Posts by Mark Howell
Thinking Thursday: The Secret Structure of Great Talks
From the “I have a dream” speech to Steve Jobs’ iPhone launch, all great presentations have a common architecture. In this talk, Nancy Duarte draws lessons on how to make a powerful call-to-action. (Filmed at TEDxEast.) I’ve loved both of Nancy Duarte’s books (resonate and slide:ology) and this is a great talk. Can’t see the…
Read MoreFAQ: Can You Recommend an 8 to 12 Week Study for a Campaign?
I get questions. I get a lot of questions. About all kinds of small group ministry topics. Here’s a good one that I got last week: I notice the trend for small group campaigns is 6 weeks. Can you recommend 2-3 favorite studies of yours that are 8-12 weeks? When I asked why they were…
Read MoreThe Truth about Building a Thriving Small Group Ministry
I talk and write a lot about building a thriving small group ministry. You might say I am preoccupied by it! Some might even say I am obsessed by the idea. See also, 10 Principles for Building a Thriving Small Group Ministry. As part of the community here, I have no doubt that you’re thinking…
Read MoreInsights That Sharpen Small Group Ministry Perspective
Have you noticed that reading more books (and blogs) sometimes increases confusion and indecision about the best way to do small group ministry? Add the input from conferences you attend and experts you listen to and you can end up with a pretty complex soup. What should you do? It’s good to read, right? Leaders…
Read MoreQuotebook: The Choice Between Risk and Comfort
I love this line from John Ortberg’s If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus, you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life. —John…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Derek Sivers: How to start a movement
With help from some surprising footage, Derek Sivers explains how movements really get started. (Hint: it takes two.) Image by TED
Read MoreWhat Baby Step Will You Take Today?
Most changes begin as baby steps. As I write this post I am learning to be a runner. Three (or four) runs a week with two (or three) walks interspersed for recovery. I am averaging 16 running miles a week (with another 8 walking). Most days my run is a combination of run, walk and…
Read MoreQuotebook: What Successful People Do (and Failures Don’t)
Recently I wrote about 7 Skills Every Small Group Pastor Needs. I know of no workaround that will enable a small group pastor to avoid the development of these skills. I’ve met many small group pastors who have tried to get by without them, but the truth is these skills are essential and unavoidable. I’ve been…
Read MoreSkill Training: How Transparent Should I Be as a Group Leader?
Question: How transparent should you be as a small group leader? Should you share your struggles with the group? Or should you seek to be an example to your group? These good questions, don’t you think? They are part of the internal debate that every leader has. In my post, 8 Habits of Life-Changing Small…
Read MoreQuotebook: John Ortberg on Leadership and Disappointment
Love this one from John Ortberg’s Who Is This Man? The Unpredictable Influence of the Inescapable Jesus. Leadership is the art of disappointing people at a rate they can stand. —John Ortberg. Share on X To see the rest of my quotebook, click here. Image by Phil Warren
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