Posts by Mark Howell
7 Signs You Have the Wrong Small Group Ministry System
You know how there are times when something feels off, but you just can’t figure out what it is? Something’s wrong, but you just can’t quite put your finger on it. Like you’re driving along and the car just doesn’t feel right. Or something’s just off kilter in a relationship. Or when your back gets…
Read MoreWho’s coaching you? Anyone?
Who’s coaching you? Anyone? Who’s coaching you? Now before you even think about that, take a moment and think about the following: You realized a long time ago that whatever you want to happen in the lives of small group members has to happen in the lives of their leaders first. It was one of…
Read MoreFriday’s List: October 21
Friday’s List: October 21 I’ve been meaning to do this for quite awhile. I’m asked for recommendations all the time. I’ll be posting a short list every Friday. Here are the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: 5 Emotional Intelligence Hacks that Can Immediately Improve Your…
Read MoreDallas Willard on Trust without Obedience
“The idea that you can trust Christ and not intend to obey him is an illusion…. In fact, you can no more trust Jesus and not intend to obey him than you could trust your doctor or your auto mechanic and not intend to follow their advice. If you do not intend to follow their…
Read MoreYou May Need This Simple Logic about Small Group Coaching
Follow me on this simple logic about small group coaching: 1. Whatever we want to happen in the lives of the members of our small groups has to happen in the lives of our small group leaders first. I believe you know that too, even if this is the very first time you’ve ever thought…
Read MoreTop 10 Reasons My Church Has a Long Way to Go (in small group ministry)
Top 10 Reasons My Church Has a Long Way to Go (in small group ministry) I’ve shared a few top 10 lists with reasons Saddleback, North Point and North Coast have had great success with their small group ministries. I thought it might be time for me to share why my church still has a…
Read MoreHow Do We Help a New Host* Get Off to a Great Start?
“How do you help a host* get off to a great start?” This is easily one of the most frequent questions asked about one of our main strategies for launching new groups at Canyon Ridge (the other strategy being a small group connection). *Important Note: Although some small group models emphasize the roles of leader…
Read MoreCan I help you? It’s actually why I do this!
Can I help you? It’s actually why I do this! I created my first conference in 1996 (or maybe it was ’97). It was a children’s ministry conference (think about that!) I invited Sue Miller to bring some of her Promiseland team to the Houston area. I got ahold of a mailing list of Willow…
Read MoreQuotebook: Going Alone vs Going Together
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. —African Proverb Share on X To see the rest of my quotebook, click here. Image by Georgie Pauwels
Read MoreDo You Have a Personal Huddle?
I have been thinking about this lately. Most of us are playing important roles in our churches. We are working hard, running hard, to connect people and make disciples. We’re working to develop leaders and coaches. And many of us are going it alone or nearly alone. I hope you are finding ways to connect…
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