Posts by Mark Howell
Thinking Thursday: How Far Can Curiosity Take You?
James Cameron’s big-budget (and even bigger-grossing) films create unreal worlds all their own. In this personal talk, he reveals his childhood fascination with the fantastic — from reading science fiction to deep-sea diving — and how it ultimately drove the success of his blockbuster hits “Aliens,” “The Terminator,” “Titanic” and “Avatar.” Can’t see the video?…
Read MoreQuotebook: Receiving Feedback and Effective Discipleship
You may have never thought of discipleship quite this way, but effective discipleship really has to do with the disciple’s ability to receive feedback. This important idea switched on for me at the Global Leadership Summit listening to Sheila Heen talk about feedback (you can read my key takeaways from her talk right here). As…
Read MoreHow Do You Measure Up to the 5 Intangibles of Leadership?
In the days and weeks following the Global Leadership Summit it’s pretty common for me to work my way back through my notes and begin reading the books I bought. This morning I spent some time thinking about Bill Hybels’ talk. He set up his talk by pointing out that “we define leadership as moving…
Read More5 Simple Mistakes That Sink Small Group Ministries
Figuring out why small group ministries fail is not complicated. There is a short list of simple mistakes that sink small group ministries. 5 Simple Mistakes that Sink Small Group Ministries 1. Allowing the senior pastor to delegate the role of small group champion It may seem logical to delegate the role of small group…
Read MoreGreat New Study for Women: Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story
Had an opportunity to preview a new study from Angie Smith. Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story is a 7 session Bible study for women that “shows how the whole Bible–from Genesis through Revelation–connects as one beautiful seamless thread.” Angie Smith is the best-selling author of Mended, I Will Carry You and What…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: What All Great Design Companies Know
We can learn a lot by listening to design experts talk about the care behind the design process at companies like Apple and BMW. In this 99U talk, designer Robert Brunner deconstructs his creative process revealing the stories behind products like Beats by Dre headphones and the Polaroid Cube. Can’t see the video? You can…
Read MoreGrowth or Control? Which Do You Really Want?
I often get a good conversation going when I write about the small group connection strategy or the HOST strategy (two small group strategies that seem to include high risk). Comments always include things like, “How do you know the people who are hosting a group aren’t ax murderers and adulterers?” Or, “How can you…
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions about Small Group Connections
I get asked a lot of questions about the ins and outs of small group connections. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions: How many unconnected people do you need in order to hold a successful small group connection? I have successfully connected people with as few as 20 to 30 and as many…
Read MoreHow Can I Find More Leaders!?
Small group pastors fall into one of three categories. Most of us can always use more small group leaders. Many of us are actively looking for more leaders. And some of us are desperately looking for more. If finding new small group leaders is like looking for a needle in a haystack, you’ll want to take…
Read MoreDon’t Miss Pete Wilson’s New Study: “What Keeps You Up At Night?”
I spent some time with a great new study today. One you are definitely going to want to know about and add to your recommended list. What Keeps You Up At Night: How to Find Peace While Chasing Your Dreams is the latest study from Pete Wilson, founding and senior pastor of Cross Point Church…
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