95Conference2016

95Conference

Karl Vaters Session 1: Redefining Success In Ministry

 

What is The Grasshopper Myth?

The false impression that our Small Church ministry is less than what God says it is because we compare ourselves with others.

All the people we saw there are of great size. …We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them. – Numbers 13:32-33

 

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Three undeniable realities of pastoral ministry:

  • Reality #1: 80-90% of churches will never be larger than 250 people
  • Reality #2: 99.9% of pastors will pastor a small church for at least some time in our ministry
  • Reality #3: You can lead a small church well, without settling for less

 

Bigger Fixes Nothing

 

Don’t fall for IKEA Envy

 

Over 1 billion people choose to worship Jesus in small churches

 

Small is not a problem, a virtue or an excuse

 

Discover what your church does well, then do it on purpose

 

Big changes come from small places

 


Session 2: Your Church Is Big Enough

 

Big Or Small: What’s the Difference?

BC SC circles

 

Many big church principles don’t translate well to a small church context

 

The law of large numbers: the bigger the crowd, the more predictably they behave

The smaller the crowd, the more impact each person has – for good and bad

 

People will come to small churches, but they won’t give up quality to do so

 

Big church principles center on process, systems & curriculum

Small church principles center on relationships, culture & history

 

Use the “closet rule” for ministries: Don’t add a new one until you’ve dropped an old one

  • What does your church do well, that you would like to do more of?
  • What does your church do poorly, that you would like to do less of?

 

Your church is big enough

 


Karl Vaters • CornerstoneFV.com 

NewSmallChurch.com • ChristianityToday.com/Karl-Vaters

Facebook.com/NewSmallChurch • @KarlVaters

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