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27 Benefits Of Putting An Expiration Date On New Ministries
Here’s a great way to open your church up to innovative new ideas by minimizing the risk – or at least the sting – of failure.

Creatively Bivocational: Think Local, Lucrative, Low Bar to Entry
What are you good at that you can convert into a small business to help fund ministry?

The New Normal: 9 Realities And Trends In Bivo/covocational Ministry
Bivo- and covocational ministry is more than a pit-stop on the way to “real” pastoring. It’s as real as it gets. And it’s becoming very common.

Getting Your Church on the Road to Greater Health, with Mike Rubino (Ep 97)
Revitalization will require that you lead with the heart of a shepherd, the head of a researcher, and the hands of a servant.

Yes, You Need to Change How You Preach (Here are 5 Changes I’ve Made)
We need to communicate in the best possible way for those listening. Clear is better than clever.

Are We Making Disciples or Just Keeping Busy?
If we truly want to see our churches revitalized, we must take a hard look at how we are—or aren’t—making disciples.

Hey Boomer, Stop Making Your Sermon Notes Rhyme Or Alliterate
Instead of playing linguistic games, produce better content. Then format it for how people really listen, talk, and live.

Disability Inclusion In the Church, with Barb Stanley (Ep 96)
About one in six children has a developmental disability. Their families need extra support to attend church and grow in their faith.

4 Steps To Help Your Church Be Friendlier To Guests
It can be easier to find a church that preaches the Bible, has solid worship music, and excellent child care than genuine, lasting friendships.
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Karl Vaters produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com.
He's the author of five books on church leadership, including his newest, De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next. His other books include The Grasshopper Myth and Small Church Essentials.
Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry, featuring in-depth interviews about topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context. He has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience.
You can follow Karl on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn, or Contact Karl to inquire about speaking, writing, and consultation.
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