Posts by Mark Howell
Designing Your Small Group Ministry to Get To There
Ready to see change in your small group ministry? Ready for the day when your small group system really is producing life-change? Not in pockets or individuals but in number? How many times have you thought, “I’ll give this one more try?” How many times have you thought, “Maybe we should just give up!” I…
Read MoreReady for an Assumption Hunt?
Once you’ve begun the process of performing a system checkup you’ll probably find yourself running up against some issues that seem like they’re set in stone. Insurmountable. When you get to there, you will need to go on what Gary Hamel calls an assumption hunt. Why? Assumptions can kill off any change initiative…even before it…
Read MoreIs It Time for a System Checkup?
How’s your small group system? Winning? Workable? Wobbly? Weak? Is it time for a system checkup? We’ve all been to the doctor for a checkup. Most of us have taken our car in for an oil change that includes an “18 point inspection.” Have you ever put your small group system through a diagnostic checkup? …
Read MoreHow Are You Connecting with Leaders and Coaches?
How are you connecting with your leaders and coaches for encouragement and training? Still calling a monthly meeting? You may want to think about shifting some of those meetings to conference call or better yet…a video conference call! One of the challenges almost anywhere you live now is that attending a one hour meeting is…
Read MoreIt Is What It Is
As I've written previously, I evaluate the effectiveness of small group strategy through a carefully developed process. My process is based on three assumptions and the first assumption I make is that "it is what it is." That is, what is happening in your small group ministry right now is directly related to the way…
Read MoreLaunching Groups That Connect with Your Community
New 4 Week Telecourse: Launching Groups That Connect with Your Community Looking for a way to connect with your community? Trying to figure out how to develop a "crowd-to-core" small group strategy? Available for limited time at $49.95, our new 4 week telecourse could be just what you need. Packed with practical ideas and a…
Read MoreInnovation3?
Anybody planning on catching Innovation3? Be sure and let me know you're going to be there. Always good to get time to connect!
Read MoreThe Pursuit of Problem-Free
One of the assumptions I have about strategy and strategic planning is that there is no problem-free solution. In other words, every solution has a set of problems that accompanies it. How do you determine which solution to use? Most groups simply go along with the loudest voice or the most powerful voice…or the most…
Read MoreWhere Will I Be?
I'm excited about my upcoming schedule! I've got some breakouts planned on topics that I love talking about (including GettingToThere). Really looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends around the country over the next few months! Will you be there? Be sure and let me know! Here's where I'll be: January 27-28, Dallas,…
Read MoreLeveraging Communication Tools
How are you communicating with your small group leaders and hosts? How hard (or easy) is it for you to get the word out about upcoming events, recommended curriculum, and leader development? How do you do it? Still using a print newsletter? Sending an email out to a list? Smiling and dialing? In this post…
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