Karl Vaters

"Even when things are quiet, when not much is going on, when you don’t have a big story to tell when you go home, God is still doing good things in and through you." (Kurt Lammi) karlvaters.com/ministry-in-be…

Read the original article at karlvaters.com/church-growth-…

Get out there and change the world for Jesus. Work on church growth, but prioritize church health. Growth without health costs more than it’s worth. But a healthy church will always be filled with more blessings than burdens – for everyone.

When Church Growth Isn’t Worth the Cost 🧵 Church growth is an essential element in the Great Commission. But there are (at least) 7 times when Church Growth isn’t worth the cost.

Day 2598 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:23)

Efficiency is not just about good work habits, it’s biblical stewardship. But we don’t need efficiency in times of worship. Or in fellowship. Or in pastoral care. They take too much time. They’re too sloppy. They’re too important to rush. karlvaters.com/inefficiency-m…

Lesser Truth: Money is tight. Greater Truth: My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19) Live to the greater truth. karlvaters.com/slap-a-smile/

Day 2597 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:23)

"When you struggle, God is still there. Even when the devil tries to confuse you and distract you, God is still holding on to you. Thanks be to God for his constant presence, peace, and power – even when your car is the only one in the lot." (Kurt Lammi) karlvaters.com/only-car/

In a recent survey, pastors acknowledged that discipleship is the aspect of church ministry that they do least well. And church members say only 23% of them were discipled one-on-one. I talked with Peyton Jones @plantologyninja about a plan to fix this. karlvaters.com/peyton-jones-e…

Day 2596 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:23)

Small church pastors want to know why people are leaving and why. We really do. But that final talk is often a great source of additional pain to us. Especially when the problem is with something we did – or failed to do. karlvaters.com/private-pain/

Drawing a crowd to church may not be the best way to start people on a path to discipleship. In fact, it may hurt our discipleship efforts more than help them. karlvaters.com/crowd-disciple…