Posts by Mark Howell
Five 21st Century Culture Shifts (that are impacting the effectiveness of 20th century models)
Note: This was originally published on February 10, 2020. COVID-19 had not arrived in the U.S. I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I’m assembling something (like the standing desk I bought from IKEA), it can be a little frustrating. Know what I’m talking about? The printed instructions are often unclear. The standing desk’s…
Read MoreTop 5 Church-Wide Campaigns for 2020
Planning a church-wide campaign for 2020? If you’re thinking about fall, 2020, you’ve still got plenty of time. If you’re thinking about post Easter…it’s time to decide! See also, When Is the Best Time to Launch a Church-Wide Campaign. While choosing the best church-wide campaigns is certainly subjective, I’ve made these selections with over 15 years…
Read MoreTake a Look at Time to Dream: Saddleback’s Newest Church-Wide Campaign
Thinking about your next church-wide campaign? Maybe you’re looking for campaign that will unite your congregation on mission. Or a campaign that will provide everyone a next step that will help them grow spiritually. Maybe you’re just aware that a church-wide campaign offers the very best way to connect the largest number of people and…
Read MoreDo you know about GroupLife Insider?
I launched GroupLife Insider, my membership site, 2 years ago. Why a membership site? As much as I enjoy sharing my insights, strategies, tips and ideas here on MarkHowellLive.com, there has always been a limit to how much I could develop and give away for free. Like you, I have a day job. And like…
Read MoreLife Change at the Member Level Begins with You
The optimal environment for life change is a small group. We’ve all heard that line for years. Most of us have said that line so frequently that it is now an automatic response when we hear a counter opinion. And yet…is it really true? And if it is true, is it a given? Or does…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Preferred Future?
What is your preferred future? Ever thought about that? I know. It’s one thing to think about the preferred future for your small group ministry. Or the preferred future for your small group leaders or coaches. But, it’s another thing to think about your preferred future. When I think about my own preferred future, I…
Read MoreTop 10 Reasons Church-Wide Campaigns Fail
While there is no question that a church-wide campaign is the most powerful strategy for launching a wave of new groups, there is quite a difference between the results of a well conceived, well planned and well executed campaign and anything less. See also, Ranking the Most Powerful Strategies for Launching New Groups. Church-wide campaigns that…
Read MoreMy 2020 Hope, Desire and Commitment
I begin every year with a sense of what I need to do differently. I think about what I need to do differently for three reasons: First, I believe Einstein was right when he said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Second, I believe Andy…
Read More5 Things to Do in January (that lead to more groups in 2020)
5 Things to Do in January (that lead to more groups in 2020) Want to connect more people in 2020? There are a few things you can do now to exponentially increase the number you connect. Here are 5 things to do: 1. Plan a connecting event in late January or early February. If you…
Read MoreMy 2019 Christmas Reading List
Leaders are readers. What have you read in 2019? What will you read in 2020? My senior pastor during my seminary years told me you could tell when a person’s mind died by the last copyrights on their bookshelves. I’ve always found that something to guard myself against. And so…I am a reader. Here’s what’s…
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