OFIB Preacher

You both claim to be Independent Fundamental Baptist on your profiles. Yet you both are demanding answers for solutions to these problems. Why don't you ask your own churches? If you want answers from us in addition to the answers your own churches then fine but first, perhaps you can introduce yourselves to the forum by posting your testimonies in the new members section. Who are you both? When and how were you saved? What churches do you go to? Are you involved at you local church? Perhaps if you both are more open about who you all are then the forum members may be more helpful.
Galatians 4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

They are safer in an IFB church than they would be down at the bowling alley. I'd take your chances with the Bible-believers.

I mean, seriously, are there child predators in the public school system? Of course there are, but the media is not emphasizing those stories. We are in the last days, and these things are all part and parcel of the conditions before the Lord returns. Jesus said that it would be as it was in the days of Lot . . . and we see the homosexual agenda almost everywhere . . . don't go into a bathroom at Target stores . . . better off, stay away from Target all together.

Our local churches certainly need to be watchful, and not get themselves into a position where they have to hire people that are novices, and untested. As churches allow the state to dictate anything they do (such as in "Christian schools" the chances of bad eggs increase. But we need to face the reality that the Devil seeks to destroy the work of God anywhere and everywhere he can. Bible-preaching churches are high on his list.

Not all Israel are Israel, and not all Christians are Christians, and the Devil will always have his "angels of light."

Each IFB church is an "independent fundamental Baptist" church. They are autonomous, as there is no ruling body where all the churches report to. These churches may, and often do, belong to a "fellowship" where churches of like-minded faith and practice have a loose affiliation. What goes on in church A has no bearing on what is happening in church B, and there is no overseeing 'bishop' as you might find in a synod or presbytery.

So my answer didn't address the OP?
Absolutely wrong. It just didn't address it in a way that allowed you to respond in the way you want.
The point Independent Baptists are not an organized group. What happens in one church has no bearing on what another church is doing.
Kinda like saying you must have an opinion on murders in red brick homes because you live in a red brick home.
It has nothing to do with you except that live in a house built of the same stuff.
And the manner of your question certainly does appear to be a fishing expedition. You may not have intended that, but that is the way it looks.

Ignores the other answers and pokes around at just this one....... wonder what kind of fishing rod, what grade line, what rig he is using?
Problem for the reporter is that when someone says "anything like this should be dealt with by the proper authorities" it doesn't make for a good story.
And yet, pretty much every Independent Baptist preacher I know would agree with that statement.
The very few that wouldn't need to be investigated by the proper authorities.

Just curious, are you a reporter looking to get a quote for a story you might be running? It looks like you are on a fishing expedition.

Yes and I heard an outstanding message on that very subject from Pastor Larry Winkler, a few weeks ago and look forward to posting it on my Sermon.net Page/Podcast, right after our upcoming Revival Meeting next week!  It's called The Thief's Creed or (The Theology Of The Dying Thief).

Good point Brother Foley.  These things have/do happen, but to rehash them over and over again, especially up here, is pointless, save for strife.

Yes and I heard an outstanding message on that very subject from Pastor Larry Winkler, a few weeks ago and look forward to posting it on my Sermon.net Page/Podcast, right after our upcoming Revival Meeting next week!  It's called The Thief's Creed or (The Theology Of The Dying Thief).

We call it an invitation, but it is not every week. 
One thing has always bugged me is when the invitation goes on and on and you eventually get the feeling that someone has gone forward just to satisfy the preacher.
Make a call to invitation, if no one comes forward, close it. But allow the Lord to lead you - if you really feel as though the Lord would have you continue, then do so.

Because of our small size we do not have an "alter call" but I do say to get a hold of me after the service if they need to be dealt with on a matter. While there are abuses and misunderstandings of its purpose (as with anything) its actually not a bad practice. An alter is basically a place where you give something over to the LORD. The Levitical sacrifices for example were about: 1. Giving your whole life to God or dedicating yourself to a specific purpose (burnt offering) 2. Giving your tithes or first fruits (Meat offering) 3. Making peace with God on an issue (peace offering) 4. Giving over a sin to God and asking forgiveness for committing it (Sin offering) 5. Asking forgiveness for not reverencing something holy or for treating a holy thing in a common way (trespass offering). All of these are now dealt with at or around the "Lord's table" instead of an actual alter.

IB churches that give "altar calls" are using the words symbolically, Invicta, not literally. We do not call it that, my husband simply opens up a time for anyone who wishes to come to pray (and be prayed with, if desired). 
Romans 12:1 tells us to present ourselves a living sacrifice. Sacrifices were done on an altar. In all likelihood, that is at least partially where the idea came from - morphed from mourner's bench/anxious bench to altar call.
It's simply an invitation to come and immediately deal with whatever the Lord is dealing with someone about, whatever it might be called. Sadly, as has been mentioned, there are abuses of it. And there is no unwritten (or written, LOL) rule that a church must have one. No Nic has expressed it well - @No Nicolaitans, hubs and I would agree with you.
There are Baptist churches that do not give any kind of invitation, regardless of name, because they believe it contradicts the gospel of graces, particularly that of total depravity/inability.

As I said:
 

The altar in IB churches is a totally different thing to Catholic church altars, as I think most of understand (not all apparently....).
There are two streams of Anglican churches - the High Anglican Church is Catholic without the Pope - as you described; the other stream is sometimes called the low Anglican church, most often known as evangelical Anglican - they are closer to us in general form, not as ritualistic as High Anglican/Catholic. Some of them even preach the Gospel. But in general they hold to the same basic doctrines as the high Anglican - in other words, false doctrines.

