In the latest episode of the Gospel for Life podcast, host Darryl Dash and guest Karl Vaters engage in a discussion about the need for a shift in how churches measure success based on Karl’s book De-sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next.
Shifting from a focus on numerical growth to discipleship is more in line with Jesus' teachings. This conversation illuminates the path forward for pastors and church leaders feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of societal expectations.
Listen to the podcast below or on your favorite podcast platform.
The Core Mission: Discipleship Over Growth
Karl Vaters passionately argues that the church's primary mission should revolve around discipleship rather than an increase in attendance. Vaters underscores that while churches may experience numerical growth by focusing on following Christ and His mission, this growth should not be the ultimate goal.
Discipleship aligns with the Great Commission left by Jesus, urging believers to make disciples of all nations. Vaters suggests that, despite the popularity of large megachurches, smaller congregations can offer significant opportunities for meaningful discipleship.
Alternative Metrics for Church Health
One of the episode's most valuable contributions is the exploration of alternative metrics for assessing church health. Karl Vaters presents a church health assessment tool with 16 statements in four categories: theology, worship, community outreach, and spiritual growth. This tool allows churches to self-assess their health beyond mere numbers.
Vaters highlights the significance of non-numerical metrics, including the congregation's spiritual maturity, genuine worship, and deep theological understanding. By using these measures, churches can foster a more holistic approach to their community's spiritual well-being.
The Perils of Christian Celebrity Culture
The podcast delves into the seductive allure of Christian celebrity culture. Vaters and Dash voice serious concerns regarding pastors who seek celebrity status, as this ambition frequently results in moral failures. Vaters explains that the hunger for fame can distract pastors from their true calling of serving God and their congregation.
Personal anecdotes highlight cases where faithful service in smaller congregations has had profound impacts, despite a lack of public recognition. Dash tells a moving story of a dedicated pastor in Saskatoon who quietly plants churches and nurtures his community, embodying pastoral humility.
Lessons from Church History: The Church Growth Movement
Vaters discusses the history of the Church Growth Movement, highlighting its roots in missionary Donald McGavran's observations in India and Africa during the early to mid-20th century. McGavran’s work aimed to increase the percentage of Christians in a community, but in North America, it morphed into a "bigger is better" mindset.This change was influenced by economic factors like bigger donations and larger church buildings, reflecting the industrial and corporate spirit of the 1950s to 1980s..
While the church growth movement encouraged sharing ideas and resources among denominations, it also led to an unhealthy focus on church size. Vaters highlights the need to extricate from this mindset and value the health and mission of the church over its size.
Encouragement for Small Church Pastors
The episode offers poignant encouragement to pastors of small churches, emphasizing that their work is significant and impactful. Vaters reassures them that they are likely more effective than they realize, particularly in fostering tight-knit, spiritually mature communities.
A crucial element of this encouragement is fostering a sense of gratitude. Vaters emphasizes that embracing gratitude for past blessings is essential for overcoming life's obstacles—an invaluable lesson for anyone. Visiting small churches globally, he found inspiration in the faithfulness and diversity of God’s people.
Redefining Success in the Church
In concluding this episode, Karl Vaters calls for a redefinition of success in ministry. Churches must shift from the "myth of inevitability" in growth principles and instead measure success by health and adherence to Christ’s mission. Encouraging pastors serving smaller congregations and providing tailored resources for them is crucial.
This episode encourages listeners to value the deep, transformative work happening in their communities, regardless of size. By embracing faithfulness over fame, and discipleship over mere attendance, churches can align more authentically with the teachings of Jesus and foster truly thriving spiritual communities.
Key Takeaways
- Discipleship Over Growth: Carl Vaders emphasizes a pivotal shift in focus from numerical growth to the mission of making disciples, aligning with Jesus' teachings. He underscores that growth should be a byproduct of focusing on Christ, not the primary goal.
- True Church Health: Explore other ways to measure church health besides attendance figures. Carl discusses a comprehensive church health assessment tool, featuring 16 statements across four key areas, allowing congregations to evaluate their health non-numerically.
- Dangers of Celebrity Culture: The episode dives into the risks and pitfalls of the Christian celebrity culture, discussing the moral failures often associated with pastors seeking fame over serving God. Carl parallels this with insights from his book on the topic.
- Encouragement for Small Church Pastors: Carl offers heartfelt counsel for pastors who may feel discouraged by the pressure to grow. He reassures them of their significant potential impact and the privilege of shepherding smaller congregations.
- Lessons from Church History: Learn about the origins of the church growth movement and its evolution over time, influenced by societal changes and economic opportunities in North America.
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Transcript
Download a PDF transcript of this episode.
