Posts by Mark Howell
Top 10 Posts for January 2011
Here are my top 10 posts for January, 2011. Interesting, one of these posts is from 2008! Steve Gladen on Saddleback’s Coaching Strategy Current GroupLife Trends More from Steve Gladen on Saddleback’s Coaching Strategy Eddie Mosley on LifePoint’s Discipleship Pathway How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection Steve Gladen on Saddleback’s Leadership Pathway…
Read MoreCracking Your Church’s Culture Code
Some books get a quick thumb through and are never picked up again. Others get a thorough reading but end up only being the source of a quote or an illustration. And a few books join the elite ranks of regular reference and recommendation. Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code: Seven Keys to Unleashing Vision and…
Read MoreKirby Holmes on Gateway’s “Come As You Are” Culture
In yesterday’s post I began wrestling with a great question from a reader who wanted feedback on establishing a policy that prohibited same sex partners from participating in the same women’s or men’s group (in order to establish a healthy, non-sexual, environment). Keep in mind that the only coed experience their small group structure provides…
Read MoreSexuality and Small Group Membership
Recently I had a great question from a reader who wanted some feedback on establishing a policy on a very sensitive matter. I’ve edited to provide some clarity, but here’s the question: We discovered that we have some unmarried couples (who live together) in couples’ groups and at least one lesbian couple attending a women’s…
Read MoreGreat Example of Story-Driven Visual Media
Few things are a captivating as a well told story. When it’s a true story, it’s even better. If you haven’t seen Granger’s recent contribution to the playlist…you need to take a few minutes and watch Steve’s Story. Nicely done! Steve’s Story from Granger Community on Vimeo. What do you think? Can you see how…
Read MoreEddie Mosley on LifePoint’s Discipleship Pathway
One of the most important current grouplife trends is a more intentional discipleship effort. LifePoint Church is a good example of this trend. A dynamic, growing multi-site church that has a heart for its community, its region of Middle Tennessee, and the world through global initiatives, LifePoint has been very intentional about the development of…
Read MoreMore on Saddleback’s Leadership Pathway
Today we have the continuation of yesterday’s interview with Steve Gladen on Saddleback’s Leadership Pathway. If you’ve ever wondered how Saddleback helps people who simply sign up to host a six-week small group become a full-fledged leader…you’ll find a lot of answers here. If you missed part one of the interview, you can read it…
Read MoreSteve Gladen on Saddleback’s Leadership Pathway
In a recent two-part series Steve Gladen talked about Saddleback’s Small Group Coaching strategy. In that previous series Steve mentioned their Leadership Pathway and I asked him if he’d be willing to provide some insight into the way they help people who have volunteered to simply host a group grow over time into a committed…
Read MoreThis GroupLife Trend Speaks the Language of the Culture
When I list the current grouplife trends, I think one is more important for the Church and its mission in the world than any of the others. This may surprise you, but I think there is one trend more important than the missional group idea, the intentional discipleship strategy, or the integration of spiritual formation…
Read MoreIntegrating Spiritual Formation Practices into GroupLife
One of the most important trends in small group ministry is the way spiritual formation practices are being integrated into small group curriculum. I listed it as one of the top 5 trends right here. It’s popping up in a variety of ways. One of the most prominent ways that spiritual formation is showing up…
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