Have you ever wanted your church to be friendlier to newcomers? In many churches, the problem isn’t that people don’t want to be friendly, they just don’t know how. What if your church had a plan that could increase the friendliness quotient of our church immediately, painlessly, and permanently? 
Karl Vaters will walk us through his G.I.F.T. Plan that has given hundreds of congregations a simple, memorable way to become a friendlier, more welcoming church. 

Karl  Vaters’ heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church – something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. He also believes that big and small churches can and should work together more often – to the benefit and blessing of everyone. produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com. Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry. Episodes feature in-depth interviews about the topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context. Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. He and his wife, Shelley have three children and two grandkids.