Posts by Mark Howell
Would Your Groups Wrestle with the Challenge of Homelessness?
Yesterday I mentioned that my ideal group will make having an impact a natural thing. Maybe yours will too! A friend at one of the sponsoring organizations let me know about Time to Listen, a 15 minute film focusing on the stories of six different homeless individuals and how they navigate life. I watched it. It’s…
Read MoreThe End in Mind for My Ideal Small Group
Ever spent any time thinking about your ideal small group? What would it be like? What kind of people would be part of it? What would you do together? What difference would it make in your life to be part of a group like that? Ever had those thoughts? I suppose you’ve got good memories…
Read MoreThis Simple Coaching Idea Pays Big Dividends
A very simple idea. Three simple steps. This simple coaching idea will pay big dividends! Step One: Take 5 minutes now to understand the concept. Step Two: Teach it to your coaches this summer. Step Three: Begin implementing with your leaders this fall! Here’s the set-up: You’ve heard me say this: “Whatever you want to…
Read MoreTop 5 Keys to Starting New Groups. Lots of New Groups.
If you’ve been along for any of this conversation, you know that I believe unconnected people are always one tough thing away from not being around. Always. An illness. A difficult marriage or divorce. The loss of a job. A child making bad decisions. One tough thing. One. I know that and you do too.…
Read MoreReal Win: A New DVD-Driven Study featuring Colt McCoy and Matt Carter
Took some time this week to review a new DVD-driven men’s study featuring NFL quarterback Colt McCoy and Matt Carter, founding pastor of The Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas. McCoy, the starting quarterback for the University of Texas Longhorns from 2006 to 2009, met Carter while attending church. A six session study, Real…
Read MoreAn Analysis of the Free Market Small Group System
One of several popular small group systems is called Free Market. Taking its name from one of the basic concepts of economics, a free market system allows and encourages leaders to choose the study (or activity) they’d like to do (as opposed to a controlled or regulated model where they’re told what to do). Free…
Read MoreNew from Priscilla Shirer | Gideon: Your Weakness, God’s Strength
Had an opportunity to review Gideon: Your Weakness, God’s Strength, the newest study from Priscilla Shirer today. The daughter of well-known pastor Tony Evans, Shirer is a very popular teacher in her own right. A dynamic communicator, this is a study that will resonate very well with many Bible study groups. When I pulled this study out…
Read More*And Some People Will Still Leave
In a recent article I wrote that one of the artificial barriers limiting small group ministry growth is too many selections on the next step menu. You know that scenario right? Even if you’ve worked hard to become a simple church and you’ve embraced the idea of narrowing the focus, you’re probably still in the…
Read MoreIs an Artificial Barrier Limiting Growth in Your Small Group Ministry?
If you’re like many, you’ve wrestled with the question, “Why can’t we break through this barrier?” Here are what I believe are five of the most common artificial barriers that limit small group ministry: Five common artificial barriers that limit small group ministry 1. The impression that the weekend service meets the minimum weekly participation…
Read MoreTop 10 Posts of June, 2013
Here are my top 10 posts of June, 2013. I had visitors from 78 countries around the world (thanks for stopping by!). By the way, these are my top 10 most read posts in June, but 797 of my posts were read at least once! Thanks for reading! How to Launch Groups Using a Small…
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