The Church Lobby

Karl Vaters
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Karl Vaters interviews church leaders about the important issues of faith and ministry. It's called The Church Lobby because: The church lobby is where the church meets and does ministry. The church lobby moves conversations from the stage to the floor. The church lobby is a good place to take the temperature of a church’s health. Karl Vaters is the author of several books, including Small Church Essentials and The Grasshopper Myth. Formerly known as Can This Work In a Small Church?, this podcast primarily looks at church leadership from a small church perspective.

  1. 28 DE AGO.

    Ep 110: Healthy Goal-setting and Helping The Big Church Feel Small, with Luke Simmons

    Karl Vaters talks with Luke Simmons, the pastor of Ironwood Church in Mesa, AZ. Recently, Luke and his church elders decided to pursue a very ambitious goal with the aim of helping their large, growing congregation feel smaller and more connected. As a big-church pastor, Luke is not a typical Church Lobby guest, but he and Karl follow each other on X (formerly Twitter) and when Luke posted about this plan it inspired a lot of questions and curiosity. The plan is for the members of their elder team to have one-on-one meetings with 1,000 church members over coffee or a meal this coming year. If those numbers make you feel like this isn’t for you, give it a chance. Luke has a heart for people, and he’s interested in how to set numerical goals that help us reach non-numerical objectives of discipleship, fellowship, and service. Links: Luke’s original X post about elder meeting goalsLuke’s original X post about doing one-on-one meetingsFaithful and FruitfulTim Keller on Leadership and Church Size DynamicsDarrell Stetler’s Sermon IllustratorFollow Luke on XIronwood Church Bonus video How To Conduct An Annual Leadership Meeting, with Luke Simmons Karl Vaters talks with Luke Simmons about some of the steps he follows to gain as much as possible from an annual leadership meeting with his church elders. Points include: Get it on the calendar as soon as possibleMake it an overnighterBudget for itSlow down in a relaxed environmentSet the tone with idea prompts in writingWrite a summary afterwardAnd more Links: How to Grow Your Small Business: A 6-Step Plan to Help Your Business Take Off (Donald Miller)Luke’s original X post about elder meeting goalsLuke’s original X post about doing one-on-one meetingshttps://faithfulandfruitful.com/elders-meeting/ To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    47min

  2. 14 DE AGO.

    Ep 109: The Future is Bivocational, with Andrew Hamilton

    Over the last few months, several of our podcasts have been about bivo/covocationality, side hustles for pastors, and so on. And more are on the way. Why? Because the future of the church is bivocational. In this episode, Karl Vaters talks to Andrew Hamilton about the content from his book, The Future is Bivocational: Shaping Christian Leaders for a Post-Christian World, including the theological foundation for bivocational ministry, how work isn’t a sinful result of the fall, but an element of God’s creative design for us, and the value of covocational ministry for the pastor, the church, and the community. The second half of the conversation includes several very practical steps for any pastor who’s considering bivocationality, including: Having upfront conversations with your church leadersDeciding which tasks are essential for you to doKnowing which tasks others can be trained for and trusted withThe non-optional tasks of leadership and communicationWhy Andrew tries to function at 70 percent of his ministry capacity And more Links: Backyard MissionaryThe Future is Bivocational: Shaping Christian Leaders for a Post-Christian WorldThe Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire Bonus video Eight Options for Finding Bivocational Work, with Andrew Hamilton Are you considering becoming a bivocational pastor? Karl Vaters talks to Andrew Hamilton about some practical work options that mesh well with a pastoral schedule and skillset, from the content from his book, The Future is Bivocational: Shaping Christian Leaders for a Post-Christian World, including: Project/Contract WorkLaboringStart a Small BusinessThe Church Starts a BusinessRetrain/Upskill/StudyLow Demand WorkVolunteerConsulting To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    1h3min

  3. 31 DE JUL.

