Every True Christian wants the congregation that he is a member of to be a sound and strong church, exerting good influence in the community, dwelling together in peace, etc. The only way that this can be achieved is for the membership of the congregation to continue to exert effort to be the kind of growing Christian that Peter admonishes in 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him (be) the glory both now and forever. Amen” {ASV}. Some things that will aid in building a strong, sound church are:
1. STRONG BIBLE PREACHING AND TEACHING:
Acts 20:32, “And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build (you) up, and to give (you) the inheritance among all them that are sanctified”
2. EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP {Good elders}:
1 Peter 5:2-3, > “Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to (the will of) God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; > neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock”
3. PURE AND HOLY LIVES BY THE MEMBERSHIP:
Matthew 5:16, “Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” {ASV}. — Philippians 2:15, “that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world” {ASV}.
4. WARM, LOVING AND CONCERNED MEMBERS:
Fellowship in the church should be sweet and precious, it should be visible to the whole community, especially to those that visit the church from throughout the community.
5. COMPASSIONATE HEARTS:
Galatians 6:9-10, > “And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. > So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith” {ASV}.
6. EVANGELISTIC ZEAL:
Acts 5:42, “And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus (as) the Christ” {ASV}. — Acts 8:4, “They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word” {ASV}.
7. AN “I want to serve” ATTITUDE AMONG ALL THE MEMBERS:
People serving the Lord because they love Him and want to glorify Him — not because they feel they have to do something, sometime.
8. A DISPOSITION OF HAPPINESS, FRIENDLINESS, COOPERATION, HOSPITILITY, AND CORDIALITY:
No stranger should ever come into the midst of the Lord’s church without being greeted and welcomed by a happy, friendly membership!