Old methods of church growth outdated???

I have heard alot lately about how the times are changing, and if we are going to get people into the church, we must change too. It has been said how we must not let church traditions get in the way of growth. To an extent, I do agree with this, and it certainly sounds good on the surface.

Those who know me, know that I am a conservative Christian with dress standards. Let me make this plain right now, my salvation is not in my dress standards. You will not make it to Heaven by dressing different, or just changing the way you live. I believe in a heart religon--between God and you. You will make it to Heaven by asking Him for forgiveness for the things you have done wrong, and obeying him from there on--obeying what He tells you to do. Obedience to God is the key to the secret of Heaven's entrance.

In holiness churches, we also do somethings perhaps in someways different from more liberal churches. Somethings we begin to feel like somethings have to be or God cannot be there. In this context, I would agree with my first paragraph that we shouldnt let church tradition get in the way of growth. If God is in certain types of change, I am totally for it. So in our churches too, obedience to God is the key to growth.

Someone said we remember the great movings of God in the yesteryear, and we hear of them, and try to use the same methods as they used to make our churches grow today, and it doesnt work. It was said that we live in a new age, and must use new methods that appeal to people of today. Here is where I have my problem: the major reason for the great movings of God in the past, the major source of the great revivals, and major cause of church growth was PRAYER. I am sorry, friends, it is not outdated, and it STILL WORKS!! Your church may grow without it, but it will not grow spiritually. You can get people in with entertaining singing, extra fellowships and parties, maybe some video, etc..., but these things do not build spirituality. Prayer and obedience make powerful tools for the growth of a spiritual church.

If only people would learn to spend more time in prayer, our people would be more spiritual. As you grow more spiritual, you become more like God, and will "love everybody". People respond to love. The presence of God would reign in our services, and the true presence of God will never drive anyone away!! Love and His presence will bring the lost in.

What happened to the extra prayer meetings where people just prayed? What happened to those sweet times of prayer right in service where we were not in a hurry to get up?

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear

To Him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His Word and trust His grace,

I’ll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Prayer will NEVER BE OUTDATED. It fits perfectly with the times.