Karl Vaters

About Karl Vaters

Karl Vaters is the author of The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches and the Small Thinking That Divides Us. He’s been in pastoral ministry for over 30 years and has been the lead pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California for over 20 years. He’s also the founder of NewSmallChurch.com, a blog that encourages, connects and equips innovative Small Church pastors.

Forget Numbers: Here Are Signs of a Healthy Church

August 29, 2025 by Karl Vaters Articles, Strategy

I’ve been compiling a list of signs of a healthy church. Numbers may inform us, but they don’t define us. Here are some other signs.

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Reality Check: Your Church Plant Might Start (and Stay) Small

August 28, 2025 by Karl Vaters Articles

Three facts sit atop my “things I wish someone had told me in Bible college” list.

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Are You Hitting A Church Growth Barrier?

August 1, 2025 by Karl Vaters Articles, Discipleship

What can a hands-on, shepherding pastor do to stay in pastoral mode when facing a church growth barrier?

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One Great Idea to Increase End of Year Giving

December 23, 2024 by Karl Vaters Articles, Finances

Many churches (like every one I’ve ever pastored) either stay flat or they experience a financial downturn in the end of year giving.

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We Can’t Predict The Crowd, So Let’s Do Good Ministry

August 1, 2023 by Karl Vaters Articles, Leadership

The size of the crowd has nothing to do with the value of the content or ministry. Or vice versa. So then, do good ministry.

Dealing With Control Freaks in a Small Church

July 17, 2023 by Karl Vaters Articles, How To's

Small churches don’t attract passive people, unhealthy churches create them. And then, they often become your biggest control freaks.

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