Posts by Mark Howell
Thinking Thursday: How to Manage for Collective Creativity
What’s the secret to unlocking the creativity hidden inside your daily work, and giving every great idea a chance? Harvard professor Linda Hill, co-author of “Collective Genius,” has studied some of the world’s most creative companies to come up with a set of tools and tactics to keep great ideas flowing — from everyone in…
Read MoreQuotebook: Tim Keller on Community
I love this line from Tim Keller’s The Prodigal God: “You can’t live the Christian life without a band of Christian friends, without a family of believers in which you find a place.” Keller’s line is found as summary of a quote from C.S. Lewis on the importance of community in knowing each other. You…
Read MoreWatch Saddleback’s Most Recent HOST Rally
Saddleback’s most recent HOST rally happened on March 13th (yes that was a Friday night!). It was a packed auditorium. Great worship. Lots of fun. And a very inspiring message from Rick Warren. There were some cool innovations that will transfer to your church. They ran a contest and gave hosts a chance to have…
Read More5 Faulty Assumptions about Small Group Ministry Impact
You know how kids sometimes believe that if they close their eyes, you can’t see them? That’s an assumption they eventually grow out of. Do you have an assumption or two about small group ministry impact that you need to grow out of? I was imagining the Family Feud set-up when I wrote this. See…
Read MoreWhat Love Is: The Letters of 1, 2, 3 John
Finally had an opportunity this week to spend some time with a new study from Kelly Minter. What Love Is: The Letters of 1, 2, 3 John is “a theologically rich study–that also includes recipes for deeper fellowship.” This line from the cover caught my eye as I began my review: “John anchors us with truth in a…
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Tales of Creativity and Play
Designer Tim Brown talks about the powerful relationship between creative thinking and play — with many examples you can try at home (and one that maybe you shouldn’t). Take a few minutes today to watch this short TED video and see if it might have an impact on your work environment.
Read More5 Implications for Small Group Ministries As Powerful Trends Emerge
Think about two powerful rivers merging to form one seemingly unstoppable force and you have a good image for the confluence of two accelerating trendlines. Call river #1 the rise of the nones (those who claim no religious affiliation) and call river #2, the decreasing frequency church attendance among churched Americans. See also, How Will…
Read MoreHow Will This Trend Affect Small Group Ministries?
One of the most important trends that surfaced in 2014 was what’s been called “the rise of the nones.” In a continuation of the trendline, one of the most significant trends in 2015 is that churched Americans are attending less frequently. Let me say that again. The research shows that churched Americans are attending less…
Read More5 Signs You Are Too Close to See Your Ministry Problems Clearly
Do you know the signs that you are too close to the problem to know that you have a problem? I’m betting we all know this experience in life, right? “Do these jeans make me look fat?” “Tell me the truth…would a faux hawk look okay on me?” “My presentation was good, wasn’t it?” With…
Read MoreStarting Point: A Conversation about Faith
I spent some time this week with a resource I think you should know about and if you already know about it, maybe rethink how it might be used. Starting Point: A Conversation about Faith is not a new resource, although this is a revised version. And I have to be honest. I had heard about…
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