Posts by Mark Howell
How to Use Zoom as a Virtual Guest Central (first step out of the virtual auditorium)
In the last four weeks we’ve worked hard to develop the best way to connect unconnected people to new online groups. Although our connection strategy is far from refined, we’ve made some discoveries and have the beginnings of a very good end-to-end solution. Before our online services were the only way our congregation and crowd…
Read MoreMiss the Live Demonstration of an Online Small Group Connection?
In yesterday’s post I explained how we are using Zoom to connect unconnected people (while we are limited by COVID-19 to online services and online groups). Yesterday I also held a live demonstration of how we’re using several of the features of Zoom (registration, join from anywhere, breakout rooms, etc.). If you missed it, you…
Read More7 Things to Keep in Mind When Hosting an Online Connection
When hosting an online small group connection there are a few things to keep in mind. Note: Click here to register for TODAY’S live demonstration of an online connection. 1. Careful Stewardship of Participants’ Time Will Pay Off When we hold a Small Group Connection on-campus (or some other physical location) at Canyon Ridge, we…
Read More3 Things COVID-19 Is Teaching Me about Small Group Ministry
What are you learning during this age of COVID-19? Here are a three of the things I’m learning about small group ministry: 1. The importance of a healthy span of care has never been more important. If you want to build a thriving small group ministry, you must develop and maintain a healthy span of…
Read MoreReport: Zoom Meeting with Breakout Rooms Enabled Works Well for an Online Connection
If you’ve been following along you know I’ve been writing about the opportunity to help existing groups meet online. I’ve also been writing about the need to offer unconnected people to connect online. In fact, I published an invitation last week for you to join me for a live demonstration of how to use a…
Read More5 Ways COVID-19 Encourages Small Group Ministry to Innovate
There is an upside and a downside to everything. Sometimes you have to look closely at something to see the upside. And full disclosure, sometimes you don’t see the downside until it happens. As I look at COVID-19 I’m noticing several upsides. 1. There will be a renewed emphasis on developing and discipling leaders. The…
Read MoreAn Open Letter to Small Group Leaders Everywhere
Dear small group leader, I hope this letter finds you well (and that may have never been a more important hope than today). I also hope this letter finds you ready to play the part God designed you to play. He designed you to have a particular shape and wiring. And like a fingerprint, your…
Read MoreSocial Distancing + Need to Belong = Opportunity
Note: Be sure and check out the time-sensitive opportunity below. How are you handling the effects of the coronavirus personally? I don’t mean the virus itself. I mean the interpersonal effects of the virus. The speed at which things are changing has been a shock to western culture. No doubt it has had a similar…
Read MoreJoin Me for a Behind-the-Scenes Look at an Online Small Group Connection
These are some interesting times…aren’t they? Some things that have worked forever…might never work again. Some things that have been best practices just won’t work right now. Some things that were just crazy talk 30 days ago have to be considered right now. Know what I mean? Although we have a lot of people in…
Read MoreWill You Take Advantage of RE:GROUP 2020?
Will you take advantage of RE:GROUP 2020? RE:GROUP is North Point Ministries small group ministry conference and in my opinion has been the BEST small group ministry conference every time it’s been offered. And this year it’s being offered ONLINE! That’s right. For the first time the RE:GROUP small group ministry conference is happening online.…
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