Posts by Mark Howell
Three Itsy Bitsy Strategic Tweaks with Exponential Impact
Ever noticed that sometimes the tiniest changes can have the largest impact? For example, an oil tanker has a massive rudder designed to turn the ship. It’s huge and would take enormous power to change directions…if not for a much smaller part called a trim tab. The trim tab is essentially a small flap that when it’s…
Read MoreEmpty Promises: A Compelling New Study from Pete Wilson
Had an opportunity this weekend to dive into Empty Promises, Pete Wilson’s newest DVD-driven study. Wilson, the founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee is widely recognized as one of America’s most creative communicators. This study makes it easy to see why. Based on his recent book, Empty Promises: The Truth About You, Your Desires,…
Read MoreDilbert on Identifying Hundred Fold Coaching Candidates
I’m not sure you’ll see where I’m going here…but what about rigging up something like this to figure out who top coaching candidates might be?
Read MoreThree Little GroupLife Secrets No One Ever Tells You
I don’t know if you’ve picked up on these already. But there are three little grouplife secrets no one ever tells you. There’s a reason unconnected people haven’t joined a group. And I think I know what you’re thinking. “They’re not in a group because they’re not spiritual enough, they’re too busy or they have…
Read MoreQuotebook: Leadership and Change
We’re operating in a time where the only constant is change. Think about it. Think about your world just 10 years ago. How about just 5 years ago! So different. Moving so fast. If you’re operating in the same world I am, you’re going to need this understanding: “Management is about coping with complexity…Leadership is…
Read MoreHow to Arrive at a New Destination
Know you need to take your church to a new place? Maybe you’ve realized that where you’re heading as a congregation isn’t a good destination. Maybe a few of your leadership team has begun to understand the handwriting on the wall. You just know you need to move in a new direction. You need to…
Read MoreSaddleback’s Newest Church-Wide Campaign: 40 Days in the Word
I had a chance this week to take a look at 40 Days in the Word, Saddleback’s newest church-wide campaign. Released earlier in 2012, it’s truly a church-wide study. With special curriculum for children and messages for junior high and senior high students, 40 Days in the Word is designed to be done system wide.…
Read MoreWarning: These 5 Shortcuts Impact Results
I’m often asked to consult with churches about the design and launch of a church-wide campaign. There’s a best way to do it. There’s a strategy that has maximum impact. It takes commitment, preparation and attention to detail. Design and launch the right way…and big impact is likely. Take a shortcut or two…and you can…
Read MoreQuotebook: Determination
I’ve often pointed out that building a pervasive small group ministry happens over years. It’s about the long run. It’s a marathon…not a sprint. It takes determination. I love this line from Todd Henry: The path to great work is littered with the remnants of abandoned projects and half-baked concepts that were never fully mined…
Read MoreThree Outcomes That Must Be Designed Into Every Church-Wide Campaign
What will you end up with when the dust clears on your church-wide campaign? Have you thought about that? I believe that so much energy goes into the planning and implementation of a church-wide campaign that it’s very common for outcomes to be no more than an afterthought. Staff teams invest so much in the…
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