Posts by Mark Howell
The 90s Called…They Want Their Small Group System Back
First, you might be wondering, what would be some distinctives of a 90s-style small group ministry? Here are what I think of as typical 90s-style small group ministry elements: 1. Before you could lead a small group, you needed to be an apprentice small group leader (and before you could be an apprentice small group…
Read MoreFriday’s List | March 31
Every Friday I post a short list of the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: 7 Signs What’s Driving You Is Beginning To Destroy You by Carey Nieuwhof. I needed this. You might too. Your Congregation May Experience “Request Fatigue.” by Dan Reiland. Very thought-provoking. Does Your Church Website…
Read MoreSimon Sinek on Goals
“The goal is not to be perfect by the end, the goal is to be better today.” Simon Sinek This is a great way to think about your preferred future and the milestones along the way. Keeping one eye on the preferred future and the other on the next milestone propels you in the right…
Read MoreThe Truth at the Very Center of What I Do
The Truth at the Very Center of What I Do I’ve been preparing for this week for months. Monday and Tuesday small group pastors and teams showed up from around the country for GroupLife Southwest ’17. Today and tomorrow the members of my 2017 coaching network are here for 8 hours of intensive work on…
Read MoreWhat Are You Expecting?
“For God wishes to be seen, and He wishes to be sought, and He wishes to be expected, and He wishes to be trusted.” –Julian of Norwich. I heard a many great lines today at GroupLife Southwest ’17. Mindy Caliguire used this quote from Julian of Norwich (a 14th century Christian mystic and theologian) to…
Read MoreWant to Peek into GroupLife Southwest ’17?
Want to Peek into GroupLife Southwest ’17? GroupLife Southwest ’17 begins this morning! Can’t wait to hear what our speakers have in store. I wish we were able to stream the conference, but we can’t (at least this year). But…I plan to livestream on Facebook moments throughout the next two days. If you’ve liked and/or…
Read MoreFriday’s List | March 24
Every Friday I post a short list of the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: When Large Churches Get Stuck: Reducing the Span of Care by Tony Morgan. Several great insights that will help you think about growing your church and what might be keeping you stuck. Does…
Read MoreDilbert on Reasons vs Excuses
Sometimes…you just need to laugh. And sometimes, we can see past the laugh to see ourselves. You can have more laughs right here.
Read MorePeter Thiel on Best Practices and Dead Ends
“Today’s Best Practices lead down dead ends; the best paths are new and untried” Peter Thiel, Zero to One Sometimes we are on a hunt for best practices. The truth is, a best practice can take you quickly to the best way a particular thing can be done. Thiel’s point is that there are times…
Read MoreEaster 2017 Comes Once. Take Advantage of It!
I should make a list of the things that make me angry. At least the ministry things that make me angry. So far, I haven’t turned over a table or anything. But there are definitely things that make me mad. One of them is when leaders decide to wait until next year. That is a…
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