Posts by Mark Howell
New from Andy Stanley: Christian: It’s Not What You Think
Had a chance this week to review Andy Stanley’s newest DVD-driven study, Christian: It’s Not What You Think. Wow! So good. Based on a series that North Point did about this time last year, this 8 week series will be a great study for many groups. Stanley’s central idea is that the words used today…
Read MoreWhat Does Small Group Coaching Look Like in Your Preferred Future?
If you’ve been following the conversation here, you know that we’re always talking about the preferred future. Always. Right? Don’t believe me? Look at all the articles that have preferred future in the title! We ask, what will the leaders be like in the preferred future in order to provide group members the experience they…
Read MoreWould You Take My Reader Survey?
I’d love to get just a little feedback from you. Would you take 90 seconds and answer 4 quick questions? You can take the survey by clicking right here. Thanks for your help!
Read MoreCould Your Group Host an Easter Party?
I’ve been saying for a number of years that in post-Christian America it becomes more likely every day that the easier first step is “come on over.” Although research still is cited that indicates a significant percentage of people will attend if you invite them to come to a service, we are clearly in a…
Read MoreEssential Ingredient #1: Infused with God’s Word
I recently posted a list of 10 key ingredients for life-change. Are these the only 10? Probably not. But I can tell you this…I really do believe there are essential ingredients if you want life-change to occur and you’d be off target if you thought these were optional ingredients. Is there an order of priority? Is…
Read MoreWonderstruck: A New DVD-Driven Study from Margaret Feinberg
Several months ago I reviewed Margaret Feinberg’s latest book, Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God. A popular speaker at conferences like Catalyst, RightNow, and Thrive, as well as one of the most creative and engaging authors I know, I was really excited to see the DVD-driven study that now accompanies the book. Trust me…I…
Read MoreSomething to Chew On: Making Choices vs Having Options
What do you believe about the upside of having options? I am loving Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works, a new book by A.G. Lafley and Roger Martin. Here’s a great line from A.G. Lafley, former CEO of Proctor and Gamble: “In my now forty-plus years in business, I have found that most leaders…
Read MoreSkill Training: Top 10 Ideas for a Great First Meeting
Any time you’re starting a new small group, a great first meeting is very important. I include these ideas on a simple handout inside every new leader packet. Be sure and refer to the ABCs of a Great Start for Your Connection Group for important tips on making sure your group members come to the…
Read MoreSkill Training: Design Your Group Meeting for Life-Change
Want to have the kind of group where real life-change happens? Want to know that you’re meeting is actually designed to be the “optimal environment for life-change?” The way your meeting is designed makes a difference. Remember, your meeting is perfectly designed to produce the results you’re currently experiencing.* The way your meeting is designed…
Read MoreIs The Bible Miniseries on Your Radar?
Did you see it? Or miss it? Either way, it’s not too late to catch Episode 1 later this week on the History Channel. Produced by Mark Burnett (producer of Survivor, The Voice and The Apprentice) and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel), this series is set up to be the main topic of a…
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