Posts by Mark Howell
Quotebook: Steve Jobs on Change
I love this line from the 2005 Stanford commencement address delivered by Steve Jobs: “For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer…
Read More6 Understandings that Changed the Game for Me
Have you ever suddenly noticed something and never looked at it the same way again? You know how sometimes you can get so used to the cracked mirror that you stand in front of it and never notice it…every morning? This is the opposite experience. This is that thing that you’ve seen a million times…
Read More10 Principles for Building a Thriving Small Group Ministry
Want to build a thriving small group ministry in your church? It won’t be easy. It will require a commitment to the long haul, major determination, a willingness to commit resources, disappoint the guardians of the status quo, and much, much more. But…if you believe that unconnected people are always one tough thing away from…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This Unique Study: The Power of Your Story
I had the opportunity this week to spend some time with a study from Thomas Nelson that I think you might find pretty interesting. The Power of Your Story is not brand new (it was published in 2012), but is so different and fresh that I think you’ll want to check it out. Developed by Ben…
Read MoreCelebrating 1500: Here Are 15 of My Favorite Posts
Arriving at 1500 posts on a blog calls for a celebration…and a little retrospective. I started blogging back in 2005 and have over 1200 articles on StrategyCentral.org. I wrote my first post here back in January of 2008. I get asked why I do this quite a bit. The simplest answer is that I aspire…
Read MoreCommunity and Congregation Traits Can Help Determine Connection Strategy
Did you know that understanding your community and congregation can help determine the best connection strategy? It’s true! Building a deep understanding of the people in your community, as well as the people in your congregation, really can help you choose the most productive connection strategies. You’ll also be able to figure out why some…
Read MoreJoin My 2015 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network
Looking for an opportunity to grow in your ability to connect beyond usual suspects? I want to invite you to join my 2015 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network; an experience designed to give you the tools and strategies you need in order to build a small group ministry that works in the 21st century. The coaching…
Read More5 Things Every Small Group Pastor Could Do Right Now
Ready to take things up a notch? There are at least 5 things every small group pastor could do right now that would shift their ministry onto a new trajectory. And there really are no exceptions. Every small group pastor (or reasonable facsimile thereof) could do these things. Every small group pastor could… Develop preferred…
Read MoreTop 10 Posts of September, 2014
Miss a day? Here are my top 10 posts for September, 2014. It was a great month! 4,492 unique users. 82 countries. 47 languages. Thanks for coming by! This Is Why We Need Community 8 Habits of a Life-Changing Small Group Leader Skill Training: Top 10 Ways to Find New Group Members New to Small…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This Study: Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry
Had an opportunity this week to preview a new study from Perry Noble. Overwhelmed: Winning the War Against Worry is a six week, DVD-driven study on a topic that is dead center for many, many people. Noble, the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church, “a growing, vibrant church with multiple locations all over the…
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