02.04. Songs
4. SONGS
Choose your own invitation songs. However, do not have the number announced, as this starts people looking for the song and greatly distracts their attention. It is best to choose a familiar song, so that searching for it will not be necessary
Changing Songs
If people are responding during the song you have selected, be slow to change it. Sing it over and over. If there is a lull in the response, a change of song may help. I have used the same song for twenty minutes; at other times I have used a number of different songs during the same length of time.
The Last Stanza
I have heard a young evangelist say three times in one service, "This is positively the last stanza we will sing." This was very unwise, as it left him wide open to be called insincere and to be accused of lying.
People often respond, either in coming for prayer or in doing personal work, when what they think will be the last stanza is being sung. If you make a statement as the one just related, then see you have made a mistake, either quit as you promised or apologize by saying: "I have made a mistake. I am sorry and, if you will pardon me, I would like to continue the invitation." This will put you in the clear and will head off any who may be watching for something to criticize.
A Better Way
It is much better in bringing your invitation to a close to say, "If there is no move among Christians to do personal work," or, "If no one comes to the altar, this is the last stanza." Or a still better way is to say, "This is the last full verse and chorus we will sing." Then if there seems to be a need of extending the invitation, you are free to repeat the chorus as often as you wish.
Split Chorus
There are some choruses which are very singable if cut in two. If you wish to emphasize the fact that you are bringing your invitation nearer the end, say, "This is the last full chorus we will sing." I have had many respond after such a statement as we sang over and over the part chorus, "I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way," or the last few words of the old song, "Don’t turn the Saviour away from your heart, don’t turn Him away."
Last Appeal on Last Night
On bringing to a close the last invitation on the last night I have often used the following song and exhortation with good results: "I am giving my last invitation to you; we are going to sing our last song. In a little while the meeting will be over and we will all be gone, never to meet this way again this side of the judgment. I may never see any of you again, but I have learned to know and appreciate you. If I know my heart, it is wrapped up in that grand old farewell hymn, ’God Be with You till We Meet Again.’ We are going to sing it; it is the last song. How many are there here who will grant me the privilege of praying for you one time before I go? Maybe you did not plan to come to the altar, but will you reconsider and grant me this privilege? I could leave with a lighter heart if you would. Come for one prayer." I have had scores respond to this appeal. If you make such a proposition, be sure to pray the first prayer.
Good Songs
The invitation songs I have used most often across the years are: "Almost Persuaded," "Softly and Tenderly," "Where He Leads Me," "Don’t Turn Him Away," "Just as I Am," and "Tell Mother I’ll Be There."
After bringing an evangelistic message on death, I have used the old song "Nearer, My God, to Thee" with good results.
"Just Inside the Eastern Gate" has proved very effective for the invitation following a sermon on heaven.
A Good Closing
The closing night of a revival, after the last altar service is over, after the stranger, the indifferent church member, and those who may be only slightly interested are gone, it always leaves a good feeling in the church to have the young converts and the people remaining to form a circle, join hands, and sing "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."
This usually stirs the emotions and leaves a good impression in the minds of the people which will long be remembered.