Posts by Mark Howell
What Do You Need To Fix?
I have a friend who recently announced that it was time for changes in their small group ministry. They went on to say, everything except the semester system and free market model are “up in the air.” Continuing, “I think it’s healthy to re-examine everything you do regularly, but it didn’t take us long to acknowledge…
Read MoreFree Market
The Free Market small group model, popularized by New Life Church and based on Dog Training, Fly Fishing, and Sharing Christ in the 21st Century by Ted Haggard, is a term used to describe a system of groups that are based on common interests. In fact, the subtitle of Haggard’s book is, “Empowering Your Church…
Read MoreSacred Roads – Coming in October, 2009
Looking forward to checking out Sacred Roads by Heather Zempel. Definitely one of the most creative minds in small group land. This ought to be good. Sacred Roads from threadsmedia on Vimeo.
Read MoreOpen Source Group Material at Lifechurch.tv
Have you taken a look at the Open Source materials at LifeChurch.tv? One of the most exciting and innovative churches in the world has also made a commitment to providing open access to a lot of the media and materials they develop. In addition to their open source small group curriculum, you can also find…
Read MoreBetter Group Life Through Technology
What technologies are you using in your small group ministry? Website page? Blog? Facebook? Twitter? Data management system (like Churchteams or GroupsInteractive)? Or are you doing the things according the the KJV? You know…the old fashioned way. Printed catalogs? Phone trees? Sign up forms? The times are achangin’ you know. Today your leaders can…
Read MoreAre You Using the Application as Intended?
After the last 72 hours of dealing with implementation issues in our new small group finder application…I feel compelled to refer to this video:
Read MoreWho Makes the Best Coach?
In our ongoing look at the top 10 axiomatic beliefs of group life, one area that ought to draw our attention is coaching. It is logical that a coach would be helpful…even required. But who makes the best coaches? It is so common for churches to make that assignment to their elders or deacons. But…
Read MoreThe Ingredients of a Deep Connection
What produces a genuinely deep connection? Is it just time spent with someone? Or are there other essential ingredients? When I listed what I called the top 10 axiomatic beliefs of group life, I included the belief that “the longer a group is together the more deeply connected the members become.” I’ve heard this argued…
Read MoreVideo That Recruits Hosts
I’ve written about how to use a video testimony to recruit hosts for church-wide campaigns here and here. Here’s an example of one that worked very well. A few things to note. First, these were people who had hosted previously. Second, this is a great story. To have one of their members tell their side…
Read MoreEssential Ingredients for Life-Change
You’re reading this…so you already know that the optimum environment for life-change is a small group. Right? After all, that is one of the key axiomatic beliefs of small group ministry enthusiasts everywhere. The question is, “Is it true that a group is the optimum environment for life-change?” Or are there some factors that must…
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