Posts by Mark Howell
Quotebook: Deciding What Gets Done
Decisions about what gets done face every one of us. Wise decisions about what gets done can make or break a ministry season. How do you choose? Who among us has the wisdom of Solomon? Here’s a line that I heard and memorized years ago: “Leaders allocate the finite resources of the organization to the…
Read MoreThe Latest on Church Wide Campaigns (2012)
CLICK HERE FOR MY 2017 LIST Saddleback released the 40 Days of Purpose church-wide campaign in 2002. Although they had previously launched internal spiritual growth campaigns, this one really was a just-add-water option. Of course, in 2002 it really was just about the only option. Today, there are lots of options and there are more…
Read MoreWEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working | New DVD-Driven Study
There’s a new DVD-driven study that you’re going to want to take a look at. New from Zondervan, WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working is a great companion to Craig Groeschel’s popular book by the same name. Inspired by Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:13-14 and the central idea that the “broad road leads to destruction” (normal) and…
Read MoreCustomized Leader Requirements and Benefits
If you’ve been following the conversation here for very long you know that I am an advocate for lowering the leader bar. In fact, I’ve found that one of the primary reasons many churches struggle to identify and recruit enough small group leaders to take care of the demand is that they’re looking for Jesus…
Read MoreCommunity: Taking Your Small Group Off Life Support
One of the most challenging new books on small group ministry? In my mind it is Community: Taking Your Small Group Off Life Support by Mars Hill’s Brad House. Published by Crossway, this is not your run-of-the-mill book on groups. Although the subtitle suggests that this is a book for small group leaders, it’s really…
Read MoreQuotebook: Ministry Design Determines Results
Wondering why your small group ministry is stuck? Trying to figure out why you can’t connect more people? Why your leader recruitment strategy didn’t work…again? I love this line from Andy Stanley: “Your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you’re currently experiencing.” Here’s my encouragement. As you mull over your stuckness, pay close…
Read MoreMake It Easy to Connect People
I was reminded again tonight about a key ingredient that makes it easy to connect people. Just like In-n-Out, a simple menu makes ordering easy. There are only burgers, fries, soft drinks and shakes. When you walk up to the counter to order, it’s obvious what to do. There aren’t 14 value meal options. There are three.…
Read MoreDilbert on “Ask the Theologian Night at Small Group”
Read MoreGodQuest: Discover the God Your Heart Is Searching For
I had the opportunity to take a look at an interesting new church-wide campaign this weekend. New from Outreach, GodQuest: Discovering the God Your Heart Is Searching For is a 6 week study that just might be something you need to check out. The GodQuest church kit is a very robust resource. In addition to…
Read MoreCheck Out These Small Group Ministry Resources
Looking for grouplife resources? Here are folks that help make MarkHowellLive.com happen: Live Like You Were Dying: a church-wide campaign inspired by the Grammy award winning song. Developed by a team that helped launch the 40 Days of Purpose, the DVD features teaching by Gary Smalley. Churchteams: a pioneer in small group ministry software, Churchteams…
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