In our day, it’s easy to be wrongly programmed to equate numbers with a church being successful. Certainly, we want to grow. However, the Lord has a far different standard for success that we need to embrace as our standard. Paul said, “… it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (I Cor. 4:2). Faithfulness to the truth of the Word, rightly divided, is paramount, as is faithfulness in service and worship. The church at Thessalonica was extolled for two things. They had a genuine love for one another which the Lord wanted to see “increase and abound” still more (I Thes. 3:12). They also had a regular, consistent, aggressive outreach to the lost with the gospel (I Thes. 1:8). Before the Lord, may we strive to have this kind of successful church.