Posts by Mark Howell
Four GroupLife Urban Legends That Might Be Killing Your Ministry
Feel like you’re spinning your wheels? Can’t ever seem to make real progress in building your small group ministry? It may be that you’ve fallen for one or more grouplife urban legends. Four GroupLife Urban Legends (that Might Be Killing Your Small Group Ministry) 1. I owe it to my leaders to reinforce the weakest…
Read MoreWant to Move Your Ministry to the Next Level? Join My 2013 Coaching Network
Looking for an opportunity to grow in your ability to connect beyond usual suspects? I want to invite you to join my 2013 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network; an experience designed to give you the tools and strategies you need in order to build a small group ministry that works in the 21st century. The…
Read MoreDoes What You’re Promoting Matter to the Right People?
You’ve had plenty of recommendations and requests from current group leaders. Your senior pastor has dropped off the latest Max Lucado or Tim Keller book on your desk (complete with post-it note: This looks great!). You’ve read the reviews and searched the catalogues for ideas. You’ve asked ministry friends what they’ve used and thumbed through…
Read MoreNew Discipleship Resource from Greg Laurie: Start to Follow
“When you hear the word disciple, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of the twelve disciples who tramped along behind Jesus through the Judean wilderness and the dusty streets of Jerusalem? Maybe you visualize their faces in a stained glass church window or in some old painting with little halos over their heads? “But…
Read MoreQuotebook: Life-Change, Circles, and Rows
One of many great lines from Andy Stanley at Re:Group: “The real church is not facility dependent. Never has been. Never will be. The real church is not preacher dependent. Never has been. Never will be. Why? Because life-change happens best in circles, not in rows.” Andy Stanley The real church is not facility dependent.…
Read MoreTrue Everywhere: What GroupLife Strategies Are Geographically Agnostic?
In the last year visitors from 160 countries have stopped by MarkHowellLive.com. 160! That is a humbling statistic! It’s also a more than just a little scary! Half the time I’m amazed. The other half of the time I’m terrified at the implications. I’ve often wondered how much of what I’m advocating works beyond the…
Read MoreLearn the 5 Secrets to a Big Start in 2013
As you probably know, the beginning of the year is the second best opportunity all year to launch more small groups and connect more people. It’s such a good opportunity…but it’s a shame to see it wasted so often! Want to learn the 5 Secrets to a Big (GroupLife) Start in 2013? You’re invited! Join…
Read MoreDilbert on Reporting to Your Supervisor
Due for your next one on one with your supervisor? Here’s a strategy:
Read MoreThe Ability to Say “NO”
Are you so committed to your direction that you’re saying “no” to the things that will take you even slightly off course? One of the most important aspects of your ministry’s trajectory is its determination to say no to the things that will take it in an even slightly different direction. It’s hard to recognize…
Read MoreThe One Thing Every Small Group Pastor Must Do…for Small Group Leaders
Recently my friend Rick Howerton posted an article praising Egli and Marable’s research based, Small Groups Big Impact. Among other principles, Rick referred to a powerful discovery made by Egli and Marable: “The practice that impacts the health and growth of a small group the most is the prayer life of the leader (p. 23).” The practice…
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