Born again and again

When it was time to be installed as pastor in my first congregation, I was interviewed by members of a presbytery committee responsible for admitting new ministers. I was startled when one man asked me bluntly if I “preached for a decision.” I’m not sure exactly how I responded in that moment, but decades later I can answer his question with a confident yes. All gospel proclamation deserves and requires response—a decision.

Traditionally, in the evangelical world, that decision comes in response to an altar call. Craig Barnes’s affectionate memory of his father’s evangelical revival meetings raises the underlying question of how any of us come to Christian faith.

I was exposed to revivalism, including the tent variety, by next-door neighbors. We Buchanans were steady Presbyterians but didn’t get overheated about it; our neighbors were red-hot Baptists who went to church twice on Sunday and also on Wednesday evenings. They didn’t smoke, play cards, or go to movies. When evangelists came through town, they helped arrange revival meetings in their church or a large circus tent.