What makes a church great? Well, to be honest with you, I don't usually use the word "great" in describing a church. I think you can have "great" experiences and "great" events at church; but I like words like "vibrant," "fulfilling," "convicting," and "instructive."

Jesus uses an interesting word in describing His church when He told Peter (and the others listening), "...and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (Hell) shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). Prevail (kataischuo) means to overpower by force in order to take possession. The kata- prefix strengthens the main word indicating that the gates of Hell (the spiritual powers thereof) will attempt to overpower the spiritual potential of Christ's church.

Christ's church must be a prevailing church; that is, it must have a strong spiritual establishment with Christ so that the underworld can not overpower it. Pastors need to address the areas of church ministry that will make a church a prevailing church--a church that has spiritual connectivity to the Lord who is quite capable to defend and to build His church without cultural programs and gimmicks.

Johnnie