The Church Lobby
Karl VatersKarl Vaters interviews church leaders about the important issues of faith and ministry. It's called The Church Lobby because: The church lobby is where the church meets and does ministry. The church lobby moves conversations from the stage to the floor. The church lobby is a good place to take the temperature of a church’s health. Karl Vaters is the author of several books, including Small Church ... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 135 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ChristianityReligion & Spirituality | |||
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Latest Episodes
“What's wrong with being just a normal church?” That’s the question at the center of Thomas Austin’s song, Normal Church.
In this episode, Karl Vaters interviews Thomas Austin about the content of his song, including where the idea for it came from,... more
Discontent is a tricky monster. It’s so easy to spot it in others, but easy to overlook in ourselves.
Karl Vaters interviews pastor Chris Maxwell about what contentment is not (laziness or mediocrity), what it is (an inner peace), what causes so muc... more
Kevin Foster is the founding pastor of LifeBridge Community Church in Fresno, CA, a church that made a radical shift in emphasis several years ago when the brokenness of the people in their lower income city led them to run to the brokenness.
Karl a... more
Karl Vaters talks with Sam Rainer about some massive changes that are happening, and how the looming pastoral shortage will affect everything about the way churches function in the next generation or two.
Based on Sam’s article, The Coming Massive W... more
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- Microphone
Your microphone volume has been low for many months. The ad volume was high and clear in comparison. I’ve had trouble listening and the content is wonderful. I want to hear it better. Thanks and blessings
Apple Podcasts5Fr. Howard
United Statesa year ago - Great wisdom
Powerful, practical, and biblical wisdom to lead any church no matter the size. I’m a music leader for my local, small church and these conversations and suggestions will build your knowledge, your humility and encourage you. Just Wonderful! Every church should use this tool and resource.
Apple Podcasts5tellis478United States4 years ago - 6 stars… no really
Karl is a gift to small church pastors. I’m sorry to say I didn’t catch this from the beginning, but now I get to binge 2 months worth at once. That means more great moments like Darth Vader wielding a dog brush. Lots of guys have been championing small church over the last 5 years, but Karl was the original. Thankful God has enabled him.
Apple Podcasts5Apostle84United States5 years ago - So needed!
Karl Vaters has his finger on the pulse of a small church. Make sure to check out his book The Grasshopper Myth. Changed my view of what the small church is. Great stuff!
Apple Podcasts5Pastor James TurnesUnited States5 years ago - Finally!
This is great. I love the premise. Big churches are good and have their place, but solutions for a big church and a small church are different. Thank you for making this.
Apple Podcasts5Mdehnert82United States5 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #141 |  Russia/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Church Lobby
What is The Church Lobby about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show centers on practical ministry leadership with a strong emphasis on small-to-mid sized churches. Episodes blend hands-on strategies for governance, discipleship, volunteer engagement, and mental health within faith communities, often featuring pastors, authors, and researchers who offer actionable frameworks (e.g., care ministries, slower growth models, and discipline-based discipleship). Notable threads include prioritizing rest and margins for leaders, rethinking traditional growth metrics, and weaving humility, authenticity, and relational care into church life. A distinctive trait is consistently highlighting the needs and realities of smaller churches while inviting diverse expert guests to translate big concepts into doable s... more
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How many listeners does The Church Lobby get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Church Lobby?
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How many subscribers and views does The Church Lobby have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Church Lobby?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Church Lobby:
1. The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
2. The Unstuck Church Podcast
3. Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
4. The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast
5. Theology in the Raw
How many episodes of The Church Lobby are there?
The Church Lobby launched 5 years ago and published 135 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The Church Lobby?
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What guests have appeared on The Church Lobby?
Recent guests on The Church Lobby include:
1. Chris Maxwell
2. Kevin Foster
3. Sam Rainer
4. Chris Paavola
5. Shaunti Feldhahn
6. James Sells
7. Darryl Dash
8. Kurt W. Bubna
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.