Posts by Mark Howell
An Analysis of the Semester System
There are no problem-free small group systems, models or strategies. And there is an upside and a downside to everything. Because of the popularity of both the sermon-based system and the free market system (two fairly common small group ministry systems) the semester system certainly has its advocates. Because of the inherent challenges of the…
Read More7 Signs Your Small Group Ministry Has a Bad Design
If it’s true that “your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing (Andy Stanley),” the corollary is that if you don’t like the results you are currently experiencing, you need to acknowledge that you have a bad design and change it. After all, the definition of insanity is “doing the same…
Read MoreReview: The Forgotten Jesus: How Western Christians Should Follow an Eastern Rabbi
Spent some time this week with a new DVD-driven study from Robby Gallaty and LifeWay.com. The Forgotten Jesus: How Western Christians Should Follow an Eastern Rabbi is a 6 session, DVD-driven study that offers western Christians fresh insights into the life and ministry Jesus, an eastern rabbi. You may recognize the author’s name. I’ve reviewed several…
Read MoreDoes your small group ministry system need to be refreshed? Or replaced?
I’m regularly having this conversation now. Sometimes a small group pastor, but often a senior pastor, will ask for help and this will be their comment: We don’t know what to do! Our small group ministry needs a lot of help! We don’t know if it can be salvaged! Ever said something like that? Thought…
Read MoreHow are you doing…really?
How are you doing…really? My senior pastor is one of those people that asks how you’re doing and really wants to know. “How are you doing…really?” Anyone ask how you’re doing like that? How about asking how your ministry is doing…really? How’s your ministry doing…really? How would you answer that…today? “It’s really doing great!” “It’s…
Read More10 Rules to Connect More People in 2018
You know how there are rules or laws that are always true in life? Newton’s laws, Moore’s law, the Pareto Principle, and Occam’s Razor? How about Murphy’s Law? You probably know some and always obey them or follow them because they are true (at least most of the time) I want to suggest a set of…
Read MoreHow deeply do you believe what you believe (about connecting people and making disciples)?
How deeply do you believe what you believe (about connecting people and making disciples)? Have you ever really thought through what you believe about small group ministry? How it works? Why you do what you do? Ever found yourself waffling between on strategic initiative or another and really lack clarity about what makes the most…
Read More5 Things To Do in January (that lead to more groups in 2018)
5 Things to Do in January to Connect More People in 2018 Want to connect more people in 2018? There are a few things you can do now to exponentially increase the number you connect. Here are 5 things to do: Plan a connecting event in February. If you run the event on February 18th…
Read MoreAre You Stuck as a Result of Asking the Wrong Questions?
I’ve always found that the right question makes a big difference. The right question often leads to a trajectory shift. The right question often leads to a new and better point-of-view (and a better “point-of-view is worth 80 IQ points”). Are you asking the right questions about your small group ministry strategy? Or are…
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions about Small Group Ministry 101: SGM101
Here are the most frequently asked questions (and the answers!) about SMALL GROUP MINISTRY 101 (SGM101) I’ve been leading our small group ministry for a couple years. Will Small Group Ministry 101 still help me? Almost certainly! If you got your start without a solid foundation, you could easily be trying to build something that can’t be…
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