In this interview, we take a deep dive with Karl Vaters, a seasoned pastor and author, as he challenges the conventional obsession with church size. For over 40 years, Carl has been an advocate for small churches and has worked to redefine success beyond just mere numbers.

Whether you're a church leader feeling the pressure to grow or just curious about the future of faith in America, I think you’ll find this interview fascinating, and Karl’s perspective refreshing.

More from Karl:
Visit his website at karlvaters.com to connect with Karl on all his socials
Grab his newest book, De-Sizing the Church, on Amazon and other retailers
Karl's podcast, The Church Lobby, is worth a listen!

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

All of us know that our words have power but too many times we talk as if they don't. In this episode, Paul shares how one simple statement ignited passion and launched him into action. We're sure that you'll be encouraged, and will be challenged to consider the kindness - or lack of - in the words you speak to those around you.

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Does God ever seem distant when you ask him about things that really matter to you? Of course, he does. But the good news is that you aren't alone! Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in prayer has felt that way, and often, the more desperate we are, the longer he seems to take.

In this episode, Paul walks us through Luke 18 and shows us what to do when we face the unopened door of unanswered prayer.

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

As we wrap up our "Restored to Health" miniseries in Psalm 126, the psalmist reminds us that even after we've been restored, there is work to be done.

Even more importantly, he reminds us that the work often still feels like work, and yet he holds out the very real hope that when the sowing brings us pain, the reaping will bring us bounty.

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

We've all been there. We've gone public about something amazing that God has done in our lives, churches, businesses, or ministries only to wake up the next day and find ourselves wondering if it really happened?

In this episode, we can take comfort in the fact that the people of God also lived in the "now and not yet" places we find ourselves. Yes, God had brought back the captives (Psalm 126:1), and yet in Psalm 126:4 they asked Him to do it again.

Or did they?

Let's find out together in part 4 of our "Restored to Health" miniseries in Psalm 126.

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

As we continue our miniseries in Psalm 126, let's talk about the things that mark us when we're living lives that have been restored to health: joy, song, laughter, and the global influence that comes with a life of integrity.

Will we always feel like we're living up to that list? Of course not. But as we'll see in this episode, that doesn't mean that it isn't still true.

Join us as we continue our journey toward restored spiritual and emotional health, and as we learn the power of proclaiming what we remember about God's goodness. Let's overcome the enemy by testifying about what Jesus has done for us!

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

In this episode, Paul kicks off a miniseries diving into the game-changing truths found in Psalm 126, and takes us deeper into the profound wisdom that verse 1 offers for modern living

Learn how gratitude transforms our perspective, calms anxieties, and deepens trust in God's faithfulness. Discover how practicing gratitude reshapes your spiritual journey, cultivating contentment and propelling you toward a life filled with hope and purpose.

Join us on a journey toward restored spiritual and emotional health, and let gratitude be your guide toward the abundant life God promises.

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.