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EFFECTIVEM I N I S T R YELECT LADY MELANNIE BROWNWWW.MELANNIEDBROWN.COM BROWNMELANNIE@GMAIL.COMALTAR CALLALTAR CALLWASHINGTON STATE JURISDICTIONCHURCH OF GOD IN CHRISTTRAINING DAYTRAINING DAYBISHOP ALVIN C. MOORE, SR.JURISDICTIONAL PRELATEMOTHER GWENDOLYN LAWSON-TOWNSENDJURISDICTIONAL SUPERVISORFACILITATORDR.DENNIS MCCAINDIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAND TRAININGWSJ COGIC IDOE ELECT LADYCOGIC IDOE REGIONAL ELECT LADY (REGION 6)

Recognizing that Jesus is the solution to man'sproblemsKeeping self out of itDirecting focus to JesusBorn Again and HOLY-GHOST FILLED.Understand the work of the Holy Ghost and theWarfare of SatanEffective Prayer LifeGift of DiscernmentPossess Victory in Manifestation over Habits.Living a consistent life inside and outside ofthe churchHaving a passion for God and peopleUnderstanding the importance of altar ministryBeing prepared before praying with othersHonoring the leadership of the meetingDressing moderatelyHaving good hygieneBarriers, navigating the legal aspectsMental and emotional traumaLay on hands vs not laying on handsPost PandemicSocial MediaEFFECTIVE ALTAR MINISTRY

ALTARTHE PLACE OF TRANSFORMATIONPURPOSE – POSITION - HOW TO FLOWADJUSTMENTS INLIFETRIGGERED BYAUTHORIZEDREGULATIONSTHE ALTAR IS WHERE CHALLENGES, CHANGES, CHARACTER, ANDCHAMPION ATTITUDES ARE FORGED FOR THE EXPANSION OF THEKINGDOM OF GOD AND FOR EXPERIENCING AND ENJOYING THEKINGDOM LIFESTYLE. THE ALTAR CAN HELP SUSTAIN THE MINISTRY!4 LAWS OF THE ALTARADJUST: CORRECTAMEND: CHANGEAGREE: COMPLYASSIMILATE: CONFIRM• DISTRACTIONS AT THE ALTAR CAN DISTURB THE FLOW OF THEANOINTING• ALTAR WORKERS IN THE WAY, • PEOPLE NOT POSITIONED CORRECTLY • ALTAR WORKERS NOT ALERT OR PAYING ATTENTION, • THAT CAN BREAK THE FLOW OF THE ANOINTING• IF PROPERLY TRAINED THE WORKERS CAN FLOW SEAMLESSLY WITHTHE PROPER TRAININGALL TO WORKER QUALIFICATIONS SCRIPTURE REFERENCE ACTS 6:3,ACTS 11:22-24• THESE PARTICULAR SCRIPTURES ARE GUIDELINES FOR DEACONS, BUTALSO FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD, HONESTREPORT, FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST, FULL OF WISDOM, FREE OF SIN IFYOU KNOW THAT YOU OBVIOUSLY PARTICIPATING IN SIN OR HAVE AHEAVY BURDENS OR WEIGHTS THAT WOULD BE A REASON NOT TOPARTICIPATE IN THE WORK OF THE ALTAR- (TRANSFER OF SPIRITS•

ALTAR CAPTAIN• THERE TO HELP CONTROL TRAFFIC AND FLOW• HELP TO ELIMINATE CHAOS AND CLUTTER ALSO TOKEEP THINGS FLOWING• ALTAR WORKERS SHOULD TAKE THEIR DIRECTIONS FROMTHE ALTAR CAPTAIN• THE CAPTAIN SHOULD HELP ASSIGN THE ALTARWORKER'S POSITION DURING THE ALTAR CALLINTERCESSORS CATCHERS DISTRIBUTORS OF CLOTHS DISTRIBUTORS OF TISSUE SECURITY TEAM (WATCHERS)

 

