Posts by Mark Howell
Four Countercultural Characteristics of Authentic Community
How do you know when something is authentic? In the case of currency, the way a secret service agent is trained to detect counterfeit money is to spend a lot of time with the real thing. Want to make sure you’re buying an authentic Rolex watch or designer handbag? If the price is too good…
Read More5 Habits I’d Look for If I Was Hiring a Small Group Pastor
I’ve been asked many times for a small group pastor job description, typically by senior pastors and executive pastors trying to identify the skills and duties of the person they need to hire. And that is certainly one way to look at the situation. If I was a senior pastor though, I’d look at it…
Read MoreYou’ll Get Through This: A New Church-Wide Campaign from Max Lucado
Worked my way through You’ll Get Through This, a new church-wide campaign from Max Lucado and Thomas Nelson. You’ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times is a six session church-wide campaign that features pastor and New York Times best-selling author, Max Lucado and is based on his 2013 book by the same title. You’ll Get…
Read MoreMy New Resolution: “Family Night” Is In My Future
In late 2010 I received a copy of Gabe Lyon’s The Next Christians in the mail. It arrived unsolicited. It even had a note from Gabe. Very cool. I read it very quickly. Almost didn’t put it down. I can tell you for sure that it helped raise a growing awareness of the arrival of…
Read MoreSmall Group Ministry Roadblock #4: A Myopic Understanding of the Culture
I’ve been thinking lately about the biggest roadblocks to small group ministry; the things that stand in the way of a truly thriving small group ministry. See also, 10 Powerful Benefits of a Thriving Small Group Ministry. Here are what I believe are the top 5 roadblocks: A doubtful or conflicted senior pastor. A bloated…
Read MoreThe Evidence Is In: Rick Warren and Saddleback Are Committed to Small Groups
I’ve written many times about the need for senior pastors to champion small groups. If you’ve been along for any length of time, you know it’s a frequent rant for me. See also, Your Senior Pastor as Small Group Champion Leads to a Church OF Groups. I really believe the #1 reason that Saddleback has…
Read More5 Keys to Taking New Ground in 2014
Want to take new ground in 2014? Don’t we all? You’re probably not spending a lot of time figuring out how to avoid or slow down the rate of losing ground (although this Dilbert cartoon has a very funny take on the idea). No, if you wake up in the middle of the night it’s probably…
Read MoreDon’t Miss This New Study from Verge: Disciple Making: No Plan B
Had an opportunity this week to spend some time with a new resource from Verge Network. Disciple Making: No Plan B is an 8 session study designed to be used by a missional community. A challenging study, it provides just the right combination of push and pull to move groups out of comfort zones and into…
Read MoreSmall Group Ministry Roadblock #3: Indecision about the Best Next Step
Last week we began a detailed look at what I believe are the top 5 small group ministry roadblocks; the things that stand in the way of a truly thriving small group ministry. We began with a look at roadblock #1: a doubtful or conflicted senior pastor and continued with roadblock #2: a bloated belong and become…
Read MoreTwo Spots Left! Still Time to Join My 2014 Coaching Network
I have TWO spots left in my 2014 Small Group Ministry Coaching Network. It’s not too late…but it will be before you know it. I love blogging about how to connect unconnected people and how to build a thriving small group ministry. I’m always excited when I get to speak at a conference, whether it’s live or on a webcast.…
Read More