We have all been there. You’re sitting in a pew, a lecture hall, or a conference room. The speaker is clearly brilliant. The research is impeccable. The slides are professional. But ten minutes in, you feel a fog descending. Your eyes are open, but your brain has checked out. You find yourself wondering what’s for dinner or checking your phone under the table. Why does this happen? Usually, it isn’t a lack of interest in the subject matter. It is a fundamental mismatch betwee

The altar call is a modern practice shaped by revival history. This article explores where it came from, what it was meant to do, and how it is often misunderstood or misused today, asking how churches can invite real response without replacing discipleship.

Introduction: Why this conversation matters now Recently, I listened to a speaker preaching from Scripture at a large Christian conference. The sermon was passionate, urgent, and clearly heartfelt. It carried real emotional weight, and many in the room were visibly moved. At the same time, as I listened, I found myself holding two reactions together. On the one hand, I recognised the hunger for renewal, courage, and spiritual seriousness that drove the message. On the other