I. WHAT IS AN ALTARUpon entering the curtain surrounding that ancientsanctuary (Moses Tabernacle), the "Altar of BurntOffering" or Brazen Altar, was the first object that aworshipper would notice. It stood just inside the entrywayand was accessible to everyone! The Altar was constructedand framed in wood covered with brass and sufficient tohold any offering that might be placed upon it. There was a fire continually burning, continually smokingfrom the sacrifices, renewed daily, that were placed uponit. The fire on the altar had a two-fold meaning, in which itproclaimed the Holiness and Justice of God's “PURITY” andwas symbolic of His readiness to receive the sacrificialoffering of the people to cleanse them from their sin.The Altar was always blood-stained and open round-the-clock to any individual. It was situated in such a way thateveryone who entered the interior of the Tabernacle hadto pass, the "Altar" and take its sacrificial blood to beaccepted into the Holy Place.The word altar means “High Place” and was a place ofsacrifice in which something or someone had to die andthe place where man would meet God. Before the Priestwent before God in the Old Testament, an innocent lambwould be sacrificed to bore the judgment of the guilty.The Priests would lay their hands upon the head of theoffering symbolizing their sins being transferred to theoffering and the life of the offering being transferred tothem. The altar is what gave value to the sacrifice.Therefore, it was Jesus giving Himself as a ransom for thesins of mankind that gave value to His sacrifice.

History records the building of altars before any Patriarchwent before the presence of God. In the Old Testamentscriptures, you will find that altars were:Built by Noah (Genesis 8:20)Built by Abraham (Genesis 12:7-8; Genesis 13:18; Genesis 22:9)Built by Isaac (Genesis 26:25)Built by Jacob (Genesis 33:20; Genesis 35:1-7)Built by Moses (Exodus 17:15; Exodus 24:4) Built byBalaam (Numbers 23:1; Numbers 23:14; Numbers 23:29)Built by Joshua (Deuteronomy 27:4-7; Joshua 8:30-32)Built by Reubenites and Gadites (Joshua 22:10; Joshua22:34)Built by Gideon (Judges 6:26-27)Built by Samuel (1 Samuel 7:17)Built by Saul (1 Samuel 14:35)Built by David (2 Samuel 24:18-19)Built by Elijah (1 Kings 18:31-32)II. THE ALTAR WORKERIn the Old Testament, the Altar Workers were theindividuals who assisted the Priest during the sacrificeand had the most important job of all the people. Theywere responsible for cleaning the altar and ensuring thatthe fire of the altar never went out (Leviticus 6:13).Today, the Altar Workers mainly include Evangelist, Elders,Ministers, and Missionaries. Sometimes Deaconess, otherLeaders, and Laymen may be properly trained andanointed for the service of Altar Workers. Mostimportantly, the significance and responsibility of theAltar Worker must remain the same in the sight of God.Therefore, the heart and attitude of the Altar Workershould be established with grace.

III. THE FUNCTION OF THE ALTAR WORKERAltar Work consists of more than holding a sheet orgarment or catching an individual when they are slain bythe Holy Ghost. The person going forth in this area needsto know this is a very largeresponsibility and must have a clear understanding of theseriousness and importance of this ministry.The primary function of the Altar Worker is to assist thePastor or Conductor by ministering and praying for thosewho have a special request before the Lord such asacceptance of Jesus Christ, the filling of the Holy Ghost,and the receiving of healing or deliverance. As they prayfor special needs, they should display love, reflectingassurance and confidence in God.Normally, after the Pastor or Conductor has prayed, theAltar Worker must seal the work by a continuation ofprayer with the individual; guiding the individual to dealdirectly with God.Altar Workers must learn to identify the witness of theHoly Ghost. The Spirit will be sensitive to the AltarWorkers spirit thereby causing them to discern thedifference between right and wrong. The Altar Workersshould watch, pray, and listen carefully to individuals. Theymust never assume that they know the reason why theindividuals have come to the Altar.

