Posts by Mark Howell
Thinking Thursday: Tony Robbins: Why we do what we do
Tony Robbins discusses the “invisible forces” that motivate everyone’s actions — and high-fives Al Gore in the front row. Every week I choose a video that I think you need to see and believe will inspire some new thinking. You can find the rest of the collection right here. Can’t see the video? You can watch…
Read MoreDon’t Miss “I Will”: Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian
A few weeks ago I received an email asking if I’d like to review a new book by Thom Rainer, the co-author of Simple Church (with Eric Geiger) and Transformational Church (with Ed Stetzer), two books I highly recommend. The new book was called I Will: Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian. Can I let you in on a secret? When…
Read MoreWarning: Without This Essential Skill You Can’t Build a Thriving Small Group Ministry
I believe there is an essential skill that is missing in almost every case where building a thriving small group ministry proves difficult. What is it? I believe it is the ability to speak the truth in love. In his letter to the church at Ephesus the Apostle Paul wrote, “We will speak the truth…
Read MoreTop 5 Reasons Small Group Leaders Quit
There are a number of reasons that small group leaders quit. While some quit for good reasons, most quit for reasons that are completely avoidable. Here are what I believe are the top 5 reasons small group leaders quit: 1. They aren’t being developed and discipled by a coach. This is probably the most common…
Read MoreAdd David Platt’s Counter Culture to Your Recommended List
I finally had an opportunity this week to take a look at Counter Culture, the newest study from David Platt. A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture is designed to expose participants to the truths of the gospel that should “compel us to a contrite, compassionate, and courageous personal response to social issues in the culture.” Based…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Mark Ronson: How sampling transformed music
Sampling isn’t about “hijacking nostalgia wholesale,” says Mark Ronson. It’s about inserting yourself into the narrative of a song while also pushing that story forward. In this mind-blowingly original talk, watch the DJ scramble 15 TED Talks into an audio-visual omelette, and trace the evolution of “La Di Da Di,” Doug E. Fresh and Slick…
Read MoreHere’s How I Lead a Small Group Connection
I’m often asked for specifics about how I lead a small group connection. See also, How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection. Here are two general assumptions: The best laid plans will sometimes need to be set aside. The connection process is something like a quarterback standing at the line of scrimmage, ready…
Read MoreQuotebook: The Personal Nature of Disciple Making
One of the books that influenced my early ministry direction was The Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Eims. The notion that disciple making is carried on by people and not by programs shaped my conviction that whatever we want to happen in the lives of the members of our groups must happen first…
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know about Small Group Models
There are many things you need to know about small group models, systems and strategies. Too many to include in a single article! Here are three very important things to know (and links to other key posts on this topic): First, every small group model, system or strategy comes with a unique set of advantages…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This Powerful Study: Finding Your Way Back to God
Earlier this year I reviewed a powerful new book by Dave and Jon Ferguson. In my review I noted that “Finding Your Way Back to God: Five Awakenings to Your New Life has tremendous outreach potential and if you’ve not had a chance to spend some time with this book, you need to make time! This book…
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