MarkHowellLive.com

Have you found a way to help your groups make it through the holidays?  You know how it is.  Groups start off with a bang in September, many times transition to a second study in mid-October, and then just before Thanksgiving reach for the pause button. “We’ve got so much going on…it just makes more [...]

In terms of small groups philosophy of ministry, the open or closed group question is very big.  Both sides have some good arguments.  Like every other argument there is no problem-free solution.  Although I believe there are times when it is both appropriate and beneficial to “close” a group, for the most part I am [...]

Looking for a small group ministry system?  You might want to check out Creating Community: Five Keys to Building a Small Group Culture for some insight into the way that North Point Community Church has structured and built their system.  Written by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits, Creating Community provides a good look at some [...]

The Connecting Church by Randy Frazee is based on a core idea that there is more room for life when you simplify or streamline your small group relationships to center on the people who live near you.  In fact, Frazee’s followup to The Connecting Church, Making Room For Life, is even more centered on that [...]

When comparing small group ministry strategies and systems there are some fundamental questions to consider. What are the requirements to be a leader? What does a new member commit to? How will you care for the leaders? How does a new group begin? What materials can be used? One of the most effective small group [...]

What is the best way to do small group ministry?  Is it better to use a free-market approach?  Does a sermon-based group strategy make sense in a seeker-sensitive church?  Can we kind of do a mash-up of several strategies and come up with one that really works for our community and our congregation? These are [...]

One of the coolest parts of what I get to do is interview game-changing small group innovators and thought leaders from some of the best of group land. We had a great call today with Jeff Galley, Central Team Leader for LifeGroups/LifeMissions at LifeChurch.tv. As you can imagine, there are very few dull moments around [...]

You’ve probably heard of the meta church small group model.  It’s long held a kind of buzz word status in small group land.  The truth is there’s a good chance that you’re already using elements of it without even knowing it.  In fact, when you pick up a book like Creating Community or Building a [...]

Although sermon based small groups is an idea that’s been around for many years, it was recently brought back into the limelight by Larry Osborne’s book, Sticky Church.  In his book Osborne shares the North Coast Church small group strategy.  While there are other elements (at North Coast it is used in combination with a [...]

Looking for a way to promote group life at your church?  This humorous clip developed by the crazy cats at Central Christian Church in Vegas and available from  Worship House Media does a good job highlighting that some things in life are better together.  Check it out: You’ll find additional media ideas right here.