02.08. Methods

8. METHODS

All methods, plans, and practices are worthless without the blessing of God upon them, and for this blessing we should always pray earnestly.

There are, however, certain methods that God often uses, methods that seem to affect some people and bring definite results.

Sometimes Fail

It is well to understand that no method will always work. That which at one time proved so effective and brought wonderful results, the very next time may utterly fail.

There are many methods which may be effectively used in giving an invitation, and all I may suggest I have used often to the salvation of many souls. At other times I have used them with no results whatever. We cannot emphasize too much that in soul winning all methods must be anointed by the Spirit.

The Raised Hand

It is often well at the close of the message to ask those interested to raise their hands. I usually ask those who have been filled with the Spirit, then those who have been saved, and then those who are interested in either one or the other. This is a step toward God and it gives personal workers, as well as yourself, a chance to spot those manifesting concern.

When the spirit of conviction seems to be upon the people, it often helps to ask those who have raised their hands to go a step further and stand. Most of those who respond will come to the altar.

I have used this occasionally to good advantage, "How many are interested enough to step right out without a song and come and kneel at the altar?" Any who are concerned enough to do this are very close to settling the question of salvation.

Individual Responsibility

In your message, in your invitation, in your exhortation, and in all your methods, keep the responsibility on individuals. Emphasize the fact that God does not leave them, they leave Him. They drive Him away. They force the issue. They make it impossible for God to save them.

Never say or do anything that will lead folks to believe that Christ is unwilling to save. "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him," and He "is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish."

You Act Deliberately

After a sermon on walking in the light or some kindred theme, I have found the following exhortation often effective. "You have heard it said people get so excited at the revival that they do not know what they are doing, but that is not true here. You know what you are doing; your mind was never more clear and you were never acting more deliberately than you are now.

"There may have been times when you have unthoughtedly turned Christ away, but not tonight. If you reject Him now, you do so consciously, willfully, deliberately, knowingly. With the light and knowledge you have of the way of salvation, can you afford to say ’no’ tonight?"

Have a Goal

It is sometimes good to set your heart on a certain number of seekers that should be at the altar. The spirit of your service and the liberty God has given you will help you do this after you start your invitation. When you have chosen your number, tell the audience how many you think should come forward, whether five, ten, or more, and pull for that number. For instance, "Three are here now. Where are the others? Who will be the fourth?" With prayer, faith, and persistency you will be far more likely to reach your goal than you will with no reference to the number.

Inform the Audience

I have found it well, when God is blessing the invitation, to inform the congregation from time to time how many are at the altar. As the number increases, both your faith and the faith of the Christians are strengthened and those needing salvation are encouraged to come forward for prayer.

In the last service I held with Dr. L. A. Reed, when ninety-one came forward, at my request Dr. Reed stood near me during my invitation and informed me from time to time how many were kneeling, and I told the audience. As the number kneeling increased, many were encouraged to go out into the tabernacle urging friends and loved ones to come.

Remember, however, in mentioning the number kneeling, to avoid mentioning thirteen. Some will not come with that number at the altar, or if you mention the number preceding it.

Seekers Need to Be Alone

I have never found it wise to urge Christians to come and pray with seekers during the invitation. I have seen two or three people so concerned over one person at the altar that the invitation was defeated. Do not be in too much of a hurry; it helps a seeker to kneel alone and think.

This difficulty of workers coming too early to deal with seekers can be avoided if the preacher will say at the beginning of his invitation: "Let us hold steady, pray, and do one thing at a time; and when the invitation is finished, we will all gather around the altar and pray with those needing help."

Have a plan and work it. Do one thing at a time. Have someone place the seekers, or show them where to kneel, so you can most effectively deal with them. If chairs must be used to extend the altar, turn them sideways, so the workers can deal across the chair with the seeker.

Hang On

Do not rush through your invitation. Hang on. Keep pulling. Ninety per cent of the invitations fail because the preacher quits too soon.

If your appeal does not seem to be taking hold, stop everything’ and pray a few words, then start over again. Ask again for raised hands; appeal to those responding to come for just one prayer. This proposition has often proved helpful for me: "If you do not care to come for the altar service, are you interested enough to come for the first prayer? I will call on someone to pray, and when that prayer is finished return to your seat if you desire." I have seen scores come on this appeal. Some, of course, will return to their seats, but the majority will remain and many pray through.

A Personal Appeal

If during your invitation you see a face that indicates interest and conviction, go yourself and speak to that one. In this very way God has helped me to lead hundreds to Christ.

Another method which has often helped in getting the unsaved to come for prayer is as follows: Call a number of fathers and mothers who are elderly people to come and kneel inside the altar. Do not call for volunteers to come but select those who are godly, respected, and in whom people have confidence. Then say: "We are going to have prayer. How many of you would like to have these good fathers and mothers pray for you? If you would, come, kneel here at the altar. Let this mother represent your mother, this father your father." I have seen gratifying results follow.

A Challenge

Some folks will respond to a challenge. I have used this many times with good results. "How many of you have the moral courage to step out before your friends, before this crowd, and come down to the front and kneel? I challenge your courage. I know it is not easy, it is hard to do; in fact, it takes more real courage than most have. How about it? Are you courageous enough to step out right now regardless of what others may think or say? Do you believe in your mother’s God? Would you be ashamed to let this audience know where you stand? Again I challenge your courage; come, kneel while we sing a verse of song."

Surprise

The element of surprise is sometimes very effective. People expect an evangelistic service at night; surprise them by planning such a service for Sunday school or at the morning worship hour. If done too often, there might be some reaction; but to do this occasionally, unannounced, once or twice a year, will do far more good than harm.

I usually ask the privilege of taking over the entire Sunday-school hour, except Primary and Beginner groups, confide my plan to the pastor and superintendent only, pull for an on-time record, preach as soon after the opening as possible, start my invitation by 10:45 a.m., and do our work around the altar at the usual worship hour. This gives the people who are not particularly interested a chance to get out early. God has greatly blessed this method.

Brief Suggestions

Ask, "How many unsaved are here who believe the Bible? If you do, come give me your hand and return to your seat."

Invite everyone in the audience who is especially interested in someone now in the service to come and stand around the altar. Then ask, "All who would like an interest in the prayers of these Christians, will you come and stand (or kneel) with them for a closing prayer?"

Calling all mothers in the audience who have unsaved children to come and kneel and then making an appeal to those who are unsaved has proved effective, especially in reaching unsaved children who may be present.

I have at times used this to advantage, "If you have loved ones (or a mother) in heaven and you hope to meet them someday, come and kneel with us for one prayer."

Sentiment

Do not be afraid of being sentimental. Do not be finicky about making an appeal based on mother, home, and heaven. Some hearts can be touched in no other way.

The fact that the most popular type of songs on the air are sentimental songs, many built around the theme of mother, home, and heaven; the fact that some singers of such songs are making close to a million dollars a year, proves that sentiment still moves hearts, and we can use the right kind to win people to Christ.

Ask all who were converted after they were fifty to stand. There will not be many and it will greatly help in driving home the fact, "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

If you can get Christians to turn and speak to someone standing near them, it will often mean a lot. Many a soul needs just that personal touch to start him on the way to the road of life.