God’s Desire is for Each LocalCongregation to be Strong

• Acts 15:32 - Church at Antioch

• Acts 16:5 - Churches of Iconium, Lystra, etc.

• Eph. 3:16 - Church at Ephesus

• Col. 1:11 - Church at Colosse

StrongWeak

Churches

Varying Degrees Varying Degrees

Doctrine

Leadership

Separation

From World

?

?

Questions That Must Be Answered

• What is a strong church?

• Why is a strong church so important?

• What difference does it make where I attend?

Clarifying What We Are Discussing

Are NotTalking About

Denominations

Liberal /Institutional

Churches of Christ

Are Talking About

Non-InstitutionalChurches of Christ

A Strong ChurchA Strong Church

I. The Need for a Strong Church

Th

e N

eed

• Concerns pleasing God / “of Christ”

• Effects individual strength / weakness

• Weak churches breeding ground - error

• Weak churches fertile soil for worldliness

• Weak churches are “problems” waiting to happen

Th

e N

eed

• Concerns pleasing God / “of Christ”

• Effects individual strength / weakness

• Weak churches breeding ground - error

• Weak churches fertile soil for worldliness

• Weak churches are “problems” waiting to happen

A Strong ChurchA Strong Church

II. The Marks of a Strong Church

I. The Need for a Strong Church

Th

e M

arks

• Distinctive Preaching

• Strong Leadership (Elders)

• Faithful, Committed & Godly Members

• Discipline is practiced

• Stand against sin & worldliness

• Stand on current issues

Th

e M

arks

• Distinctive Preaching

• Strong Leadership (Elders)

• Faithful, Committed & Godly Members

• Discipline is practiced

• Stand against sin & worldliness

• Stand on current issues

A Strong ChurchA Strong Church

II. The Marks of a Strong Church

I. The Need for a Strong Church

III. Looking for a Strong Church

Lo

oki

ng

Fo

r...

• Close (location)• People there you know or like• People are friendly

Wrong Approach

Wise Approach

• Is this a strong church?• Do they deal with sin and error?• Do they practice discipline?• Do they accept anyone - w/o Q?• Will I be weaker or stronger?

A Strong ChurchA Strong Church

II. The Marks of a Strong Church

I. The Need for a Strong Church

III. Looking for a Strong Church