By Karl Vaters
My copy paperback 252 pages
Genre: non-fiction church leadership
Published: 2018
I really like Karl Vaters' blogging, teaching, etc. I heard him speak at a conference once. This book appealed to me because he stresses that small churches and big churches are different - both can do important work, but they are different. He also stresses that the health of the church is more important than its size.
Page 27 - I like that he talked about churches finding their strengths and focusing energy there. He identified healthy churches - planting, training, house, retirement community, niche, countercultural, impoverished, persecuted, transitional, and strategic - and how they can be small and healthy. I'm not sure what our church is best at!
Page 118 - "Never ask for a decision on a change or a big issue in the same meeting in which the subject is introduced. People need time to let important issues steep."
This is great advice! "Think time" is so helpful when something important is at stake.
Page 139 - He lists some questions for us to ask ourselves:
- What does our church already do well?
- What can our church do really well?
- What do we want to be known for?
- Have we been missing the mark?
- How can we clear the clutter and focus on what we do well?
Page 152-3 This is really important stuff for us to talk about!
- What are your three (or four) least effective areas of ministry right now?
- Which need should we tackle first?
- How can we divide this project into doable pieces?
- How will we know when we've accomplished our goals?
Page 225-228
He gives a leadership meeting checklist. I love it.
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