Episode 41 - Karl Vaters Talks Small Church Ministry In Croatia

This week on Episode 41 of the 200churches Podcast Jonny and I welcome back Karl Vaters. Karl is the pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, CA, the founder of NewSmallChurch.com, and the author of The Grasshopper Myth - Big Churches, Small Churches, and the Small Thinking that Divides Us.

Karl joins us today to talk about his visit to Croatia. A friend of a friend of a friend ended up reading Karl's book and realizing how much the small church pastors (they're all small churches!) in Croatia would benefit from Karl's message. He was invited, and in September he was able to travel there and speak in three different churches in Croatia, as well as with some chaplains at an American Army base in Germany.

Where is Croatia? Glad you asked... It is one of six nations that used to be known together as Yugoslavia.

Karl was challenged by the faith of the people he met with and ministered to, and his heart broke when he realized what the church growth emphasis coming from America has done to their confidence as small churches and small church pastors.

In the wrap up to the podcast, Jeff talks about a part of their conversation that did not make it onto the recording, where Karl spoke about his friend's church. It is a church of 3,000 - that has multiple locations, venues, and service times. So this church never has a crowd of more than 350 meeting in any one place at any one time. This large church has to become a number of small churches in order to accomplish ministry most effectively! Now when you hear them talking about, you'll know the context.

If you do not have Karl's book, The Grasshopper Myth, send us an email - we have a few copies and we will send you one as long as they last. (see our Contact tab at the top of this web page) - or, buy your's from Amazon by clicking on the picture below. 

Karl has a great website for small church pastors! Check it out and be sure to click on the "Start Here" tab at the top.
We hope you are encouraged as a small church pastor by listening to this episode!