Posts by Mark Howell
Video That Recruits HOSTS: Take 2
If you’ve been with me for any length of time you know that one of my core assumptions is that newer people to the church (provided they didn’t move from out of the area) have more connections with unchurched people. Or, in a Saddleback sense, people new to the Congregation, just in from the Crowd,…
Read MoreWhat Small Group Curriculum Are You Using?
I have some favorites! You probably do too! Take a minute today and take my short survey so we’re not missing anything we ought to be using! Click Here to take survey
Read MoreGod’s Heart For Unconnected People – Part Two
I’ve written previously about the process of recruiting hosts and how it fits into the crowd-to-core strategy of neighborhood groups. I’ve given you the basics of a great sermon on the topic from Matthew 9:35-38. Another really good passage is found in 2 Kings 6:24-7:9. Are you familiar with that story? You may have heard…
Read MoreDoes Your Website Match Your Vision and Strategy?
Have you ever examined your website to see how closely it matches your church’s vision? Did you know that the design of your website is often a better indicator of your church’s below-the-water-line vision and strategy than the handout at the membership class? Take a look at Saddleback’s homepage. Click here to open it up…
Read MoreBetter Connecting Through Technology
Are you making it as easy as you can for unconnected people to connect with a group? Have you removed every unnecessary obstacle? Are you taking advantage of advances in plug and play matchmaking? Or are you spending valuable time and energy on things that could be automated…while opportunities that only you can do are…
Read MoreMatchmaking: Making It Easy to Find a Group
How do you help unconnected people find a group? Are you a matchmaker? Do you provide an individualized, custom designed fitting for each person looking? Or are you more of a self-serve, off-the-rack location? The way you help unconnected people find a group combined with the number of groups you have and the number of…
Read MorePreparing for Church-Wide Campaigns
Getting ready for fall? If you want to have a really effective church-wide campaign, you need to begin early. Churches that understand how to do this begin a minimum of 4 to 6 months in advance. There are just too many details to get right, and the stakes are too high, to wait until the…
Read MoreThe Tangible Kingdom Primer
Some time back I wrote about The Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay, an engaging and challenging book about creating incarnational community. I love it. If you haven’t picked up your copy yet, you can order it right here. Couple weeks ago I received a copy of the new Tangible Kingdom Primer, designed…
Read MorePlanning an Alignment (Church-Wide Study)
It’s that time of year. The very detailed people on your team are already thinking about September and October. The play-it-by-ear crowd hasn’t even thought about Memorial Day (FYI, it’s early in the month this year!). Where are you on the continuum? Here’s the thing. Wherever you are on the continuum, September 13th is coming…
Read MoreHow To Recruit HOSTS
What’s the best way to recruit HOSTS for your upcoming alignment (church-wide study)? You might say it depends on what you’re hoping will happen. Bottom line, the way you recruit HOSTS will determine who you are able to recruit and who you recruit will absolutely determine who ends up doing the study. How’s it worked…
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