    Ep 108: Creating an Environment for Discipleship to Thrive and Multiply, with Bryan Sims

    *ATTENTION NEEDED* Help us get to Malaysia by going to KarlVaters.com/support Anything you can give will be appreciated. Karl Vaters interviews Bryan Sims about creating an environment for discipleship to thrive, from his book, Creating Space: Cultivating Environments for Disciples of Jesus to Thrive and Multiply (co-written with Craig Robertson). In the first half of the book, and of our conversation, we talk about the importance of creating PSDs (Passionate Spiritual Disciples) and how the church needs to get better at creating space for it to happen among our church members. Then in the second half, we get practical, talking about four tools to help this happen in your church. Plus, Bryan addresses the five characteristics of healthy disciple-making  environments, and more. Links: Creating Space: Cultivating Environments for Disciples of Jesus to Thrive and MultiplySpiritual Leadership, Inc.Bryandsims.com Bonus video The 4 Stages of Disciple-making Environments, with Bryan Sims Karl Vaters interviews Bryan Sims about the 4 different types of environments that are needed for varying stages of spiritual growth, from his book, Creating Space: Cultivating Environments for Disciples of Jesus to Thrive and Multiply (co-written with Craig Robertson). Stage 1: Engage and BefriendStage 2: Relate and ConnectStage 3: Equip and GrowStage 4: Become and Send To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    1h7min

  4. 17 DE JUL.

    Ep 107: Optimizing Your Church Website for Three Key Types of Visitors, with Derek Maxson

    Karl Vaters interviews Derek Maxson about some simple ways to make sure your church website is reaching the three kinds of people who are most likely to use it. Derek runs Spiffy.Church, an online ministry that specializes in helping smaller churches get the most from their websites, using limited time and resources. Derek and Karl talk about how to optimize your church website by making it simple and affordable, and how to use it to help three types of people. Insiders (your church members and regulars)Shoppers (those looking for a new church home)Seekers (those who are curious about the faith or who are needing help in a time of crisis) Links: Spiffy.Church   Bonus video Three Simple Changes You Can Make To Your Church Website, with Derek Maxson Church websites shouldn’t be as complicated as we make them. In this bonus chat, Karl Vaters talks with Derek Maxson about a few quick changes you can make to your church website that will immediately make it better for everyone.   Links: Spiffy.Church To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    46min

  5. 3 DE JUL.

    Ep 106: Segregation, Affinity Spaces, and How the Gospel Defeats Racism, with Mika Edmondson

    Karl Vaters interviews Mike Edmondson about the hot-button topics of racial segregation in the American church, why affinity spaces matter, and how the gospel defeats racism – even the racism that has sometimes been promoted within the institutional church. Mika speaks with experience, wisdom, directness, and grace, generating more light than heat. Some of what Mika and Karl talk about includes: What is segregation?What is “Hereditary Heathenism?”Why did historically black churches begin?What are “Affinity Spaces” and why do they matter?How can we think and act more biblically about issues of race? And more.   Links: Text of Mika’s thread from XLink to Mika’s original X threadNoteBird App To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    1h5min

  6. 19 DE JUN.

    Ep 105: Recovering from Sexually Related Trauma, with Rachel Bren

    Rachel Bren is a survivor of sexually related trauma, and now she serves with SRTServices.org, which helps people recover from their trauma, and can help you and your church. She’s also the co-host of the Grace & Grenades podcast. Karl Vaters interviews Rachel about what sexual related trauma is, how the church can help those dealing with it, some mistakes to avoid, and more. Links: SRTServices.orgGrace & GrenadesOur church introduction videoBrene Brown video on sympathy vs. empathyThe Allender Center PodcastThe Place We Find Ourselves PodcastGrace & Grenades PodcastYou can reach Rachel by email at rachel@srtservices.org and the website  www.srtservices.org Bonus video How Your Church Can Help People Recover from Sexually Related Trauma, with Rachel Bren Karl Vaters talks with Rachel Bren about how SRTServices.org can come alongside your church to give you the tools to help people who are dealing with sexually related trauma. Links: SRTServices.orgGrace & Grenades To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    47min

  7. 5 DE JUN.

