Posts by Mark Howell
We Have So Much To Be Thankful For
It has been just over 14 months since Eric, our 19 year-old son, was killed in a motorcycle accident. We’ll never forget the knock on our door just before midnight. As word got out, we were quickly surrounded by friends and family and inundated with calls, texts and emails as our friends from everywhere offered…
Read MoreMy 2015 Christmas Reading List
Every year I create a list of books I think you should read. Sometimes the books I include are very purely about small group ministry, discipleship or spiritual formation. Other times, the books I include may seem pretty far afield (innovation, design, leadership, or strategy). You’ll just have to trust me. I wouldn’t include a book I…
Read More5 Lightbulb Insights that Clarified Small Group Ministry for Me
Have you ever suddenly noticed something so obvious and then wondered how in the world you could have missed it before? Call it what you want, when you see (and understand) certain things for the first time it really is like a 100-watt lightbulb suddenly illuminating the room. And some lightbulb moments—insights—are such game-changers you…
Read MoreHave You Identified the Milestones that Lead to Your Preferred Future?
Do you have a clearly defined preferred future but still struggle to know whether you are moving in the right direction or will ever arrive? If so, it may be that you’ve missed an essential step in the process. What step? Developing milestones that lead to your preferred future (and indicate you are moving in…
Read MoreDilbert on 360-Degree Reviews
Sometimes you just have to laugh. I’m pretty sure Bill Hybels doesn’t think this way. At least he didn’t in the talk I mentioned earlier this week. Here are some of my favorite Dilbert cartoons.
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Charlie Rose – An Hour with Jim Collins
Note: This video is longer than most of my Thinking Thursday recommendations, but it is such a good conversation! Taking the time to watch it. You will be glad that did! In Great By Choice: Uncertainty Chaos and Luck—Why Some Thrive Despite Them All we ask: why do some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos,…
Read MoreQuotebook: The Great Illusion of Leadership
Whatever you want to happen in the lives of the members of your groups must happen first in the lives of your leaders. I love this line from The Wounded Healer: The great illusion of leadership is to think that man can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there.…
Read More360 Leader: 10 Questions for Self-Leadership
If you’ve been along for much of this conversation, you know how frequently I write about the need for small group point people to do to and for the coaches whatever you want them to do to and for your small group leaders. Why? Because “whatever you want to happen in the lives of the…
Read More5 Problems Only an Experienced Small Group Pastor Recognizes
There are certain problems only an experienced small group pastor recognizes. Without the wisdom produced by multiple rodeos, less experienced small group pastors often operate from a wishful thinking kind of optimism born of naïveté. Don’t get me wrong. There are certainly new small group pastors who are quick learners and wiser beyond their years.…
Read MoreRequired Reading: Brimstone: The Art and Act of Holy Nonjudgement
I’ve just finished a book I know you’re going to want to pick up. The latest from Hugh Halter, Brimstone: The Art and Act of Holy Nonjudgement picks up an important thread from his last book (Flesh: Bringing the Incarnation Down to Earth) and offers what turns out to be an essential read if you hope to…
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