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A Crisis Is Not An Opportunity For The Church, It’s A Responsibility
Instead of framing difficult circumstances as an opportunity for the church, we need to see it for what it is. A responsibility. When we do this, we’re more likely to keep our priorities straight.

Locked Down In A Small Town: Rural Ministry During COVID-19
Pastors in small towns and rural areas are on the front lines of ministry right now. They bear the needs of their church members deeply. Yet they and their churches probably feel unseen, undervalued and under-resourced.

Scarcity Creates Value: Why In-Person Church Is Becoming More Important
When people are justifiably concerned about being in the same room together, we need to meet and exceed their expectations. Online and in-person both matter. We can’t neglect one for the other.

When A Sprint Becomes A Marathon: Pastoring In A Long-Term Pandemic
Here are 7 key changes pastors need to make as we adapt from running a sprint to running a marathon.

Yes, Churches Are Raising Young Leaders – And Yours Can, Too
We can’t just disciple potential young leaders, we have to release them. Then we have stand back and let them do ministry the way God is leading them to do it.

Boomers, Let’s Be The Elders The Church Really Needs Now
We have the years. The experience. The tools. The maturity. Now we need the humility to encourage and equip. And maybe learn a few new things.

When The Vision For Your Church Is Unclear
Jesus didn’t call us to be unique, he called us to be faithful. And simple faithfulness from a loving pastor may be what churches need now more than ever.

How To Pivot Your Pastoral Leadership In Uncertain Times
When times are normal, leaders inspire change. When times are disruptive, leaders provide stability.

Congregations Don’t Want a Hero, They Want a Pastor
Church members aren’t looking for super-pastors, they want basic pastoral competence, honesty and leadership. That’s what they ought to expect.
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Author
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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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