Key Takeaways

1) We have experienced collective trauma over the past year. Seriously, consider what Karl is saying. Most importantly, when people (us) are in trauma, they lose their ability to think logically, instead living on emotion and action. If there’s anything to describe the past 15 months, that would be it.

2) Your people need to know that you want them back for them, not for what they can do for the ministry. As Karl says, “We need to let our volunteers know that they are not only welcome, but encouraged, to come back even if they have nothing to offer.” Let’s make it safe for people to come and be refreshed. And a quick tip that Karl shares to make that happen? Shorten your preaching. Lengthen your worship.

3) When we take everything on to ourselves, it’s that much harder to let it all go again. This has been a concern for me since the start of the pandemic, and I know it will translate into overwhelmed pastors, some of whom will end up resigning from the pastorate. You can’t keep living at the pace you’ve been running at. We either need to cut back on what we offer or give responsibility away.

Links to Resources Mentioned or Related

• Karl Vaters’ Website
• Can it Work in a Small Church? [coming very soon!]
• Your Small Church is a BIG Deal (w/ Chris Vitarelli) – Episode 81
• Rich Birch on Leading in Crisis Mode, Recovering Volunteerism, and the Most Negative Thing He’s Ever Said On A Podcast – Episode 72
• Use code PODCAST to get 10% off anything in our store!
• Read Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They’d Be There By Now
• Join us with your spouse for the From Stalled to Freedom Conference in Greenville!
• Watch Podcast on YouTube

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