For Churches of Christ, the invitation has a long history — but not all embrace the tradition.
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. — Softly and tenderly, Jesus called this sinner home.
On March 13, 1977, I made my way to the front of the church and asked to be baptized. I was 9 years old.
I don’t recall the exact invitation song that Sunday. It might have been “Trust and Obey.” Or maybe “There’s a Fountain Free.” Those are two of my favorites.
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But I do remember that the preacher, Wendell Jackson, emphasized the need to give our lives to the Lord. He warned of spending an eternity in hell. He outlined the steps of salvation.
By that time in my young life, I had heard hundreds of sermons and never responded to the gospel message. But this one pricked my heart. And I did — much to the surprise of my parents.
Nearly half a century later, I was reminded of my experience when I received a note from Douglas A. Foster, professor emeritus of church history at Abilene Christian University in Texas.
Foster told me about a discussion of “the invitation” that came up during a church small-group meeting.
This column appears in the October print edition of The Christian Chronicle.
Photo by Erik Tryggestad
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