Praise For A Church

In the contemporary church, churches are considered successful by certain criteria.  The church must be large, or even a megachurch as they are known.  The church might be considered a success by other criteria as well; their music, programs, their innovations or a popular pastor.  In our passage Paul said God found the church at Thessalonica praiseworthy because they were genuinely saved, they were dramatically growing in faith and love and were able to persevere in the midst of trials and persecution.