church is not bound by time

If your church is anything at all like my church, the weekly Sunday services go as such -

worship. [it's a baptist church, far from primitive, so we do indeed use acoustic and electric guitars, keyboard, drums, etc.
prayer. Personally, I feel like my church prayers use a lot of jargon and so called 'good sounding words' to enhance the mood, but what's said is really nothing so meaningful.]
more worship. [they're pretty good, I've gotta say.]
prayer. [more church jargon]
more worship.
prayer.
short media clip.
sermon. [I like the pastor a lot.]
altar call. [we'll get to this]
'the little bowl thing that is passed around' time. [aka -offering]
introducing new christians and members of the church.
announcements.
worship.
- end -

I don't recall ever fully 'belonging' to a church. I've moved too often, and my family never could seem to get rooted in a church we all liked. Granted, church is supposed to be more than just 'liking' it, but I think you know what I mean. Anyways, I also don't recall any church I've been to (except a few catholic ones) not having an altar call. As I'm sure you know, an altar call is towards the end of the sermon where the dramatic music is cued and the pastor starts calling on any lost souls in the sanctuary. It's a call to make an outward step of faith to the congregation. This once never bothered me. But now it does. Why? Because I think it's kind of lame to have only three minutes, or as long as the worship team plays "Come Just as You are", to make that decision and go out in front of everybody. I feel like it's more of a spontaneous decision rather than a true pull from God. Granted, I cannot state that for everyone. I'm sure some people really were called on by the Lord and really were transformed. Yet I still cannot agree with the concept behind the altar call. Nobody needs to leave their seat to accept Christ. The person still kneeling at the altar when the music stops doesn't need to be told awkwardly by the pastor that 'deacon Chuck will take you to the back room to get more information' in order to move the service along. I just don't agree with it. I don't want my coming to Christ to be on a time schedule where if the music starts to fade, oops, better get saved next week.

I also wish churches would stop with the drama, effects, and enhancements during these calls. Jack Hyles, a prominent figure of the Independent Baptist movement is quoted as saying:

“Many of us in our preaching will make such statements as, ‘Now, in conclusion’; ‘Finally, may I say’; ‘My last point is . . .’ These statements are sometimes dangerous. The sinner knows five minutes before you finish; hence he digs in and prepares himself for the invitation so that he does not respond. However, if your closing is abrupt and a lost person does not suspect that you are about finished, you have crept up on him and he will not have time to prepare himself for the invitation. Many people may be reached using this method.”

I don't want trickery. I don't want methods of salvation.

“When a person truly understands that God is responsible for the effectual call, all the gimmicks, gadgets, and psychological trickery that men have resorted to in our day will be regarded as futile . . . Long invitations, ‘altar calls,’ and emotional appeals do not bring men to Christ, God does (I Cor. 2:4-5).” Tom Ross

I also want [gosh, I sure am wanting a lot. selfish much?] church to be about church, not about getting people in, giving the message, and getting them out to check it off the list. If the pastor has to worry about whether the congregation is paying attention, the congregation shouldn't be there. If you're thinking about lunch during the message, you shouldn't be there! Haha, and I'm being a hypocrite to the extreme here. I'm always thinking about lunch. I simply wish that church was open all day Sunday. You come because you want to come, not because you're
a) socially obligated
b) feeling guilty
c) a good, check it off the list, christian person

I want the pastor to speak all day, while those who wish to listen gather 'round. Kind of similar to how Jesus spoke. He didn't make a schedule or a time limit. He stayed around all day while people came and went.

Feel free to disagree, I'd love to hear some opposition.