Posts by Mark Howell
Skill Training: Sub-Grouping for Deeper Connection and Wider Disciple-Making
“My group members don’t want to sub-group!” “We’d really rather stay together.” “We don’t want to miss out on what anyone says.” If you’ve heard any of these lines (or said them yourselves), you’re normal. If you’ve given into the temptation to stay in a circle of 12 (or anything larger than 3 or 4)…
Read MoreSkill Training: The Easiest Way to Help Your Members Pray Out Loud
We have all been there. You come to the end of the meeting. You ask, “How can we pray for you this week?” Most of your group members share a prayer request. You say, “Let’s pray.” And no one else prays. At least, no one else prays out loud. What can you do? How can…
Read More6 Decisions That Limit Ministry Growth
You know that “your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing (Andy Stanley).” You know the well-worn path never arrives at a new destination. You even know Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.” You know all these things. And at…
Read More5 Things to Do in January (that lead to more groups in 2022)
5 Things to Do in January (that lead to more groups in 2022) Want to connect more people in 2022? There are a few things you can do now to exponentially increase the number you connect. Here are 5 things to do: 1. Plan a connecting event in late January or early February. If you…
Read MoreMerry Christmas from the Howells
WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST. MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS CHRISTMAS AND ALWAYS. Mark and Debbie Howell
Read MoreLead Indicators vs Lead Measures (and the Surprising Super Powers Available When You Know What to Look for)
I have written a lot about ideas, practices and tools you might think aren’t really about ministry (and in particular, small group ministry). Things like customers, the preferred future, milestones, lead measures, lead indicators, scorecards and job descriptions. The title for this post is important. “Lead Indicators vs Lead Measures (and the Surprising Super Powers…
Read MoreFour Essential Qualities of an Effective Small Group Pastor
Do you have a job description for a small group pastor? What should we be looking for in a small group pastor? Can you help us find the right small group pastor? These are just a few of the questions I get asked on a regular basis. Want to know what I tell them? The…
Read MoreReimagine and Launch a Powerful Church-Wide Campaign in 2022
There are several reasons that I continue to write about church-wide campaigns*. First, the church-wide campaign strategy continues to be the best way to launch the largest number of new groups and connect the largest number of unconnected people. Second, spiritual growth happens best when a combination of experiences are all working on the same…
Read MoreTop 10 Rules to Connect More People in 2022
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 More5 December Keys to Your Best January Small Group Ministry Kickoff Ever
You may already be on top of it…but just to be sure, here are five steps you can take today to make sure January is extra effective in 2022. Set the date for a Small Group Connection. (If you don’t know about the Small Group Connection strategy, click here to find out all about it).…
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