Posts by Mark Howell
Top 10 Articles on Identifying and Recruiting New Group Leaders
I’ve been doing this awhile. I was thinking about this not too long ago and realized that my first try at building a small group system was in 1984. I don’t know what you were doing in 1984, but that was the year Apple ran the 1984 commercial during Super Bowl XVIII. Ronald Reagan was…
Read MoreFriday’s List | November 18
Friday’s List: November 18 I’ve been meaning to do this for quite awhile. I’m asked for recommendations all the time. I’ll be posting a short list every Friday. Here are the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: 7 Ways a Pastor Should Think Like an Entrepreneur…
Read MoreThe Most Important Book I’ve Read This Year: The 4 Disciplines of Execution
I’ve been working my way through The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Chris McChesney over the last few weeks. Can I tell you something? This book, the ideas and practices in this book, truly have game-changing qualities. You need to drop what you’re doing and order it right now. I really think,…
Read More5 November Actions that Impact January/February
Let’s make this short and sweet. There are certain things I do in November that have a definite impact on January and February results. 5 November Actions that Impact January and February 1. Check our teaching calendar for alignment opportunities. This is a high priority in November. Our teaching team has determined the weekend message…
Read More5 Reasons to Launch New Groups in January/February
If you want to build a thriving small group ministry it’s important to remember that you need to have a year-round approach to launching new groups. While the fall definitely presents the very best opportunity to connect the largest number of unconnected people, there are absolutely several other very good times every year to launch…
Read MoreFriday’s List | November 11
Friday’s List: November 11 I’ve been meaning to do this for quite awhile. I’m asked for recommendations all the time. I’ll be posting a short list every Friday. Here are the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: Panic at the Church: Dealing with Less Frequent Attendance…
Read MoreSimon Sinek on Innovation
“Pure pragmatism cannot imagine a bold future. Pure idealism cannot get anything done. It is the delicate blend of both that drives innovation.” Simon Sinek You can read more from my Quotebook right here. Image by PopTech
Read MoreHow to Take the Pulse of Your Small Group Ministry
If you want to build a thriving small group ministry you need to slow down long enough to periodically take its pulse. Yes, you need to keep one eye on the preferred future and the other eye on the next milestone, but taking an accurate pulse of your small group ministry provides an important gritty…
Read MoreFAQ: What Should We Be Measuring (to build a thriving small group ministry)?
I’m asked all the time “what we should be measuring in our small group ministries?” Actually, more often than not, when I’m talking with small group pastors they tell me what they’re measuring and then ask me what I think. Can I let you in on a little secret? They’re often measuring the wrong things.…
Read MoreAre You Working on the Right Things (to build a thriving small group ministry)?
A short and simple question: Are you working on the right things (to build a thriving small group ministry)? I’ve been reading a great book. 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Chris McChesney. A fantastic book. I highly recommend it. The thing is, McChesney does a very good job of explaining that…
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