It seems to me that the success of many outreach meetings is measured by the number of people who stand or come forward at the end to say the sinners' prayer but to me just saying the words of the 'sinners prayer' means nothing if you do not recognise that you really are a sinner who needs God's forgiveness. And pastors need to be sure that a person has really reached that place in their hearts and minds before they tell them that they are now saved.
What you're saying is true. And I would say most orthodox and well grounded churches understand this.
During an evangelistic or outreach meeting, when the invitation is given, there are always a mixed group that can be found. Some are coming to be saved genuinely. They have really believed and were saved when they prayed that prayer. So, I wouldn't take that away from them. It doesn't mean one has to say those exact words to be saved, but neither does it mean they can't be saved if they said those words.
Usually the outreach meetings or evangelistic services will be given by one who has the gift of evangelism. And, it is a spiritual gift. And those with that gift literally have to be restrained. All they see is numbers for the Kingdom of God. They look at a map and see nothing but where they can attack the kingdom of satan and gain ground for the kingdom of God. And those who do not have that gift have a hard time with them at times. But, they are Christians trying to do what God has gifted them to do. And I praise God for them.
This is one reason believers clash at times. They have different gifts of the Spirit. I remember years ago I was at a Bible study in someone's home. The teacher related how that recently he had seen many gifts in operation from the Body in a past Bible study event. A lady was late to the study because she hit a deer on the way. When she got there she was shook up and bothered by it. Immediately the gifts arose.
One with the gift of mercy immediately said, 'that poor deer'.
One with the gift of pastor consoled the woman.
One with the gift of teaching started trying to instruct the woman on how she should drive on these roads to the Bible study.
One with the gift of prophet started demanding why arn't there more signs on these roads to warn people.
One with the gift of giving wanted to know the damage to her car and help her financially if she needed it.
The evangelist needs to exercise his gift, but he also needs to be connected to a local church that he submits to. This way they can instruct him and oversee him and the converts that have come. This I believe would correct any problem one may have of just saying the words to be saved.
Stranger