What People Are Saying about "Let Your Church Grow"
Everett Stenhouse, Assistant General Superintendent Assemblies of God | 1985-1993
Personal and Warm Style
“In a personal and warm style Richard Varnell renders insights to biblical principles for leaders of churches where growth is deficient and new life is lacking. He covers the landscape of church life and offers practical instruction in navigating the waters of mediocrity. LET YOUR CHURCH GROW is an insightful and helpful guide.”
Reverend Christopher James Woolley, Senior Pastor of Christian Life Church Canfield, Ohio
Assistant presbyter of the greater Youngstown/Warren area network.
Captivating Read
“This book is captivating and is a well written account of how Jesus wants us to grow a church. Let Your Church Grow gives hope to struggling churches everywhere. You can see the passion for growing a healthy church. A wonderful formula for church growth.”
Chris Carrigan, Executive Pastor, Church Planter, Senior Pastor, Interim Pastor, Church Training & Support Ministry
Handbook of Church Growth
“Richard has really captured the essence of the working model in ink. Let Your Church Grow is easy to read, easy to understand and easy to implement. This is the "coaches’ handbook of church growth" for pastors. Richard lays out each individual piece as well as the whole game plan, making it a simple matter to utilize these tools and see the results. Whether used completely or in part, the results will always be growth. Richard has heart and dedication to the ministry of our Lord, Jesus.”
Dr. Byron D. Klaus, President Assemblies of God Theological Seminary | 1999-2015
Solid Research - Proven Strategies
“Church growth is a much-discussed topic with a vast array of talking points. All too often, limited perspective hinders in-depth understanding. Let Your Church Grow offers solid research, personal experience and proven strategies that leave the reader with actions steps that are doable. Rather than focusing his efforts on the visionary dreams of new church plants, Richard Varnell focuses his attention on an existing resource with huge possibilities. If we can revitalize the 60% of American churches which are declining or plateaued, we can revitalize the influence of the Church in our nation’s communities. If you want to hear a compelling case for why your church can grow, that is rooted in biblical foundations and implemented by common sense steps of action, I highly recommend Let Your Church Grow.”
John Heide, U.S. Missionary to the Second-Half Generations
Put it to the Test
“In Let Your Church Grow, Richard Varnell gives proven, through personal and learned ideas, methods of how ANY and EVERY church can increase their attendance. His ministerial and business background are combined to share specific ideas that, if applied, will result in an older established church, or a new church plant, experiencing growth. He guarantees his methods will work. Try them and put him to the test!”
Dr. Dave Johnson, Former evangelist and church planter, Faculty member at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Managing editor of the Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies
Love this Book
“I love this kind of book! It’s a combination of academic rigor and practical experience while, at the same time, being easy and fun to read. I believe this book will be a great encouragement to pastors and leaders of small churches who want to see their church grow.”
George Smith, Pastor for more than 50 years
Biblically Based
“Let Your Church Grow is not only an easy read, but makes so much sense. It’s biblically based, culturally sensitive, and applying the principles are within easy reach of any congregation, small or large.
The unfortunate thing with many congregations which are on a downward slope, is getting the people to realize that by continuing what they are doing will only bring the same results. This is where the challenge of traditions comes into light. What must remain, and what can we change for the good? Let Your Church Grow will inspire leaders, as ti will give them a sense of direction from someone who has proven that these steps to growth really work.”
John E. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent, SoCal Network Assemblies of God
Practical Guide
“Many churches today find themselves either plateaued, or declining in attendance. Richard Varnell’s book, Let Your Church Grow, is a practical guide for those desiring to see growth and experience community impact in their local context. Effective steps and resources are identified that will serve as a template for expanding your church’s influence both inside and outside of the four walls. I am confident that this book will encourage any reader who is serious about taking their church to a new level.
Richard Nicholson, Missionary with Assemblies of God World Missions, Former Regional Director for Latin America & the Caribbean AGWM
Business Principles and Technological Applications
“Richard Varnell’s newest book, Let Your Church Grow, is an amazing handbook on a subject about which many others have written, yet it is fresh and challenging as few works I have read. It is powerful because it is loaded with biblical principles, personal experiences and anecdotes (both his own and those of many others, as the bibliography shows), business principles and technological applications, statistics, and compassion (for kids, single moms, and all first-time guests, for example). Above all, it is practical, practical, practical! These are not just good ideas--they work! Varnell says it best: “This book is designed to give you hope!”
