The Church Lobby
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
Ep 081: Should Your Church Consider the Microch...
The Microchurch is not just for church planters. Existing churches can benefit from this model, too.
49 min
2
Ep 080: Practical Ideas that Work In Small Chur...
If you're looking for small-church specific resources that anyone can use, this episode is a must-listen.
33 min
3
Ep 079: Church Collaboration and Killing Consum...
A boots-on-the-ground conversation about meeting the challenges of ministry in a very post-Christian region.
49 min
4
Ep 078: De-sizing the Church (pt 10): First Rea...
De-sizing the Church is getting very strong reactions. These conversations will give you a taste of that, and why it may be time to check it out yourself..
31 min
5
Ep 077: De-Sizing The Church (pt 9): The Danger...
“Idolatry” is not too strong a term for what happens when we become obsessed with something Jesus never commanded us to do.
19 min
6
Ep 076: De-Sizing the Church (pt 8): Are We Too...
The importance of offering a path to repentance and restoration without re-victimizing those who have been hurt.
24 min
7
Ep 075: De-Sizing the Church (pt 7) How To Use ...
Fame fame is not evil, but it is dangerous. Yet it can also help get good information to as many people as possible.
29 min
8
Ep 074: De-Sizing the Church (pt 6): Reframing ...
Sometimes when you follow God's will for the church, it leads to a drop in attendance, not an increase.
38 min
9
Ep 073: De-Sizing the Church (pt 5): Forming a ...
"American meritocracy has reshaped pastors and churches, and a new culture has taken root, based on achievement and accomplishment rather than holiness and Christlikeness.”
39 min
10
Ep 072: De-Sizing the Church (pt 4): Unintended...
While the Church Growth Movement created larger churches and opportunities, it created larger dangers.
44 min
11
Ep 071: De-Sizing the Church (pt 3): What Eugen...
A conversation with Eugene Peterson's biographer on why simple pastoral presence matters more than Christian celebrity.
38 min
12
Ep 070: De-Sizing the Church (pt 2): Why Christ...
De-sizing the Church has a chapter on the dangers of Christian celebrity. Katelyn Beaty wrote an entire book on it. This is an essential conversation.
40 min
13
Ep 069: De-Sizing the Church (pt 1): How Church...
Why are we obsessed with bigness in the church? This is the first episode of our De-sizing the Church series, addressing that question.
36 min
14
Ep 068: The Small Church Worship Advantage, wit...
Did you know there are tools specifically for crafting worship in small settings? To find them we need to turn to an old source—aesthetics.
49 min
15
Ep 067: Beyond Burnout: Growing a Healthy Soul,...
A tired pastor talks to an expert in ministry burnout out what the differences and danger signs are.
32 min
16
Ep 066: Brain Science, Christian Connection, an...
What does brain science have to do with ministry, or even Christianity? This enightening conversation makes those connections.
47 min
17
Ep 065: Helping Small Churches Thrive (A specia...
A special Sunday message describing the history and future of ministry for small churches and pastors.
45 min
18
Ep 064: The Value of Pastoral Longevity (Gary G...
Lessons and memories from 31 years of pastoral ministry at the same church, followed by a healthy transition.
18 min
19
Ep 063: Using A.I. Without Losing Your Soul: A ...
Are you not sure how to feel about A.I.? Does it seem mysterious and scary? This will help.
71 min
20
Ep 062: Maybe You Shouldn't Live-Stream Your Ch...
To stream, or not to stream? The answer to that question may not be as simple as you’ve been told.
52 min
21
Ep 061: Why Reading Matters for Ministry, with ...
If we want to become pastors with gravitas, one of the most proven and effective ways to do it is by committing ourselves to a program of wide, regular reading.
50 min
22
Ep 060: How Just Showing Up Can Change Everythi...
We’re not called to change the world, we’re called to simple acts of everyday faithfulness
43 min
23
Ep 059: How Churches Can Stop Burning Out Pasto...
Good stewardship of a pastor’s time and energy should not be measured by what they do, but by what they focus on.
54 min
24
Ep 058: The Power of Prayer In Church Revitaliz...
What if your congregation was praying New Testament prayers for church revitalization?
54 min
25
Ep 057: How to Turn Board Meetings Into God Mee...
Is it possible for a church to cancel board meetings entirely? Dave Beckwith thinks so.
39 min