Karl Vaters
Karl is the author of four books and has been in pastoral ministry for almost 40 years. He is the teaching pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, a healthy small church in Orange County, California, where he has ministered for over 27 years with his wife, Shelley. Karl’s heart is to help pastors of small churches find the resources to lead well and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church. Karl produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com, and has created S.P.A.R.K. Online (Small-Church Pastors Adapt & Recover Kit), which is updated regularly with new resources to help small churches deal with issues related to the COVID-19 crisis and aftermath.
Pastor How To's
Big, Unfriendly Churches Are Bad — But Small Unfriendly Churches Are Dangerous
Not to say that a large crowd is bad, but the mere fact of its size causes us to act more passively, even in church. So even in unfriendly churches we put on our polite crowd-smile and become an audience.
Articles for Outreach & Missions
10 Questions More Important Than ‘What Was Your Sunday Attendance?’
On any given Sunday, even the smallest, simplest church service juggles an amazing array of complex issues. From set-up to attendance to events.
Set-up...
Articles for Outreach & Missions
Hitting a Church Growth Barrier? Getting Bigger Isn’t Your Only Option
Should you, as a pastor, adjust your leadership style to accommodate a larger congregation? Or is there a way to allow for and encourage church growth that won’t require such a radical shift?
Articles for Youth Leaders
Yes, Churches Are Raising Young Leaders—And Yours Can, Too
In most denominations, the clergy are graying. And in most churches, so is the support staff, whether paid or volunteer. But not in all of them. There are many churches that are raising young leaders to step up big time, including the one I’m blessed to serve.
Pastors
9 Reasons Some Pastors Overstay Their Calling
In general, longer pastoral stays are better than a series of short ones. But even good pastors can stay too long. Here are some reasons why pastors overstay their calling.
Articles for Pastors
The Undeniable, Irresistible Resilience of the Small Church
Small churches are not better than big churches. Big churches aren’t better than small ones. Let's discover the resilience of the small church.
Articles for Pastors
The Best Method for Discipling Believers in a Thriving Small Church
The beauty of mentoring-based discipleship is that it doesn’t just create smarter Christians. It raises up new mentors.
Administration
Jesus Never Told Us To Fill Church Buildings
Discover why Jesus emphasized being the church over just attending. Learn how true spiritual renewal comes from going out to serve, not filling pews.
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