As I have studied the history of the church, I have found that the church has gone through periods of success and failure in carrying out its mission to reach the lost and make disciples. I have found that the periods of success have had several things in common, as have the periods of failure. I have tried to compile those things that have helped build the church down through history and which I have found successful in my own ministry in order to help pastors and church leaders build more successful churches.