altar call: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Religious
Quick answer
What does “altar call” mean?
A public invitation at the end of a Christian, usually evangelical, service for attendees to come forward to make a new commitment to faith, repent of sins, or rededicate their lives to God.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A public invitation at the end of a Christian, usually evangelical, service for attendees to come forward to make a new commitment to faith, repent of sins, or rededicate their lives to God.
A ritualized moment of decision-making and public declaration within a religious gathering. By extension, can refer to any urgent, emotionally charged appeal for a public commitment or decision, though this is metaphorical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The practice and term are more prevalent and culturally embedded in American evangelicalism, particularly in the Southern and Midwestern US. In the UK, it is primarily associated with specific evangelical, Pentecostal, or Methodist traditions.
Connotations
In the US, it often carries connotations of mass revivalism (e.g., Billy Graham). In the UK, it may be perceived as a more distinct marker of a particular charismatic or non-conformist church style.
Frequency
The term is significantly more frequent in American English due to the larger cultural footprint of public evangelicalism.
Grammar
How to Use “altar call” in a Sentence
The preacher VERB (gave/made) an altar call.Several people VERB (responded to/heeded) the altar call.The service CONJ (concluded/ended) with an altar call.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “altar call” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vicar will altar-call at the end of the revival meeting.
- They altar-called for nearly twenty minutes.
American English
- The evangelist altar-called after his sermon.
- Many churches altar-call at the end of every service.
adverb
British English
- The service concluded altar-call style.
- He preached altar-call passionately.
American English
- She invited them forward very altar-call.
- The meeting ended rather altar-call.
adjective
British English
- The altar-call hymn was 'Just As I Am'.
- It was a powerful altar-call moment.
American English
- He used an altar-call approach in his preaching.
- The altar-call music softened.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable. Would only be used metaphorically (e.g., 'The CEO made an altar call for the managers to commit to the new strategy.').
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, or sociology of religion contexts to describe a specific ritual practice.
Everyday
Very rare outside of religious communities. Unlikely in general conversation.
Technical
A technical term within homiletics (art of preaching) and liturgics of evangelical Christianity.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “altar call”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “altar call”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “altar call”
- Misspelling as 'alter call' (to change).
- Using it to refer to any general request in a speech.
- Confusing it with a call for monetary donations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An altar call is an invitation for a personal commitment, often involving coming to the front of the church. Communion (Eucharist) is a specific sacrament involving bread and wine.
No. It is most common in evangelical, Pentecostal, Baptist, and non-denominational Protestant churches. It is generally not practiced in Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican/Episcopalian, or many mainline Protestant liturgies.
Yes, but only metaphorically. It describes any intense, public appeal for a firm commitment (e.g., 'The manager made an altar call for the team to pledge to the new targets'). This usage is stylistic and relatively rare.
They physically walk to the front (altar) of the church or venue. There, they may pray silently, pray with a counselor, kneel, or sometimes speak aloud about their decision. It is a public act symbolising a private spiritual step.
A public invitation at the end of a Christian, usually evangelical, service for attendees to come forward to make a new commitment to faith, repent of sins, or rededicate their lives to God.
Altar call is usually formal, religious in register.
Altar call: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɔːl.tə ˌkɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːl.tɚ ˌkɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Answer the altar call”
- “Come forward at the altar call”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a church ALTAR, and the preacher CALLing people to come to it. ALTAR + CALL = the call to come to the altar.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPIRITUAL DECISION IS A PHYSICAL JOURNEY (towards the altar). PUBLIC COMMITMENT IS MOVING FORWARD.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'altar call' most accurately and literally used?