Posts by Mark Howell
What Are You Doing to Renew and Recharge?
What are you doing to renew and recharge yourself? I’ve found that I’m a lot like a phone I used to have. It worked fine as long as I charged it every night and kept a power cord with me at all times. It just wouldn’t hold a charge! Every year I renew and refresh…
Read More5 Things That Used to Work in Small Group Ministry
A while ago Craig Groeschel talked about the death of the five year plan: “When I started in ministry two decades ago, everyone I knew was making five-year plans. While thoughtful planning is wise and biblical, I’ve changed how I plan. Instead of planning for specific buildings, campuses, staff roles, and outreach, I plan to…
Read MoreA Man and His Fatherhood Is a Must-Add to Your Recommended List
Just previewed a study you are going to want to know about. A Man and His Fatherhood is the final installment in a line of six men’s studies called 33 The Series, inspired by the Men’s Fraternity material created by Robert Lewis (I reviewed part 1 of the series right here). Important Note: Right up front, I want…
Read MoreQuotebook: John Ortberg on Wise People
“Wise people build their lives around what is eternal and squeeze in what is temporary. Not the other way around.” John Ortberg, When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box Image by Ryan Seyeau
Read More5 Keys to Arriving at Your Preferred Future
I have written many times about the preferred future (for small group ministries or otherwise). The first time I remember hearing the term was at a Fuller Church Growth workshop in 1992. In a session on vision I heard that Tom Peters described vision as a “picture of a preferred future.” I believe the preferred…
Read MoreIf You Want to Get There You Must Change Paths
One of my most frequent conversations with consulting or coaching clients goes like this: Them: “We’d like to try a scaled back version of the small group connection strategy.” Me: “Tell me what you mean by scaled back?” Them: “We can’t devote three weekends to promoting just the connection. Actually, the weekend prior is all…
Read MoreDilbert on Excuses
Sometimes you just need a laugh. You can see the rest of my Dilbert selections right here.
Read MoreBill Hybels – Coffee with God
One of my convictions is that whatever you want to happen in the lives of the members of your groups, must happen first in the lives of your leaders. Isn’t this a no-brainer? And as a result, this conviction informs the work you do “training” your small group coaches and leaders. If you want the…
Read MoreDallas Willard on Spiritual Formation
“Spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.” Dallas Willard, Living a Transformed Life Adequate to Our Calling Spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process…
Read MoreHow to Build Volunteer Teams that Expand Your Ministry
In yesterday’s post I gave 7 tips that will help optimize your small group ministry. Tip #3 was to Make identifying and recruiting a volunteer team of men and women who are passionate about small groups part of what you do all the time. I went on to write that “some of the most enthusiastic potential volunteers…
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