Brother McWhorter,
The "mourner's bench"- "anxious bench" had a bit deeper history and meaning (especially for more Calvinistic system's of belief).  However, overall your answer was quite solid; and I can stand in overall agreement.

Hi Thief on the Cross.
I will give you my view on it; others' views may differ.
 
 
First, I'm not sure how the area (that you're referring to) became known as "the altar". At one time, it was called things like "the mourner's bench". Charles Finney called it "the anxious bench".
Those latter two names will give you the significance of it. Basically, the idea and purpose for it is that it gives a person (who may be under conviction) the opportunity to respond to that conviction at the earliest possible moment after hearing the word of God preached. The idea being, that if a person possibly waits, they may (or may not) make a decision in response to God's word.
 
 
That's a good question. I personally believe that to call that area "the altar" isn't really in keeping with the biblical use of the term. The altar was the place (in the Old Testament) where animals were sacrificed and slain. There was also the altar of incense.
Various people also built altars in the Old Testament prior to the institution of the law. I don't recall if any of those altars were used for anything other than sacrificing animals. They may have been; I just don't recall right now.
In the New Testament (aside from the four gospels), the only altars that are mentioned which aren't for Israel's sacrificing of animals are...
1. An altar to false gods in Acts 17.
2. An altar mentioned in Hebrews 13 that belongs to "us". I think most people would say that this altar is the cross of Christ since that is where he was slain.
3. The altar of God in heaven in Revelation.
Now aside from that, is there a biblical reason for doing this? I would say that's up to the individual church...
My reasons in favor of it:
1. When the people heard the word of the Lord read in Nehemiah 8, they immediately acted upon it.
2. When the keeper of the prison asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved, he was told and immediately acted upon it.
Now, it must be understood that in those two examples, there wasn't "an altar" (as we're referring to). They heard the word of God and immediately acted on it. So, people can still act on what they've heard from God's word without an "altar". My main reason for using those examples is that it (the altar call) gives people the opportunity to act immediately after hearing the word of God. However, the actual "acting on God's word" takes place in our daily lives.
My reasons against it...
There is nothing in the bible (that I know of) to describe what we know as today's altar call.
At the same time, there is nothing in God's word describing a Sunday School, Church Choirs, Assistant Pastors, etc. There are many things done today that fall under what I would call "Christian Liberty". There may not be anything expressly supporting them in scripture; however, there isn't anything expressly forbidding them either. So churches are at liberty to use them.
My concern (apart from the name itself) is that "the altar call" has become more than it was intended to be. Some use that time to pressure people. Some use it as a way of measuring a successful sermon. Some use it as a way to compare themselves with other churches. I want to stress "some"...not all!
Now keep in mind, these are my thoughts on it. Others may disagree. In fact, if anyone knows that I'm mistaken in any part of this, I would hope they would point that out to me so that I can make it right.

Baptism is a church ordinance, it is considered the first step of obedience for the newly saved Christian. But it does not stand alone, any Scriptural responsible church would not Baptize and then just turn the newly saved person loose to be at the mercy of any teaching that happens by. We are responsible to disciple those we Baptize, not just turn them loose.
 Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 
 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 
 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 
This can only be accomplished in a local church setting that places the newly saved person in a place of church membership and accountability.
To my mind finding a Scriptural New Testament Church should be of utmost importance, this is the only entity that is authorized to Baptize. You can find some so-called church, or pastor to Baptize you, but the real concern should be; is that baptism valid?

If you have trusted Christ as your Saviour, then baptism is a good and proper thing to do, and a good thing to be desired. But you need to be certain that you are not desiring it because you think, in any way, that it will help assure your salvation. Baptism is a work - a thing we can do in obedience to God - thus to reliance on it in the least little bit for grace for salvation means that a person is not relying wholly and completely on Christ for salvation. And if we are depending on anything other than Christ alone as the propitiation for our sin (there's a good word to study!), then we are not truly saved. 

The thief on the cross was never baptized, yet he went to be with the Lord.
 

Yes, a mere heart belief in the Lord Jesus as your Saviour would save your soul.

Well, sadly today many churches are getting away from teaching bible doctrine and expositing the scriptures. Southern Baptist Churches today are filled with compromise, OnlineBaptist here is made up of Independant Fundamental Baptists, we are distinct and separate from Southern Baptists.
 
https://www.wayoflife.org/database/whynotsbc.html
 

Just an FYI, Eustace - the Church of England is Protestant and falls under the definition of sect in that it separated from the RCC way back.
Independent Baptist churches are dependent upon Christ and His Word. Yes, there is the possibility of going astray - many of us on this site can point to Baptist churches that have turned from following the Bible and begun following emotions/culture. But here's the beauty of not having a denominational headquarters: independent churches don't HAVE to follow rules set by a man or a group who "leads" an entire denomination. 

My thoughts:
1. Sexual abuse is ALWAYS wrong and as a criminal act should ALWAYS have the proper authorities involved.
2. Whatever it is that you are referencing has nothing to do with the church that I am a member of.

I, for one would rather not dwell on the morbid. I am not denying that things like this happen, but do not see the need to drag them out and examine them as a simple point of interest on a message board. 
 Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

We are members of Pleasant View Baptist Church, McQuady, KY, Pastor Dale Massengale!  http://pleasantviewky.net