We started church-planting and pastoring 50 years ago in the U.S. and later in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although God has blessed those efforts, I only wish someone had made this kind of resource available to us at the beginning. Surely It would have enhanced our efforts. I know this book will be a valuable tool for hundreds of struggling pastors and congregations who just need some help to grow as God has designed the Church to grow!
John Pollnow MDiv, Lead Pastor, 29 Palms Assembly of God
Help for the Average Church
“Dr. Varnell's study is an effective researched plan to help the average church in America achieve maximum success in visitor reach and retention. His methods are tangible tasks for any leader to perform. Our church has implemented many ideas in this book and has quadrupled our attendance over the last 5 years. This book is worth a read and deserving of Kingdom motivated action.”
Glen Moore
Blessings to you Sir
“We had 91 on Easter and last week we had 77. We are retaining 50% right now. We had 25 new people in May, and we retained about 15 of them. Your book was a confirmation to God’s leadership in our Church.”
Richard Coffelt, Senior Pastor, North County Christian Center, Castroville, California
Basics of Church Growth
“As a current pastor of a small church, and as someone who has been involved in larger ministry contexts, I found the book by Richard Varnell an encouraging reminder to revisit some of the basics of church growth. Having implemented many of the suggestions offered by Richard in previous pastoring venues, I can attest to the fact that such strategies work to build church attendance. The poignant principle of which I was reminded was the importance of being intentionally hospitable to first-time guests to church services and events. Although I, as the pastor, may discern the importance of making guests feel welcome, this is something that needs to be cultivated in the DNA of the members of the church as well. Training in what this will look like in our particular context of ministry must be provided on a regular basis. My intention is to share this book with other key members of our congregation to encourage ownership of some of the implementation of ideas offered herein.”
Dr. Dan Myers, President, Master Plan Ministries
Carefully Designed Blueprint
“When I landed in the jungle of my first pastorate, I needed this book. It is a carefully designed blueprint for pastors and churches of less than two hundred. Richard Varnell, an ordained pastor, provides the sound biblical basis for church growth. As a tax consultant, he articulates practical business concepts that help a church measure its goals and be accountable. The book is destined to be a standard for small churches.”
Johnny Gomez, Associate Pastor, Southcoast Christian Assembly of God, San Juan Capistrano, California
Live in Victory
“After reading your wonderful book titled, Let Your Church Grow, I was encouraged by each chapter as you gave new insights on how to grow a church. I’m convinced that if a leader reads this book and asks the Holy Spirit for guidance, God will ignite the fire in their heart that will burn bright for the ministry of their church.
Perhaps a pastor may feel immobilized by the challenges he faces each week in his church. He may feel paralyzed, and this feeling keeps him from moving forward. Ultimately, he knows he is not living to the fullness and freedom in the ministry that God intends for him; therefore, this book is a must read.
This book is all about experiencing the power of Christ in your life, to live in victory and have the passion with enthusiasm once again for your Ministry. Each session will equip you with practical, and hands-on step-by-step church growth principles that will take your ministry to a new level of growth in your church.”
Dr. James T. Bradford, General Secretary, The General Council of the Assemblies of God
Engage First-Time Quests
“After years of both being a pastor and teaching leadership to other pastors, I find that one of the most difficult tasks in the local church is to meaningfully engage first-time guests and then follow through effectively. Richard Varnell, a trusted friend, has done us a wonderful service by addressing this challenge directly and practically. In Let Your Church Grow, you will be coached on core systems that will markedly enhance your church’s capacity to grow.”
Anthony S. Gambino, Lead Pastor, Crossroads Assembly of God, Hamburg, New Jersey
Sit with Your Coach
“This book will give you practical ways of growing your church from scratch. Whether you are looking to plant a church or revitalize one, you will be encouraged as if you were sitting with your coach. Study what is in this book and then lead yourself and your team toward numeric church growth.”
Greg Austring, PhD, Former Missionary and Pastor, Presently Teaches Missions and Intercultural Studies, Vanguard University of Southern California
New Members a Sense of Belonging
“Richard Varnell writes not only as one who has studied church growth but as one who has practiced it. This book would be especially helpful to the pastor and members of smaller churches who are overwhelmed and often discouraged by the beyond-the-reach concepts and models presented by megachurches. His book gives a well-focused application to what a church can do to utilize the potential of its members in a simple but effective manner that will produce results and, therefore, enhance further investment in the church’s growth. It will also give new members a sense of belonging to something that is on the move.”