    Ep 104: What Is the Minimum for a Church to be Viable? with Sam Peters

    Karl Vaters interviews Sam Peters about the microchurch model, and more specifically, what are the minimum aspects that need to be in place for a church to be a church? If you’re serving a small church that’s considering if you have a viable path forward, the microchurch model is worth considering, and Sam offers some help for thinking about it in fresh, new ways. Sam Peters is a church consultant, and the author of several books, including Small Church, Big Opportunity; BIG Faith: Six Key Factors that Grow Your Faith in God, & Rebuilding Stronger: Navigating the Post-Pandemic Landscape of Worship. Links: SmallChurchCoaching.comLinkTreeYou can follow Sam on Facebook and X   Bonus video The Limitations of the Institutional Church in Reaching the Community Karl Vaters interviews Sam Peters about some of the limitations that are now coming to light about the institutional church model (building, salary, etc.) that we’ve both spent our lives in. The challenges we talk about include: 1.  Physical and Financial Constraints: Many churches invest most of their resources into maintaining buildings and programs rather than directly engaging the lost. This is especially difficult for smaller congregations. 2.  Passive Churchgoers Instead of Active Disciple-Makers: Institutional churches can unintentionally foster a consumer mindset, where members attend services but are not equipped to lead or disciple others. 3.  Limited Reach Beyond Church Walls: Most churches expect people to come to them rather than embedding the Gospel in everyday life and relationships. 4.  Slow Adaptation to Cultural Shifts: In an age of rapid change, large churches with complex structures often struggle to pivot quickly to meet new challenges and opportunities. 5. Overemphasis on Sunday Gatherings: The primary focus in many churches is the Sunday experience, but disciple-making happens most effectively in smaller, relational environments. To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    55min

  8. 22 DE MAI.

    Ep 103: Helping Small Churches Win Guests, with Desmond Barrett

    Karl Vaters interviews Desmond Barrett about how small churches can do a better job at reaching, welcoming, and keeping guests. Desmond is the author of Helping Small Churches Win Guests: Preparing to Increase Attendance, which is a short, but very practical book that pastors will find great benefit in. Karl and Desmond talk about: How to reimagine the church facility from the parking lot to the pewWhy sharing updates about facility improvements is attractive to guestsWhy so many pastors and church leaders resist doing what needs to be doneWhy “we just need to attract young families” is never the answerThe good news that new Christians are not looking for programs, they’re wanting to live on mission Links: Helping Small Churches Win Guests: Preparing to Increase AttendanceRevitalizing the Declining Church with Dr. Desmond Barrett (podcast)Desmond's Amazon Author PageLibby App   Bonus video 5 Options When a Church Property is Too Big for the Congregation, with Desmond Barrett Karl Vaters talks with Desmond Barrett, the author of Helping Small Churches Win Guests: Preparing to Increase Attendance, about a subject that is a challenge for a growing number of congregations. What can you do when a church facility that was built to hold hundreds of people has just a handful or worshipers left? The five options they discuss are: Do NothingShare the PropertyRent the PropertySell the PropertyRecreate the Property Links: Helping Small Churches Win Guests: Preparing to Increase Attendance To get Bonus Content every week, click here to become a Financial Partner, or here to subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter.

    1h2min
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Sobre

Karl Vaters interviews church leaders about the important issues of faith and ministry. It's called The Church Lobby because: The church lobby is where the church meets and does ministry. The church lobby moves conversations from the stage to the floor. The church lobby is a good place to take the temperature of a church’s health. Karl Vaters is the author of several books, including Small Church Essentials and The Grasshopper Myth. Formerly known as Can This Work In a Small Church?, this podcast primarily looks at church leadership from a small church perspective.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Karl Vaters
  • Anos de atividade
    2021 - 2025
  • Episódios
    114
  • Classificação
    Livre
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Site do podcast
    The Church Lobby

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