The Altar Worker is to be spiritually alert in order toassist in the needs of an individual. As the Altar Workerprays with the individual, he or she must determine ifthere is a need to continue additional Altar Work. TheAltar Worker should not hesitate to ask another worker tojoin for assistance. Sometimes it may require theassistance of two or three Altar Workers to bring about abreakthrough or deliverance to an individual.The Altar Worker should always stay focused on theindividual and acknowledge that God is the one who incontrol of the Altar Call. Therefore, his or her faith orconfidence is in the blood of Jesus, and they speak ofGod’s Power and not their own. The individual needs toknow that it is God who has the power to heal and deliver.

DO’S AND DON'T'S FOR ALTAR WORKERSDO’SAltar Workers must have an effective Prayer LifeAltar Workers must show encouragement to theindividual.Altar Workers must focus on hearing rather than havingthe answer.Altar Workers must lean into spiritual understanding.Altar Workers must speak wisely; some phrases causeadditional problems.Altar Workers must approach the altar with a positiveattitude.Altar Workers must always be alert and attentive to theneeds of the individual.DON’TS Altar Workers should not leave the altar until the call isover.Altar Workers should not emphasize church membershipduring Altar work.Altar Workers should not lay hands unless instructed bythe Pastor and Conductor.Altar Workers should not go ahead of the Pastor orConductor.Altar Workers should not pat, fan, or rub hands all over aperson’s back.Altar Workers should not lift or stand as individuals untilthe Holy Spirit has finished!Altar Workers should not stop an individual from fallingduring the ministry of the Holy Spirit.Altar Workers should not crowd the altar area, Pastor, ordesignated Altar Conductor.Altar Workers should not be participants of the altarline; then proceed to work the altar.

Personal Etiquette:•  Be  prepared  –  Come  “prayed  up”  in  advance  and  full  ofthe  Holy  Spirit.  (Come  with  the  expectation  that  God  willheal) It’s critical to be prayed up as you come into serviceeach week. God desires to work through you in great waysas you pray over people’s needs and believe in miracles.•  Be  ready  –  Come  forward  quickly  when  the  invitation  isgiven (Sit close to the front).• Be modest – Dress appropriately. (Don’t want anything todistract from what God is doing)•  Be  friendly  –  Put  on  a  smile  and  put  people  at  ease.(People are coming down with very serious needs and needconfidence and reassurance)• Be attentive – Listen carefully to the individual’sneeds.• Be encouraging – Pray a prayer of faith and agreement wewant people to leave church encouragedAltar Etiquette:•  If  married,  only  pray  with  your  spouse.  However,  if  yourspouse is not in service with you be available to be pairedup with another prayer worker of the same sex.• If single, only pray with a person of the same sex (Must beapproved prayer team member).• Anoint with oil according to James 5:14• Be  Careful with  Anointing Oil  – Please  make sure youdon’t place the same hand used to anoint people on theirclothing.  This  could  leave  a  spot  on  their  clothes  that  isimpossible  to  clean.  Use  one  hand  for  anointing  and  theother to place on their shoulder.• Use discretion  in “laying on  of hands” with the  oppositesex.

• Keep It Short – Pray fervently but with brevity, Jesusspoke, and people were healed, and Scripture says that thesame power lives in us!• Signal for help if you are dealing with a difficultpersonality/situation (unruly person, demon possession,major distraction, etc.• Don’t use this as a counseling appointment. Encourage theperson to contact the church office if they feel they needcounseling. Altar Workers:• Do not dwell on what may appear to be defeat• Trust Jesus (He is sovereign, and we march under Hisbanner of victory)• Our responsibility is to go (it’s the Holy Spirit thatconfirms the Word with signs following)AND REMEMBER…To be an “EFFECTIVE” Altar Worker is to be trained andmost important be anointed by God to work in a ministry inthe body of Christ. Therefore, you should govern your lifeaccordingly, with a life of Holiness. There is a greatexpectancy of people who will respond to the Gospel ofChrist. When people respond effectively to the Gospel, itbrings about a significant change in the life of theindividual.