Posts by Mark Howell
Narrowing the Focus Leads to a Church OF Groups
One of the most important strategic decisions a church can make is to narrow the focus, a concept that is explained very well in the 7 Practices of an Effective Church. Essentially, to narrow the focus is to concentrate on one thing (or a very few things) in an effort to conceive, develop and promote…
Read MoreNew Groups Lead to a Church OF Groups
Sometimes what keeps us from moving forward is something that just feels right (but really isn’t). For example, a commitment to old friends, even when they’re involved in behaviors that are destructive to themselves and others, just seems like the right thing to do. Sticking with friends through thick and thin. Just seems like the…
Read MoreReview: Transformational Church
You’ve probably begun hearing about Transformational Church by Ed Stetzer and Thom S. Rainer. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet…you need to. This is a book that will help you think carefully about what you’re doing in ministry, why you’re doing it, and if it really is making the kind of difference you…
Read MoreHost a Screening of the World Premier of I Am!
From the creators of Liquid comes the new motion picture “I Am.” You’re already a fan of Liquid’s small group curriculum. Take advantage of a free opportunity to be 1 of a 1000 churches that will host the world premier of “I Am,” a new feature film developed using the backstory of The Ten (Liquid’s…
Read MoreNew Church-Wide Campaigns for Fall 2010
I post new information about available church-wide campaigns every year. The latest information is in The Latest on Church-Wide Campaigns (2012). Whether you’re choosing a church-wide campaign that you’ll use right away or you’re already thinking about fall, 2011, there are three new offerings that you need to add to your list of great options. The…
Read MoreA “Plated Meal” Leads to a “Church of Groups”
We’ve all been to a buffet or a cafeteria. Long display cases of entrees, side dishes, salads, breads and desserts. Some buffets are an amazing collection of incredible food. Others are a wide variety of bland, predictable food. Most of us have also been to a banquet or event where there was a plated meal.…
Read MoreDon’t Forget the Most Essential Step This Fall
Ready to pull the trigger? You’ve worked hard on the calendar for the fall. You’ve lined up coaches and ordered curriculum and set up a Small Group Connection or a Church-Wide Campaign. You’ve got the lobby redecorated and ordered the direct mail piece and the signs to promote what you’re about to do. Don’t forget…
Read MoreTop 10 Fantasies of Churches WITH Small Groups
What prevents many churches from realizing their desire to become churches OF small groups*? Most of the time their desire is unable to overcome the fantasyland in which they live. For example, they may really, really want groups to be important, even to be essential, but they simply cannot bear the thought of disappointing the…
Read MoreIntroducing: Dave Treat and thinking small
One of the names you need to add to your grouplife watchlist is Dave Treat. You may have met Dave because of his work at the Willow Creek Association as Director of Innovation for Adult Ministries (a big part of his job was helping to put on the Small Group conference and Advanced Training). If…
Read MoreGot Questions?
With over 400 articles focused on the needs of small group point people (strategy, coaching, leader recruitment and training, etc.), there’s already a lot here at MarkHowellLive.com. You can search my archives using the Google search box. You can also take a look at my categories or even look at what I’ve written during certain…
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