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When Smaller Is Better

Effective small church ministry starts with a clearer view of success.
When Smaller Is Better

Not all small churches are created equal. Sure, some are small because the leadership doesn't have enough vision or skill to reach their community. But Karl Vaters believes that the pressure to raise numbers has kept many small churches from capitalizing on their inherent strengths. For 21 years, Karl has served as pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California. In that time his church has grown—and shrunk—and finally settled into its mission to be the best small church it can be. He wrote a book, The Grasshopper Myth, to challenge small church leaders to think bigger by thinking smaller. Vaters spoke with BuildingChurchLeaders.com managing editor Laura Leonard about how small churches can find their niche and become the small church God has called them to be.

How did you come to see yourself as a "small church pastor"?

For the last 21 years, I have been at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship. When The Purpose Driven Church came ...

March
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