Imitators of Christ?

Paul was praising the church at Thessalonica, "constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ...you also became imitators of us and of the Lord...you became an example to all the believers...For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you..." (1Thess. 1:3-8). Challenged by what would be necessary for these same compliments to be given to the church I'm apart of? Am I personally embodying what Paul is praising?