Our congregation knows that we need to be a STRONG church, don’t we? How does a congregation like ours get— and stay — strong for Christ?

MEMBERS MUST HAVE STRONG FAITH! Members must be well-taught in the word of God! No church can be strong without the members being well-taught and strong in faith! Come to Bible classes! Study the Bible at home! Pray and meditate with God throughout the day (how can I implement God’s teachings into my life? It is not just theory!)! May our faith be spoken of throughout the world (Romans 1:8)!

THE ELDERSHIP MUST BE OUTSTANDING! No congregation rises above Leadership! Pray daily for our Elders — Don, Ken D., Troy, Charles, Larry and Ken T.— to keep being the men of God for our congregation that they need to be!

THE CONGREGATION MUST BE UNITED! Jesus taught, “….and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25)! Let us always take care of any internal problems with Christian love, as division in a church makes her exceedingly weak!

CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP MUST ADORE GOD! He is our benefactor! All spiritual blessings that we have come from Him (Ephesians 1:3)! “Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of lights….” (James 1:17)! The church is not to meet together to be entertained and spectate, but to adore God by participating in worship! “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones” (Psalm 149:1).

THE MEMBERSHIP MUST BE HOLY! God made us holy in Christ, and He expects us to live what He has made us! Because of His love, Jesus died for the church….that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27)! Sin weakens more that yourself — it affects the whole congregation (Joshua 6-7)!

SOUL-WINNING MUST BE OUR PASSION! “He that is wise wins souls” (Proverbs 11:30)! The Great Commission tells us to make disciples of all nations, to go into all the world, to preach repentance and the remission of sins (Matthew 28, Mark 16 and Luke 24)!

God bless the Highland Lakes church of Christ to be a STRONG church!

(Adapted from an article by Doug Wheeler)