Taught by Karl Vaters
Friday evening Service
Being a Caleb In a Joshua World (Numbers 13:18 – 4:6)
- Do what’s right instead of what’s easy (Numbers 13:21-33)
- See the reality behind the reality (Numbers 14:1-6)
- Be a positive influence on the faith of others
- Stop caring about who gets the credit
- Value principles more than strategies
Session 1: Pastoring a Small Church Without Settling for Less
Three undeniable realities of pastoral ministry:
- Reality #1: 80-90% of churches will never be larger than 250 people
- Reality #2: Virtually all 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
Over 90% of our churches are under 200, over 80% are under 100
- First Reaction: Oh no!
- Second Reaction: So what?
- Final Reaction: Now what?
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
Why is there such a big divide between big and small churches?
- When the biggest churches were 500 or so, the differences were minor
- Megachurches use and teach very different principles due to their size
It’s OK for a pastor’s vision to be helping God’s people fulfill their vision
Pastoring a small church is not a penalty for doing something wrong
- It’s a specialty, and it’s worth doing well
Session 2: Increasing Your Capacity For Effective Ministry
The pastoral prime mandate: to equip God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-12)
The three essential elements of a healthy, effective church:
- Great Commandment
- Great Commission
- Equipping God’s people
- Unhealthy churches aren’t doing the Great Commandment, the Great Commission or equipping God’s people
- Loving, but ineffective churches are doing the Great Commandment, but not the Great Commission or equipping God;s people
- Overwhelmed pastors are doing the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, but are not equipping Gods people
- Healthy, effective churches and pastors are doing all three
Minister for the size you are, while creating systems and outreach for double your size
Move out of a destination mindset and into a process orientation
- Churches can handle change, but they don’t like to be surprised
- Give the leaders time to ponder big decisions
Hearing God’s Heart Together1. The Sweet Spot: God, the church and the pastor’s hearts meet
2. The Default: God and the pastor, but not the church
3. The Listening Place: God and the church, but not the pastor
4. The Danger Zone: The Church and the pastor, but not God
Use the Jethro system to raise up leaders
- 10, 50, 100, 1,000
- Look for Level 10 leaders, first
Find leaders by looking for servants
- Value passion and willingness over experience and status
Session 3: Becoming a Healthier Church In the Next 100 Days
Based on the book, 100 Days To A Healthier Church, coming in 2019
The Church Health Scale
NewSmallChurch.com • ChristianityToday.com/Karl-Vaters
Facebook.com/NewSmallChurch • @KarlVaters • CornerstoneFV.com
