the teachings of Dr Gill

[MrDanger]

Now I have never been to a Graham crusade but am told that there are countless reps. present from across the denominational spectrum that are more than eager to counsel and further discipline those that are converted or interested in becoming Christians. Of course I am sure that everyone that makes the walk down the "aisle" does not really repent either.

Have been to one and you are correct sir. Several people from our church did work in that position. There was also follow up with those that gave their information trying to find out if they have plugged into a church, etc.

[EagerBeaver]

Now I have never been to a Graham crusade but am told that there are countless reps. present from across the denominational spectrum that are more than eager to counsel and further discipline those that are converted or interested in becoming Christians. Of course I am sure that everyone that makes the walk down the "aisle" does not really repent either.

Have been to one and you are correct sir. Several people from our church did work in that position. There was also follow up with those that gave their information trying to find out if they have plugged into a church, etc.

Well yeah, that's what the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association exists for.

What I was saying is that I'm sure a large majority of people that give their hearts to Christ in those crusades sadly have no follow-up and they don't know where to go from just the initial conversion point.

[MrDanger]

What I was saying is that I'm sure a large majority of people that give their hearts to Christ in those crusades sadly have no follow-up and they don't know where to go from just the initial conversion point.

Stupid converts. They should automatically know to how to live like Jesus.

[crispfin]

Stupid converts. They should automatically know to how to live like Jesus.

Amen! Anything they need to know the Spirit'll tell them. And if they're a woman they should just ask their husbands (I Cor. 13:35).

Sisters, please don't kill me for that last one.

[Full Quiver]

Sorry but I guess I'll go here.

Amen! Anything they need to know the Spirit'll tell them.

Since we all always say we ain't perfect, we got a ways to go, I don't have all truth, I make mistakes everyday, etc. then what makes us capable of teaching these new converts how to LIVE like Jesus when we are so often not LIVING like Jesus?

Where did the Apostle Paul learn to live like Jesus? Who taught him? I seem to remember him stowing away into the desert for 3 years and not speaking with any man. Afterwards he wrote most of the NT which is where we supposedly get our info on how to LIVE like Jesus. Why listen to a man that refused to listen to men after his conversion?

[EagerBeaver]

What I was saying is that I'm sure a large majority of people that give their hearts to Christ in those crusades sadly have no follow-up and they don't know where to go from just the initial conversion point.

Stupid converts. They should automatically know to how to live like Jesus.

No follow-up (read: sometimes they get reached and maybe some get discipled for a while afterwards but a lot of people fall back afterwards because they don't get the help they need).

[paul]

What I was saying is that I'm sure a large majority of people that give their hearts to Christ in those crusades sadly have no follow-up and they don't know where to go from just the initial conversion point.

Stupid converts. They should automatically know to how to live like Jesus.

No follow-up (read: sometimes they get reached and maybe some get discipled for a while afterwards but a lot of people fall back afterwards because they don't get the help they need).

Revival's, crusades, healing meetings are all events. They are geared to bring people to the knowledge of Christ through Salvation, and to feel his compassion in healing.

Events will not grow your church, or the church in the community uless their is a process implemented to assimulate and disciple the converts through the local church.

This has always been the greatest area of difficulty. More so for some. The BG crusades always worked hard to overcome this obsticle. Maybe with not as great a success as any of us would like.

In the past 10-15 years overseas missions have made drastic changes in their approach to crusades. For our crusades we hold meetings with all the pastors in the city ( all that will join us). Planning committees, followup programs. The problem in the past is that their were not enough strong leaders and Pastors and churches to help disciple the converts.

I am a Revivalist, that is who I am, no apologies. I have had to make many adjustments over the past several years. Most of our efforts are being directed to building strong local churches and Pastors, dynamic youth programs and childrens programs. Equipping them to disciple the new convert. it is a dawnting task, but one that must be addressed.

Our first major hurddel is to overcome the silly jealousy that divides the pastors and churches. Who get the credit, who gets the convert. don't have the answers, but sure working on it.

I know that Dr. Ron having been an incredible Revivalist could no doubt write a book on the subject.

[MacUser]

Billy's ministry is awesome imho and I would rather error on the side of the attempted ministry and attempts to spread the basic simple Gospel.. rather than not.

Can you imagine the souls reached if we as a organization / local churches focused on that basic message.. rather than satisfy our religious peer pressure groups and club mentality.

[Pastor Gary]

What I was saying is that I'm sure a large majority of people that give their hearts to Christ in those crusades sadly have no follow-up and they don't know where to go from just the initial conversion point.

When I served on a planning committee for a local stadium crusade, I learned the generally accepted statistic is that less than 4% of those who "come forward" can be found in a local church one year later.

There are reasons given; mostly lack of effective follow-up and a new believers discipleship plan in the community. (Other reasons? Some people are coming forward with a friend, but not actually making a decision to follow Christ... the first wave of people in the stadium coming forward are volunteers and prayer counselors prompted to move first to break the ice and make it easier for others to follow... some people lie: they put fake contact info on the decision card because they want to know Jesus but don't want to know his followers!)