Posts by Mark Howell
Thinking Thursday: On Design’s Next Great Frontiers
Every Thursday I am posting a video that I think you need to watch. Most of my previous suggestions have been from TED. This video is from the Kellogg School of Management and features Paul Bennett, Chief Creative Officer of IDEO. This video is a little more than an hour long. Bennett has some fascinating insights…
Read MoreIs It As Simple As This?
If you’ve been along for very much of this conversation, you know that I am a fan of simple and often self-evident wisdom. I believe Andy Stanley was right. Your ministry really is “perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing.” I have no doubt that there actually aren’t any problem-free solutions, strategies…
Read MoreHow to Make Disciples in Small Groups
I don’t know about you, but I’m determined to build a thriving small group ministry that makes disciples. That is the light at the end of the tunnel for me. It is the end in mind. It’s not just to connect unconnected people. That’s important, but only a beginning. My objective is to make disciples.…
Read More3 Post-Easter Strategies that Ought to Be on Your Radar
As you know, there are certain windows every year when it is easier to launch new small groups. You may not have thought about it, but it is important to know that these windows are not the same. Each of these windows is unique. Each window appeals to a different demographic slice. A different underlying…
Read MoreDilbert on Developing Insight
Sometimes we just need to laugh. And then again, sometimes it hurts to laugh.
Read MoreThinking Thursday: Why Great Leaders Make You Feel Safe
As you watch this video from Simon Sinek (best known for his book Start with Why), listen for clues about the aspects that ought to be built in to what is modeled for small group leaders. Can’t see the video? You can click here to watch it.
Read More5 Things to Remember When Planning Connecting Events
There are certain things you must keep in mind as you’re planning events or strategies to connect unconnected people. 1. Unconnected people care about what they care about. In other words, what already connected people care about or are curious about doesn’t matter. When you are choosing a topic or a small group study, the…
Read MoreTake Advantage of an Early Easter to Launch Small Groups
I’ve been thinking about the rhythms of connecting people and wanted to share an idea that you might want to consider. With Easter, 2015 just about as early as it can possibly be (April 5th), there is still plenty of spring left before summer and it makes a lot of sense to launch another wave…
Read More5 Studies that Will Connect People after Easter
Early Easters present a third very good connecting opportunity. In 2015 Easter is almost as early as it can be (April 5th) and leaves almost two months before summer. See also, 5 Keys to Launching Groups Year Round. If you want to connect unconnected people, you must select topics that will actually appeal to unconnected people.…
Read MoreThe New Rules for Love, Sex and Dating: A Great New Study from Andy Stanley
Spent some time with a new DVD-driven study from Andy Stanley this week. The New Rules for Love, Sex & Dating is a four session study that you’re going to want to know about. In this study Stanley explores “the challenges, assumptions and land mines associated with dating in the twenty-first century. Best of all,…
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