The Lutheran Church, as many are aware, does not offer such events in its public worship. Why don't they?

Very simply stated, the Lutheran Church views the Church as the assembly of the baptized. It is the normal and scriptural way that one enters the Church and thus becomes a believer in Christ.

Baptism is the means through which we are joined with the crucified and risen Christ, and given the power of the Holy Spirit. Nicodemus was told by Jesus in John 3 that one cannot enter the Kingdom unless they are "born of Water and Spirit." And the people who were drawn to the truth of Christ in Peter's Pentecost sermon were told at the end to "repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of [their] sins." Also, when Jesus commissioned his disciples to "make disciples of all nations," he did it by sending them out to baptize ....and teach all that I have commanded you..." Likewise, in Romans 6, Paul teaches that one is joined with the salvific events of Jesus' death and resurrection through baptism. Through baptism we are given the ability to "walk in newness of life." When Ananias went to Saul (later Paul) to tell him of the "Jesus who appeared to [him] on the road," he baptized him before he left the house. And again, when Philip shares the "good news of Jesus" with the Ethiopian eunuch who is on his way to Jerusalem to worship,it is the eunuch himself who asks to be baptized, understanding its necessity in ones relationship with Christ and thus his Church.

Lutherans, like other Christians, are very committed to the truth that salvation comes "by grace through faith" and "not of ourselves lest anyone should boast." We are quick to show how Jesus told us: "You did not choose me, but I chose you" (John 15:16) again demonstrating that it is not we who came to Christ through a personal decision, but God who initiated the relationship Himself by coming to us through the power of His Word with the cleansing waters of Holy Baptism.

"Altar Calls" make Lutherans nervous theologically because they point a person to their own decision for assurance, and not to the objective reality of God's action through baptism.

But what about a person who was baptized as an infant, but later
fell away from the faith? Doesn't that person need to have a true "conversion experience" to point to as assurance that they now have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

This question assumes that Baptism a.) is temporary in its effect in the life of a person, or b.) never really created saving faith to begin with. Many Christians do not believe that Baptism is a "means of grace" whereby God's Spirit created saving faith in Jesus Christ. They see it rather as a "testimony" of their faith in Christ. Lutherans on the other hand believe that saving faith is indeed created in the heart of even infants through the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

One can fall away from the faith, true enough. But does that nullify the promises of Baptism? No. Our faithlessness never nullifies the faithfulness of God. As Paul wrote to Timothy: "...if we are faithless, he remains faithful..." [2 Tim 213]. Also, when writing to the Romans he said concerning the unbelieving Jews: "What if some were unfaithful? Does that faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every man be false..." [Rom. 3:2,3].

If a person falls from faith and turns away from the Lord, but later,through the conviction of the Law comes to repentance, they are not to be turned inward on themselves, but outward to the sure and enduring promises made to them in the their baptism. They are to be reminded that like the good Father of Jesus' parable [Lk. 15:11f], our Heavenly Father has been waiting for us all along, ready to accept us back as the children he always considered us to be. Even while we are "still a long way off," he, who is "filled with compassion", runs out to meet us. The prodigal son did not consider himself worthy to be counted among his father's sons, and for good reason. Yet that did not nullify his status in the eyes of the Father. He was dead, and then alive, lost and then found. But still he was his son.

How much greater is the assurance of this enduring promise than trusting in our own feelings!

Daniel Erlander wrote in BAPTIZED WE LIFE: BAPTISM AS A WAY OF LIFE (Chelan, Washington: Holden Village, 1981), p. 4: "[We are not saved] by:....proving [God's] existence by the wonder of nature or the power of logic; validating God's presence by visible blessings; having a prescribed religious experience; .....building glorious religious institutions; reaching a high level of personal morality; [or] saving ourselves through status, wealth....In the baptismal water we died with Christ. We were crucified and buried in order that we might be raised with Christ to live the new life, to dwell in a new reality, a new order of existence. Because of Baptism we are Christians. Never does our status before God depend on...how we feel, having the right experience, being free of doubts, what we accomplish, our success or our position. We are Christians because God surprised us. Coming in water, God washed us and grafted us into Christ. Our identity for all the days of our life is set! We are children of God, priests of the King, disciples of Christ, a servant people, a holy nation, the communion of saints, the followers of the Way, proclaimers of the wonderful deeds of God...."

Finally, what about a person who was not baptized as an infant? Obviously they were not brought to faith through Baptism. So shouldn’t it be different for them?

Ultimately it is the Word through which the Holy Spirit works to create faith, even in Baptism (Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:2). Many come to faith through the preaching of the Word of God, and the Word of God works entirely at God’s initiative and direction (Is. 55:11.) It is still God coming to us and choosing us first. It is still God creating faith within us by pure grace. God does not depend on our actions before he can fully save us. Note that the “mass conversion” of the Jews on the Day of Pentecost is preceded by Peter’s preaching of the Word. And note as well that the thief on the cross makes his confession after listening to Jesus’ witness to the Truth. Thus, when Paul says that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:17) and when Jesus issues the invitation “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7), these actions, we observe, come by the Spirit’s working within us. For again, as Paul, writes: “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:3).