Pastor and author Karl Vaters is a key voice for today’s spiritual leaders. In a culture highlighting big churches and impressive stats, many ministers feel like failures. But what about tiny churches in small towns? What about the average size church which chooses to send ministers out instead of holding more people inside and hiring a huge staff? Too many great pastors are leaving ministry because of the pressure toward cultural success. Pastor Vaters brings deep knowledge from years of studying and pastoring. He learned how to define success in ministry without numbers attached to it. Through Karl’s speaking and writing, he offers better views toward church health. Defining church success with numbers is relatively new in church history. American church development has historically moved from stages of revival to management to activism. During the present activism season, Karl states the things which matter most. His book—De-sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next—provides a healthy perspective for why the church is truly created. His conversation with Chris and Tracy is just what is needed during these days.

https://karlvaters.com/

This episode of Next Step Leadership offers the second part of the conversation Tracy and Chris had with Pastor Justin Blankenship. As Senior Pastor of Landmark Church in Purcell, OK, Justin discusses how he serves in ministry during these difficult days. Many pastors are leaving their profession. Some are even questioning or departing the faith. Followers of Christ are choosing to abandon church. Stories like Justin’s are just the type of optimism, honesty, and hopeful narratives today’s audiences need to hear. Pastor Justin knows the hurts and wounds of church and ministry. But he serves with the heart of Jesus. Hear that heart through his words. Decide how you can also serve like Jesus in these days of division.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Justin-Blankenship-100095258405089/
https://landmarkchurchok.com/our-team-v2/

Pastor Justin Blankenship is an ideal guest for Chris and Tracy’s Next Step Leadership podcast. Justin serves as Senior Pastor of Landmark Church in Purcell, Oklahoma. He also is a preacher’s son. He knows all the stories of churches and movements and trends and pastors’ families. He also knows about letting family be a priority, keeping goals in place, and truly caring for others. Through his deep love for God and people, Justin sets a wonderful example for the type of clergy desperately needed in today’s society. Listen to the conversation. Hear Justin’s heart. Learn from his gentle wisdom. Think of what you can gain and apply from his story.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Justin-Blankenship-100095258405089/
https://landmarkchurchok.com/our-team-v2/