In this conversation on the Christianity Without Compromise podcast, host Jake Doberenz interviews church planter Justin Belt about challenging the modern obsession with church size and attendance. Justin shares his personal journey of hearing God’s call to plant a church, only to find that obedience did not lead to instant success, large crowds, or external validation. He unpacks the idolization of numbers in church culture—why pastors often equate growth with God’s favor—and contrasts it with a biblical model that prizes faithfulness, discipleship, and individual care. Justin reflects on the loneliness he and his family experienced in large churches, the struggle of launching a church with no members, and the clarity that came from focusing on obedience rather than outcomes. This episode addresses questions like: Does church size reflect God's blessing? and Is it possible to build a church without big budgets, mentors, or crowds?
Key takeaways from this episode:
Faithfulness beats numbers – Church size isn’t a measure of health or divine favor; God honors obedience, not metrics.
Isolation is common in large churches – Justin shares how being unnoticed in a big congregation led to a deeper desire for relational, community-based ministry.
God’s timing shapes the journey – A delayed calling taught Justin that spiritual growth and preparation often take longer than expected, but are vital for sustainable ministry.
Important Links:
Justin Belt’s church plant: https://pursuitdfw.org
Justin’s Substack newsletter: What Are You Pursuing? by
Justin Belt is a church planter based in Frisco, Texas, where he leads Pursuit Church—a home-based congregation committed to simple, faithful expressions of worship and discipleship. With a background in worship ministry and a passion for writing, Belt challenges conventional church models and encourages others to pursue God’s vision over cultural expectations.
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Follow this show and Jake Doberenz’s writings at jakedoberenz.substack.com.
Christianity Without Compromise is a part of the KFM Broadcasting network.
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