In my first book, Church Growth Through Groups, I listed and described seven vital signs or activities of growing churches. There is now an eighth vital sign that has surfaced through careful study, and it really is the first and most important characteristic of growing churches worldwide. These churches are developing extensive ministries to put into practice what Jesus envisioned when he said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer" (Matt. 21:13).

This vital sign was modeled for us by the Jerusalem church leaders. While waiting on the Lord's promise of the Holy Spirit, they were steadfast in prayer (Acts 1:14). After three thousand souls were added to the church they all continued in daily prayer (Acts 2:42). And when the church grew to the point of needing organized ministry, the leaders refused to get sidetracked away from prayer (Acts 6:4). They knew that prayer gave them access to God's power for explosive growth and enabled them to withstand the evil attacks from Jewish and Gentile forces.

Today, church leaders can know the latest methods but lack the ability to unify and motivate members for action. What possible force can free people from a comfortable style of inactive and ineffective ministry? Leaders, on their own, are powerless. God is the only source capable of freeing us from our self-centered comfort zones and bringing unity and enthusiasm for the work. Prayer renewal in churches is the means God uses to prepare a church for good works and growth.

How is your congregation doing with the eighth vital sign? Is your church a house of prayer? Well, most congregations would admit there is a need to improve. Over the past ten years church members have shared with me, during the Center's service, their desire for improved ministry. A desire for greater spiritual emphasis throughout congregational life tops their wish list. Members are ready for and receptive to efforts in spiritual renewal. (For a full description see Clear Choices for Churches, pp. 49 - 51).

Spiritual renewal is so important and needed that each issue of Church Growth Magazine for the remainder of the year will have some material to encourage churches in this area. Plan now on studying the available resources and also plan to develop a church prayer ministry before the year ends. For starters read Power House: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Church That Prays (Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1994) by Glen Martin and Dian Ginter. They offer a complete guide to developing a prayer ministry and offer a comprehensive list of resources. In addition, the first article in this issue gives some practical suggestions for helping churches become a house of prayer.