Posts by Mark Howell
Introduction: Minimum Viable Product for Effective Small Group Ministry
What is your minimum viable product? Ever thought about your small group ministry that way? In this article I want to do three things: introduce and define the term minimum viable product (for small group ministry), provide a simple explanation for why you need to know your minimum viable product, and give you an assignment…
Read More4 Predictable (and Unforgivable) Reasons for Adding New Members to Existing Groups
Can I ask about an important strategic decision? What makes the most sense to you? Adding new members to existing groups? Or launching new groups? Do you understand the strategic nature of the question? In my experience, this decision is one of a very short list of foundational decisions that determine effectiveness at building a…
Read MoreWould a leader training resource like this help you?
I’m not sure about you, but as a small group pastor I’m always looking for better ways to develop small group leaders. Because I’ve been writing small group leader skill training articles for about a decade, if I want to help my leaders learn a particular skill, I just have to find the right article…
Read More5 Things You Can Do NOW that Produce WAY More Groups in September
5 Things You Can Do NOW that Produce WAY More NEW Groups in September You may not realize this, but the things you do in April and May often predetermine how it goes in September. The things you do in April and May often predetermine how it goes in September. Share on X Special Note: I…
Read More6 Changes You Will Only Make When You Have No Other Choice
“Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” —Tony Robbins You’re aware of this, right? You’d like to lose weight, get healthy, get married, stop drinking, or get out of debt, but changes like that almost never happen until the pain of staying the same is greater…
Read More[Review] The Problem of God
I’ve spent the last couple weeks working my way through a new book from Mark Clark. The Problem of God: Answering a Skeptic’s Challenges to Christianity is Clark’s first book, but will certainly not be his only book. Well-written and engaging, it’s easy to hear his voice all through it. Mark Clark is the Lead Pastor of…
Read MoreProblem Solved: We’re Only Connecting the “Usual Suspects”
Do you have a small group ministry problem? It turns out that there is a relatively simple solution to almost every small group ministry problem. And, the set of problems faced by small group pastors and directors is not extensive. It’s a fairly short list of problems. Note: There is a difference between simple and easy. Simple can be…
Read More5 Things You Must Know about Your Small Group Model
It’s very possible, maybe even probable, that you inherited your small group model or system. That is, the model you’re using is what was being used when you arrived on the scene and you played no role in its selection. It’s also possible that you chose or helped choose the model you’re currently using. Maybe…
Read MoreProblem Solved: I Can’t Find Enough Leaders
Do you have a small group ministry problem? It turns out that there is a relatively simple solution to almost every small group ministry problem. And, the set of problems faced by small group pastors and directors is not extensive. It’s a fairly short list of problems. Note: There is a difference between simple and…
Read MoreWill You Join Me (and hundreds of others) for GroupLife Southwest ’18?
Will You Join Me (and hundreds of others) for GroupLife Southwest ’18? I hope you’re planning to join us for GroupLife Southwest! And I really hope you’ll take advantage of the Super Early Bird Price of $129. But why should you join us at the GroupLife Southwest conference? That is a great question! Here’s why…
Read More