Amen, and amen! I have long wished, for the reasons stated in this article, that we would drop that tradition. I'll add one more reason. Several times in my experience I have studied with a sinner and when we reached the point of decision, the person agreed that he needed to obey the gospel but wanted to "wait until Sunday" because that seemed to them a more appropriate time to do it. It is my judgment that we have so emphasized "the invitation" at our assemblies that we have unwittingly created an environment in which some think that the end of the sermon is the only time (or at least the best time) to obey the gospel.
When I decided I needed to obey the gospel, I met with the preacher on a Monday evening expressing my desire to be baptized and after a conversation, he told me, “just respond to the invitation on Sunday morning.”
I know sometimes people choose to wait a day (or few) because they want other family members present. But, if someone is ready to be baptized and waiting on the preacher, that seems like a "same hour of the night" situation (cf. Acts 16:33).
I read this several days ago when Jack posted it. Thank you for expounding on the idea even more. Traditions of men that have entered the Church seldom die, no matter of their usefulness or success. I, like you , have no idea how a preacher would end a sermon. :)
Traditions die hard.
And hard times make traditions die easier.
May it be so, for those traditions that no longer serve a good purpose, as you mentioned.
With 1950's in the rearview, we may be headed more toward the A.D. 50's, given the increasingly pagan culture.
No doubt you're right. It's just around the corner.
Amen, and amen! I have long wished, for the reasons stated in this article, that we would drop that tradition. I'll add one more reason. Several times in my experience I have studied with a sinner and when we reached the point of decision, the person agreed that he needed to obey the gospel but wanted to "wait until Sunday" because that seemed to them a more appropriate time to do it. It is my judgment that we have so emphasized "the invitation" at our assemblies that we have unwittingly created an environment in which some think that the end of the sermon is the only time (or at least the best time) to obey the gospel.
Invitation is always open...until it expires.
When I decided I needed to obey the gospel, I met with the preacher on a Monday evening expressing my desire to be baptized and after a conversation, he told me, “just respond to the invitation on Sunday morning.”
I wonder if he was desperate to finally have a successful invitation.
Well he did get two for one. My wife also requested to be restored.
I know sometimes people choose to wait a day (or few) because they want other family members present. But, if someone is ready to be baptized and waiting on the preacher, that seems like a "same hour of the night" situation (cf. Acts 16:33).
Really thought-provoking.
I read this several days ago when Jack posted it. Thank you for expounding on the idea even more. Traditions of men that have entered the Church seldom die, no matter of their usefulness or success. I, like you , have no idea how a preacher would end a sermon. :)
Sermon wrap-up technique sans an invitation would be a new skill to learn for us who have never done differently.
A rare thing to hear invitations here after sermons. Come observe and hear. Oh, I'll translate for you.