Posts by Mark Howell
35 Mistakes, Blind Spots and Faulty Assumptions That Neutralize Small Group Ministry
I don’t know about you…but when I think back on my over 25 years of small group ministry experience, I can spot a truckload of mistakes, blind spots, and faulty assumptions that neutralized a thriving small group ministry. And I’ve made every one of them. Some of us learn from other people's mistakes and the rest…
Read More7 Decisions That Predetermine Small Group Ministry Impact
There are a few decisions that predetermine whether your small group ministry thrives or struggles. Further, I think an honest diagnosis can actually predict your chances of small group ministry impact. As you read, give some thought to how you’d score your own ministry. 7 questions that predetermine small group ministry impact: 1. Will you…
Read MoreDon’t Miss the New Beth Moore Study: Children of the Day: 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Had an opportunity to preview Beth Moore’s newest study this week. Children of the Day: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, is the latest in a growing line of women’s Bible studies and is going to be a great ride! There are 9 DVD sessions (an introduction and 8 interactive teaching videos, each approximately 1 hour long).…
Read MoreIs It Time for a Fresh Look at Your Assumptions?
I don’t know about you, but I bet you’re not that different than me. I regularly find myself surprised by divergent opinions about things that I assumed everyone would be on board with. Just yesterday in a staff retreat virtually everyone at my table saw an idea from a completely different perspective than my senior…
Read More6 Essential Characteristics of an Effective Small Group Coach
There are differences of opinion about the importance of coaching in the small group community. Some have tried (more than once) to build a coaching structure and decided it just didn’t work in their environment. Others have tried to provide certain aspects of coaching through a “call center” approach (i.e., call this number when you…
Read MoreDoes It Really Matter If the Group Leader* Is a Believer?
File this under things that make you go hmmm. Admittedly, you might be filing it under things that make you think heretic…but I want you to seriously consider this question. I think it’s a valid question. And I think it’s a good one. Does it really matter if the group leader* is a believer? What…
Read More5 Simple Small Group Ministry Moves with Exponential Payoffs
Sometimes we know our ministry is plateaued and we need to make changes in our strategy, but we remain stuck because the changes we make are focused on the wrong variable. It’s something like a restaurant that needs to increase repeat customers but spends all its energy reimagining the color of the carpet and none…
Read MoreTop 10 Posts of April, 2014
Miss a day? Here are my 10 most popular articles of April, 2014. It’s a good mix, I think, with four posts from April and several very popular articles from the archives. How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection (May, 2008) 5 Keys to Getting Everyone to Join a Group (April, 2014) Small…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This Training Video: Your Group Might Be Too Big
Looking for a video to use for leader training? Here’s one that might work as you introduce certain topics: Can’t see the video? You can watch it right here.
Read MoreIs There a “Design Limit” Ceiling on Your Small Group Ministry?
Have you ever stopped to consider that there may be a design limit ceiling on your small group ministry? Are you familiar with the term? Think of a design limit as the maximum or optimum possibility of your system. Four examples of design limits that are ceilings for small group ministries: Example #1: You are…
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