Christian Unity
Have you ever had a chat with someone who was constantly looking over your shoulder to see if there’s someone better to talk to?
A lot of us may be doing that to the church we’re pastoring.
One of the main reasons many churches stay unhealthy is that too many pastors ...
![Finally, A Definitive List Of Every Essential Element For An Effective Church Finally, A Definitive List Of Every Essential Element For An Effective Church](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/79704.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Too many church leaders spend unnecessary time on a stack of things that aren’t essential for an effective church.
But what are the essentials?
Good news. I’ve found the definitive list and today I’m going to share it with you.
But first, a few things that aren’t ...
![I Don’t Like the Way You Do Church I Don’t Like the Way You Do Church](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/79692.jpg?h=168&w=300)
I don’t like the way you do church.
- The music is too loud or too soft
- The clothes are too casual or too formal
- The preaching is too emotional or too academic
- The pastor is too unavailable or too hands-on
- The building is too ornate or too bland
- The liturgy is too old or too new
![Church Size Is About Personal Preference, Nothing More Church Size Is About Personal Preference, Nothing More](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/78121.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Let's admit something to ourselves. All the arguments we have over church size are about our personal preferences, nothing more. Apples and oranges.
There is zero evidence to suggest that big or small churches are more biblical or more effective, no matter how much we want ...
![5 Ways Small Churches Help Big Churches Without Getting (Or Asking For) Credit 5 Ways Small Churches Help Big Churches Without Getting (Or Asking For) Credit](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/78101.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Big churches and small churches all have something to contribute to the body of Christ.
But, because of their size, the contributions of big churches tend to get noticed more. That’s okay. We don’t do this to be seen. (At least we shouldn’t).
And sometimes the ...
![Big Churches And Small Churches: Contrast Without Criticism Big Churches And Small Churches: Contrast Without Criticism](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/78001.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Big churches and small churches are very different.
Not in their mission, their doctrine or their value to the kingdom of God, but in many of the ways they fulfill that mission.
They're pastored differently, they utilize people's gifts differently, they reach their communities ...
![Fellow Christian, I’m Going To Assume The Best Of You – Even If You Don’t Give Me The Same Courtesy Fellow Christian, I’m Going To Assume The Best Of You – Even If You Don’t Give Me The Same Courtesy](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/77712.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Whatever happened to grace?
Not God’s grace for us. That’s more sure than tomorrow’s sunrise.
But what about giving grace to others? Assuming the best of them instead of the worst? Giving people – especially fellow believers – the benefit of the doubt? ...
![Confessions Of A Social Media Lurker: 3 Guidelines For Commenting Constructively Online Confessions Of A Social Media Lurker: 3 Guidelines For Commenting Constructively Online](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/77440.jpg?h=168&w=300)
I spend a fair amount of time on social media. But there are a lot of people who don't even know I'm in a group with them because, while I monitor a lot of conversations, I seldom participate.
I hang out, I follow the conversation, I learn whatever can be gained, but ...
If you’re a pastor who feels like your voice is being ignored because your church is small, you’re in good company. One of the unsung heroes of World War II faced a similar problem.
Andrew Jackson Higgins was a New Orleans boat builder who saw the importance of something ...
![5 Simple Statements Any Small Church Pastor Would Love To Hear 5 Simple Statements Any Small Church Pastor Would Love To Hear](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/76864.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Too many small church pastors are doing most, maybe all, of their ministry alone.
They wonder if anyone outside the church even knows or cares that they exist.
That isolation can become toxic. And it can start to bleed out into their congregations, confirming the worst stereotypes ...
Read More from Karl
![Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of under 250 Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of under 250](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41AU9uOZQAL._SL500_.jpg)