Small Church Ministry
![Is A Successful Small Church An Oxymoron? Is A Successful Small Church An Oxymoron?](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/78643.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Is the term “Successful Small Church” an oxymoron?
You know, like
- Jumbo shrimp
- Deafening silence
- Awfully good
- Genuine imitation
- Icy hot
- Open secret
- Living dead
- Clean dirt
- Alone together
Or, more sarcastically,
- Microsoft Works
- Smart bombs
- Educational television
When I first considered ...
![The Endlessly Fascinating Microbiology Of Small Church Ministry The Endlessly Fascinating Microbiology Of Small Church Ministry](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/77834.jpg?h=168&w=300)
When you love something, there's always more to discover in it. That was the essence of a conversation I had recently about the value of small church ministry.
It began with a question.
"What you're doing with small churches is great, but won't you have to expand ...
![Thom Rainer and Lawrence Wilson Interview Karl Vaters About Small Churches Thom Rainer and Lawrence Wilson Interview Karl Vaters About Small Churches](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/77528.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Small churches are becoming big news!
Recently, I had the chance to be interviewed about small churches by two great ministries.
Both interviews were published this week. One in a podcast, the other in a written article.
1. The Thom Rainer Leadership Podcast #338
First, I was honored ...
![The Mixed Blessings Of Scalable Church The Mixed Blessings Of Scalable Church](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/77026.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Some things become better when they become scalable.
Some don’t.
Some have mixed results.
This is true for churches.
The Positives And Negatives Of Scalability
For instance, the car I drive is cheaper, safer and more fuel-efficient because the assembly line made automobile ...
![Why Are There So Many Unhealthy Small Churches? (Don't Worry, It's Good News) Why Are There So Many Unhealthy Small Churches? (Don't Worry, It's Good News)](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/76983.jpg?h=168&w=300)
I like the idea of small churches. But if they’re so great, why do I see so many more unhealthy small churches than unhealthy big churches?
A small church pastor asked me that question recently. Not from cynicism or unkindness. It was out of genuine concern for a reality ...
![5 Mistakes More Likely To Be Made By Small Churches Than Big Churches 5 Mistakes More Likely To Be Made By Small Churches Than Big Churches](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/76513.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Small churches are not just smaller versions of big churches.
Every size has value, but different sizes serve different functions in the body of Christ. They also have different challenges and they tend to make different kinds of mistakes.
Here are 5 mistakes that are more likely ...
Small churches aren’t just smaller versions of big churches. They have unique gifts, challenges and methods of operation.
But not everyone realizes that fact. Including some small church pastors.
This often leads to frustration when we go to ministerial conferences or read ...
![The Value of a Small Church: Personalized Major League Coaching The Value of a Small Church: Personalized Major League Coaching](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/76392.jpg?h=168&w=300)
I’m taking my family to a bigger church.
I doubt if there’s a small church pastor that hasn’t felt the pain of those words.
I was reminded of that pain while getting re-acquainted with a friend over coffee recently.
My friend is a semi-volunteer staff member at ...
![CTPastors Has a Small Church Section – And They Want to Hear From You! CTPastors Has a Small Church Section – And They Want to Hear From You!](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/76134.jpg?h=168&w=300)
Do you have some creative, practical, encouraging ideas about small church ministry? If you can write about them in a clear, concise manner, CTPastors might want to publish an article from you.
For the first time ever, ChristianityToday.com has a section entirely devoted to small ...
Small church internships have a lot to offer both the intern and the church.
But they have to be done right. If not, they’re a nightmare.
For over a dozen years, our small church has operated a successful internship ministry. Here are ten essential lessons we’ve learned, ...
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)