methods of Billy Graham and took the effective methods of Billy Graham and stripped them of the safeguard of effective stripped them of the safeguard of effective counseling and extended follow-up, and, in the counseling and extended follow-up, and, in the process, changed the meaning of repeating a process, changed the meaning of repeating a salvation prayer from a first step in wanting to live salvation prayer from a first step in wanting to live for Christ to an irrevocable legal contract by which for Christ to an irrevocable legal contract by which God is bound— while the seeker remains a free God is bound— while the seeker remains a free agent.agent.

American evangelical Christianity is in a American evangelical Christianity is in a lukewarm state for which revival seems lukewarm state for which revival seems unlikely. After one hundred years of automatic unlikely. After one hundred years of automatic salvation for all who come to the altar, we’ve salvation for all who come to the altar, we’ve lost the desire—and the ability—to determine if lost the desire—and the ability—to determine if people are truly Christian. When Charles Finney people are truly Christian. When Charles Finney preached revivals in churches, people, including preached revivals in churches, people, including pastors, elders and deacons got saved. Many pastors, elders and deacons got saved. Many congregations were so far away from Biblical congregations were so far away from Biblical salvation that the Gospel seemed like a new salvation that the Gospel seemed like a new revelation. revelation. We live in a similar timeWe live in a similar time. .

Revivals take place when Revivals take place when church people are born again.church people are born again.Every pastor should ask his congregation, “Was Every pastor should ask his congregation, “Was there ever a time in your life when you knew there ever a time in your life when you knew absolutely that God was working in you, helping absolutely that God was working in you, helping you to overcome sin? Have you ever you to overcome sin? Have you ever experienced the workings of the Holy Spirit? experienced the workings of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever known righteousness, and peace, Have you ever known righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? If not, I wonder if you and joy in the Holy Ghost? If not, I wonder if you are saved.”are saved.”

Churches need to change Churches need to change evangelism methods and evangelism methods and theologytheology

I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but burning in I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but burning in hell for all eternity is the hell for all eternity is the one one subject that subject that shouldn’t be taken lightly.shouldn’t be taken lightly.Forgive me if I offend with what I’m about to say. Forgive me if I offend with what I’m about to say. As horrible as the holocaust was, it pales in As horrible as the holocaust was, it pales in comparison to the possibility that 100 million comparison to the possibility that 100 million Americans think they are going to heaven Americans think they are going to heaven because they repeated a salvation prayer.because they repeated a salvation prayer.But because we can’t hear screams and smell But because we can’t hear screams and smell burning flesh, we’re tempted to leave well burning flesh, we’re tempted to leave well enough alone. After all, most 20th century enough alone. After all, most 20th century ministers adopted Billy Sunday’s methods and ministers adopted Billy Sunday’s methods and theology, so who are theology, so who are we we to rock the boat? How to rock the boat? How could they could they all all be wrong, and besides, God be wrong, and besides, God wouldn’t let us stray so far from the truth.wouldn’t let us stray so far from the truth.This was the way many Catholic priests This was the way many Catholic priests rationalized doing nothing when confronted with rationalized doing nothing when confronted with Luther’s Luther’s 95 Thesis95 Thesis. Surely the Pope and . Surely the Pope and almost almost all all theologians couldn’t be wrong! These people theologians couldn’t be wrong! These people love God after all. They’ve given their lives to His love God after all. They’ve given their lives to His service. God wouldn’t allow such a deception!service. God wouldn’t allow such a deception!

The fight for eternal souls is the most The fight for eternal souls is the most important fight there is – nothing else important fight there is – nothing else comes closecomes close

We can’t expect prominent evangelists to change We can’t expect prominent evangelists to change their ways. The stakes are just too high. For a their ways. The stakes are just too high. For a major ministry to admit it was responsible for major ministry to admit it was responsible for thousands of spurious conversions is just too much thousands of spurious conversions is just too much to expect. In the early days of his ministry, Billy to expect. In the early days of his ministry, Billy Graham correctly changed the term for people Graham correctly changed the term for people who came forward and repeated a salvation prayer who came forward and repeated a salvation prayer from “conversions” to “decisions.” This was about from “conversions” to “decisions.” This was about as far as prominent ministries are likely to go.as far as prominent ministries are likely to go.Pastors must lead the way.Pastors must lead the way.For more information, read For more information, read The Graham FormulaThe Graham Formula by Patrick McIntyre available at Amazon.com or by Patrick McIntyre available at Amazon.com or become a member of become a member of The Society For Effective The Society For Effective EvangelismEvangelism and receive for $15 a copy of and receive for $15 a copy of The The Graham FormulaGraham Formula,, a PDF version of the book for a PDF version of the book for cut-and-paste purposes, and a copy of this cut-and-paste purposes, and a copy of this PowerPoint presentation. PowerPoint presentation. God Bless YouGod Bless You

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The Protestant Reformation took time-The Protestant Reformation took time-And it took thousands of ministers to bring about lasting And it took thousands of ministers to bring about lasting changeschanges