Posts by Mark Howell
Diagnosing a Small Group Ministry
When you step into the exam room at your doctor’s office, what happens is determined by the reason for your visit. Could be an annual checkup. You may have some symptoms that are troubling. Or you may just feel awful and want to get better. The reason for your visit determines what your doctor does.…
Read MoreThis Is Moving Week!
Hey everybody! Just wanted to keep you posted about what’s coming here at MarkHowellLive.com. I’ve accepted a position at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, IL and will begin my new role there on Sunday, February 21. So…we’re moving this week. As you can imagine…internet access will be a little hit and miss this week. …
Read MoreHow To Develop Leaders
Developing and equipping leaders is one of the key challenges in small group ministry. That is true for all of us, regardless of the system or strategy that you’ve chosen. You may have an occasional leader who arrives fully formed…but for the most part, we all need to be in the development business. There are…
Read MoreLeader Recruitment Nuts and Bolts
Finding enough leaders is a challenge. With the strategies I mentioned in Small Group Leaders: Finding, Recruiting, Developing, you’ll find the leaders you need. What you do with them next is very important. Here are some of the most important nuts and bolts of successful leader recruitment: Determine your leadership requirements in advance. It may…
Read MoreHow To Use Social Media To Resource Your Leaders
How do you get the word out about recommended resources and upcoming events? How do you stay connected with the small group leaders and coaches in your ministry? Where do your small group leaders go to get information about next steps? The answers to these questions say a lot about whether you’re living in the…
Read MoreSmall Group Leaders: Qualifications, Hoops, and Lowering the Bar
One of the most pressing challenges in developing a pervasive groups ministry is finding enough leaders. It may be the #1 challenge (just ahead of finding enough coaches). Let me say two things. First, it is a challenge. Second, your success will be determined by the answer to a few questions. Here they are: Are…
Read MoreSmall Group Leaders: Finding, Recruiting, Developing
One of the most common questions in small group ministry is how do I find enough leaders? Right on it’s heels are two other very common questions: How do I recruit leaders (once I’ve identified them)? How do I develop leaders (once they’ve been recruited)? How Do I Find and Recruit Enough Leaders? This is…
Read MoreResolve To Become An Innovator
Do you have what it takes to be really effective at small group ministry? Like anything else there are a number of ingredients to this kind of effectiveness. I really think you’ve got to be a learner. You can be an introvert but it really helps to be a relational person. After all, it’s important…
Read MoreResolve To Be A Student
What was the last book you read that was a little outside your field? What was the last conference you attended or talk you listened to that was not quite on the topic of choice? Who’d you buy coffee for last that has an expertise that’s different from yours? If you’ve been reading, if you’ve…
Read MoreThe Summit: A Convergence of Small Group Experts
If you haven’t heard about The Summit: A Convergence of Small Group Experts, now is the time to jump in and register. This FREE 90 minute online event features many of the most recognized small group names including Lyman Coleman, Bill Donahue, Steve Gladen, and Carl George. Thursday, February 18, 2010, 10:30 a.m. to Noon…
Read More