Posts by Mark Howell
10 Simple Things You Can Do Today to Begin Building a Thriving Small Group Ministry
While there is definitely a list of complicated things you can start doing to build a thriving small group ministry, there is a list of simple things you can start doing. It’s important to remember that simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy. Easy is the opposite of hard or challenging. Simple things are uncomplicated. They can…
Read More10 Assumptions that Shape My Small Group Ministry Strategy
We’ve talked many times about assumptions. If you’ve been along for much of this adventure, you’ve probably read more than your share of articles on assumptions. If the idea of assumptions is unfamiliar to you, I’ve linked to a few of my favorites below. I’m thinking about my assumptions about small group ministry today because…
Read MoreYou’re Invited! My 2019 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network is taking applications now!
My 2019 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network is 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 coaching network experience will expose you to a new perspective. While it makes sense that in order to get different results you…
Read MoreTop 10 Things New Small Group Pastors Need to Know
There are a few things a new small group pastor needs to know when they begin. There may be many things they do not yet know how to do and must learn to do. But there is a short list of things they will need to know from the beginning. The top 10 things a…
Read MoreHow to Solve the 5 Biggest Problems of Small Group Ministry
I’ve said it before, there is no problem-free system, model or strategy. All systems, models and strategies come with a set of problems. Wise leaders simply choose the set of problems they would rather have. There is no problem-free system, model or strategy. All systems, models and strategies come with a set of problems. Wise…
Read MoreFAQ: What’s in a Host Kit?
FAQ: What’s in a Host Kit? I get questions. In fact, I get a LOT of questions. Sometimes they come directly to me via email or a comment here on the blog. Other times they come to me via a Facebook post or some other indirect route. Here’s one I get fairly often, even frequently. I get…
Read MoreSmall Group Ministry Philosophy for the 21st Century
Disclosure: Depending on your own bias or bent, you might read this rant as either heresy, confirmation that I’ve lost it, or maybe something worth sharing with your team. To start with, at some level I believe the missional community strategy and the current discipleship emphasis are both needed and smokescreens at the same time…
Read More5 Small Group Ministry Dots You Might Not Be Connecting
Do you have small group ministry issues you just can’t figure out? Feel like there are just some dots that don’t connect to anything? I think most of the time, they actually do connect. We just miss the connection between the way we’re doing things and the results we’re experiencing. I love this line from…
Read More[Review] Planning Small Groups with Purpose: A Field Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry
I worked my way through, Planning Small Groups with Purpose: A Field Tested Guide to Design and Grow Your Ministry, the newest book from Steve Gladen, over the last couple weeks. I knew it was about to publish and asked for a review copy. Let me just say this: You are going to need a copy.…
Read More[Review] No Silver Bullets: 5 Small Shifts that Will Transform Your Ministry
Spent some time this week with No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that will Transform Your Ministry. The newest book from Daniel Daniel Im, director of Church Multiplication for NewChurches.com and LifeWay Christian Resources, No Silver Bullets is a very engaging read. While No Silver Bullets is not a small group ministry book, it has plenty…
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