Posts by Mark Howell
Building a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry: Great New Addition to the Groups that Grow Series
Looking for real help in designing and building a dynamic small group ministry? I just finished looking over a new book that I think you’re going to want to see. Building a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry is an important addition to the collection of resources produced by Bill Donahue and his team of former Willow Creek…
Read MoreHow to Engage Everyone: Notes and Resources
I had the great privilege yesterday to give a talk for the Small Group Network on the subject of Engaging Everyone (in a church-wide campaign). Very fun working through the 5 steps of engaging everyone and a really, really important topic. If you missed it, I’ve included a link to the recording right here. Here…
Read MoreWant Downloadable Curriculum? Don’t Miss Zondervan’s Latest Move
Have you seen this? As powerful as DVD-driven curriculum can be, what if you could download it? I like this newest solution from Zondervan and CBD.com. With over 20 of their most popular titles (including Tim Keller’s The Reason for God, Craig Groeschel’s WEiRD, and Max Lucado’s God’s Story, Your Story), this is looking like…
Read MoreNew from J.D. Greear: Presence | Overwhelmed by God
Looking a challenging study? Need something that will take your group members into deeper waters? New from J.D. Greear and Lifeway’s Platform series, Presence: Overwhelmed by God delivers. Greear, senior pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh/Durham, NC, is widely recognized as one of America’s most gifted communicators. It definitely shows on this six session, DVD-driven study. With Exodus 32-34 as…
Read MoreNew from IVP Connect: Field Guide for Small Group Leaders
There are books about small group ministry that are written by theorists and there are books assembled by practitioners. Every once in a while there is a book written by a writer who is also a practitioner. Sam O’Neal’s Field Guide for Small Group Leaders: Setting the Tone, Accommodating Learning Styles, and More is a great example of…
Read MoreDebunking GroupLife Mythology
Ever heard these truths? You have to be a member of a group before you can lead a group. Only closed small groups can develop genuine intimacy. Coaching helps small group leaders develop better technique. Healthy groups grow and birth. Apprenticing is the best way to produce new leaders. What do you think? Believe they’re…
Read MoreWin the Soul Detox Church-Wide Campaign from Zondervan
The contest is closed. We have a winner! Thanks everyone for playing. And thanks Zondervan for a great product and a great prize! I am so excited about the best give-away I’ve ever offered! One of the very best church-wide campaigns I’ve come across in quite a while is Soul Detox: Clean Living in a…
Read MoreTop 10 Signs You May Have Missed the Church OF Groups Off-Ramp
Recognize any of these? You’re still searching for a problem-free grouplife strategy. Your menu of discipleship options looks a lot like buffet at the Bellagio. Your senior pastor is committed…to giving every ministry an equal shot at the megaphone. Your method of wrestling with the aligator is to call everything a group. Abracadabra…we’re a church…
Read MoreEquipping Life-Changing Leaders
In a recent post I reviewed the new edition of Bill Donahue’s Leading Life-Changing Small Groups (which is an essential resource in my opinion) and mentioned the DVD-driven companion resource, Equipping Life-Changing Leaders. Let me say this right at the top…this is a great resource! Several Reasons to Love Equipping Life-Changing Leaders There are several reasons to…
Read MoreCritical Decision: Add Members to Existing Groups vs. Start New Groups?
I had an interesting question last week that prompted this post. Here’s the question: Hey Mark, I am looking for a small group resource that will help a group become more aware of guests – inviting, welcoming, etc. Suggestions? Thinking I understood the situation, I sent the reader a link to Skill Training: Top 10…
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