Pastor Fred R. Rodriguez, Lead Pastor, Lake Elsinore First Assembly of God, Executive Presbyter, Southern California Network of the Assemblies of God
Invaluable Information
“Let Your Church Grow shares: How to recognize God’s plan for your church to grow, how to overcome anything that would hold your church back from achieving your dream of growth and things you can do to retain first-time guests and to see your church grow."
"Each chapter in Let Your Church Grow will help every pastor; church leader, and volunteer identify tangible and ‘fixable’ dynamics hindering guest retention. This book is well researched and well written. Let Your Church Grow contains invaluable information every pastor, regardless of the size of the congregation, can employ in helping retain the first-time guest. This book is a must read for every pastor!”
Ronn Hobbs, Lead Pastor, Christian Center, Desert Hot Springs, California
Optimism and Passion
“Richard has captured the essence of a growing church; people equipped to love God and care for other people. As he states, ‘People are a gift from God.’ Through his book Let Your Church Grow, Richard is a gift to us, the local pastor. He’s a man of optimism and passion to see churches be effective in reaching and retaining the newcomer. This book is an anthology of practical wisdom for the church to serve the newcomer. It surprises you with golden nuggets of practical ideas throughout the text. You’ll need two highlighters.”
Keith Short, Pastor, Former Presbyter of the Desert Section, Southern California Network Assemblies of God
Tested and Tried
“In his book, Let Your Church Grow, Richard Varnell’s business acumen lends itself to some sage advice that is applied through his pastoral calling. He targets the majority of churches in this book with a specific, detailed plan that has been tested and tried and can be emulated. He has gathered a valuable collection of helpful church growth ideas that are all contained in his well-thought-out plan. Richard gives a lot of attention in this book to the very important subjects in church growth of assimilation and turning first-time guests into second-time attenders.”
Anthony Martinez, Lead Pastor, Olive Branch Assembly of God, Hemet, California
Dynamic Possibilities
“I found this book, Let Your Church Grow, written by Richard Varnell to be very thorough, precise, and engaging! This book is filled with dynamic possibilities of realized church growth tested by time, efforts, and true wisdom. As a small church pastor, I am encouraged by Richard’s passion and guidance to help us use our God-given potential through specific purposed strategies to help grow our churches. I am left with a desire of ‘Let’s do this for Jesus!’”
Ray Rachels, Executive Presbyter, General Council Assemblies of God, Superintendent, Southern California Network, Assemblies of God (1988–2010)
Grew and Thrived
“I always enjoy and appreciate reading books and stories about people who reflect honestly on their work. Richard Varnell has written a compelling story about his work as a pastor/leader. I had the privilege of observing his selfless initiative in planting a wonderful congregation in the greater Palm Springs area. The church grew and thrived as a result of his thoughtful and spiritually focused pastoral leadership. His principles for growing a congregation are sound and meaningful, and offer insight to anyone called to serve Christ’s Church.”
Edna Salcin, Senior at Palm Desert Hight School, Class of 2020, Vice-President of PDHS’s Chamber Choir
Make it Clear
“The best authors are those that make it clear through their writing that they truly love the topic at hand, and that is exactly what Richard Varnell demonstrates in his book, Let Your Church Grow. He weaves in tried and tested methods to promote the growth of church attendance along with his own personal experiences and motivational anecdotes, demonstrating not only his credibility as an author, but as a pastor as well. Let Your Church Grow’s vast array of step-by-step procedures for churches of any size looking to boost their attendance is sure to bring success to anyone who follows Dr. Varnell’s tips.’”
Ron Saint-Hilaire, Men In Unity Founder & Leader
Powerful Guide
"This book is a powerful guide for churches…a “how to” manual to support, engage and encourage church leaders to move forward in growing their churches." Read more...
Rich Guerra, SoCal Network Superintendent Assemblies of God
Passion for the Church
"Anyone who has met Richard Varnell quickly discovers his passion for the church and for pastors—wanting both to thrive and experience the growth God intends. This book blends his personal pastoral experiences with creative research and biblically based business insights for leaders in any church context. His direct and practical focus is captured in stating, “that God wants his church to grow and that he has provided methods to make that happen…and that church growth is hard work that requires relentless passion and steady consistency” (p.36). And this no nonsense focus is exactly where Richard excels in bringing solid theological reflections, tested principles, and most importantly, practical strategies he asserts will result in “success guaranteed.” I highly recommend this volume for all pastors who want to get intentional about growing their church for God’s glory!"