Is it possible to “grow” a church? How are church growth and discipleship related? Is church growth purely about numbers? Every year, more than 4,000 churches close their doors compared to just over 1,000 new church starts! Can it be that the Bride of Christ is in decline, and if so, is it possible to reverse this trend?

Rev. Chester B. Tollette fully recognizes that growing a church must become a priority for Christians. A healthy church can help overcome many of society’s ills today. Based on his vast experience as a senior pastor, a youth pastor, a prison chaplain, and one of only two Black men who have received certification as a church growth consultant by the Fuller Institute of Evangelism, Rev. Tollette wrote Ten Church Growth Principles: Empowering Your Church To Grow to encourage and empower the church to seek growth.

A church growth principle is simply a universal truth, which, when properly interpreted and applied, contributes significantly to the growth of churches. As you read through these pages, Rev. Tollette’s well laid out biblical principles will guide you, regardless of your church denomination, so that the church can become vibrant once again to meet the needs of her people and to fulfill Christ’s purpose on earth.