What now? I have 20 years under my belt as the pastor of my Small Church. 30 in pastoral ministry all together. Since there aren’t a lot of us that get to this landmark, there’s not a lot of advice about what to do next. One thing I know for sure. I don’t want more […]
20 Years Pastoring My Small Church: The Cautions Read More »
The average length of a pastorate isn’t much over 2 years. In Small Churches, it’s lower. It’s a high-stress job, with long hours, high demands, emotional extremes and little (sometimes no) monetary compensation. But last month was my 20th year at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship. And last night my Small Church threw a party for me
20 Years Pastoring My Small Church: The Keys Read More »
OK, so technically, this one’s true. My church can’t compete with megachurches. Trying to do what they do on a Small Church scale would, did, and does lead to disaster and burnout. What makes the statement a myth is that it’s built on a faulty premise. The premise that we’re supposed to be like megachurches,
Grasshopper Myth: My Church Can’t Compete With Megachurches Read More »
People love Small Churches. It’s pastors who have a problem with them. The Grasshopper Myth book has been in the hands of the members of my church for about a month. And I’m currently teaching through the principles of it on Sunday mornings. (They’re being recorded and will be podcast here soon.) So the feedback
Surprising Insights About Church Growth from Small Church Members Read More »
Pastoral ministry is hazardous work. Study after study shows the burnout rate for people in full-time ministry is high and growing. Tim Peters tackled this issue with a very helpful post, 10 Real Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon. As I read it, I noticed something missing from his list. And it may be the most
The 11th Reason Pastors Quit Too Soon Read More »
Hi, I’m Karl and I’m a Small Church pastor. Do you wonder why I keep saying that? Maybe it was something I learned in a marketing class about branding my message? If so, I should get my tuition refunded. “Small”, “Church” and “Pastor” are three of the least marketable words there are. I say it
We’re Small Church Pastors – Let’s Wear it Well Read More »
I like megachurches. I wish there were more of them. I like Small Churches even more. I wish there were a lot more of them. The ministry of New Small Church is less than two months old, but I’m already noticing a disturbing mini-trend that I want to opt out of. It’s the tendency in
Hi, I’m Karl and I’m NOT a Megachurch Basher Read More »
Serve Day. Share Day. Community Service Day. Whatever you call it, getting your congregation to take a Sunday afternoon to go out into the community to serve people in practical, agenda-free ways is valuable to your church and your community. This video was recorded at a recent Share Day at our church, and it can
How Your Small Church Can Do a Great Community Service Day (Video) Read More »
If you want to increase your chances of working with innovators who need guidance, instead of heel-draggers who need motivation, this is the best piece of advice I can give you. I now consider it to be one of my main roles as a church leader.
Find a way to say “Yes”.
Yes to people. Yes to their crazy ideas. Yes to their passion. Yes to something God may be trying to do through them that I just can’t see yet.
The #1 Leadership Key to Spark Innovation in a Small Church Read More »
This is a big, bonus look inside the pages of The Grasshopper Myth. It’s the first half of the first chapter (about 7 pages worth). If you’re wondering whether-or-not to buy, read or recommend The Grasshopper Myth, this should help you decide. If you like what you read, pass it on to others by clicking any of the share buttons
I Am a Small Church Pastor, and I Am Not a Failure Read More »
