wr4f, Thanks for posting the link. I listened to it and was surprised to hear this type of a message from Southern Baptists. I had them incorrectly slotted with fairly extreme Calvinism.

What did I think ? Washer is a preacher with a message he really believes in and delivers with a lot of emotion. I believe he is biblical and we all need to hear this from time to time. His comments that it is not enough to "pray the prayer" is one that I hold to also. I have always said that a profession of faith that does not change a persons life is NOT how I understand the scriptures. Genuine faith in Christ is such that brings forth fruit and I believe all believers should show such in their life.

At our church, we seldom have an alter call, but we always urge/invite people to place their trust in Jesus and to a life of holy living. I have commended our pastor for his approach. There may be people sitting in our pews that will not "go forward", are not emotional types... but hear the message and say, "you know, this may be for me" and without "fanfare" seek further personal help. I see it happen all the time.

We must realize that it is God who saves and gives peace of mind; it is not the church, or the preacher, or the hellfire sermon... it is God working through the Holy Spirit in a persons life. And so we can dispense with the emotional "fanfare" as far as I am concerned. Not that a public profession is out of place, not at all; most, if not all of the public professions in our church are at baptisms which is a joyful time.

Some preachers, may place more emphasis on remorse/repentance then others; but we also must remember that to repent means to "change one's mind". Those who are used to "holiness churches" may need to repent from depending on their own righteousness... change their mind about themselves and place their total trust for salvation in Christ who alone saves. And those who are in "pray the prayer baptist" type churches, may really need such a message as Washer preaches above.

Different preachers have different gifts and so the church must give a balanced message.

Thanks again for the above link.

I listened to the whole thing last night. Wow! This man is preaching the gospel. To be painfully honest I have to say I squirmed a bit