Posts by Mark Howell
How to Use Special Days to Launch Groups
If you’re like most churches you’re now convinced that an annual church-wide campaign (an alignment) is a great way to help start new small groups. That jury is already in. The question most are asking is what’s the best way to start groups the rest of the year? The answer? Any way you can…but there is another little known and…
Read MoreHow to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection: Execution Part 1
Note: I posted a 2016 update to this article right here. I’ve made significant improvements to the way I use the small group connection strategy.
Read MoreDetermining Who Can Lead
Regardless of the method you use to launch a small group (Connection, HOST, apprentice or plain old fashioned recruiting), determining who can lead is a prerequisite. Some churches are uncomfortable allowing non-members to lead a small group. Some are much less restrictive, allowing anyone to pick up the material and invite friends. Still others determine…
Read MoreChurch Is a Team Sport
Picked up a copy of Church Is a Team Sport: A Championship Strategy for Doing Ministry Together by Pastor Jim Putman of Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho. With attendance of 8,000 on the weekend, this 8 year old church is one of the fastest growing churches in America. Even more impressive? They’re in…
Read MoreHow to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection: Preparation
Note: I posted a 2016 update to this article right here. I’ve made significant improvements to the way I use the small group connection strategy.
Read MoreDVD-Driven Curriculum
Looking for a way to help more of your congregation have a toe-in-the-water experience with a small group? You’ll find some recommended church-wide campaign ideas right here. You can find my reviews to the newest DVD-driven curriculum right here. Below you’ll find some of the DVD-driven small group studies that you should know about: Experiencing…
Read MoreThe Last 10%
Great post today over at Big Ideas about Small Groups about saying the last 10%. Whether you’re talking confrontation or leader development there is always a temptation to say a lot of what you need to and then walk away without saying the last 10%. Take a look at what Carter has to say about…
Read MoreHow to Develop Video or Live Testimony That Recruits Leaders or Members
When it comes to promoting small group ministry opportunities nothing comes close to the power of personal testimony (live or video). While that statement might not be a mystery, in practice most of us end up doing the least effective thing instead. In the great hierarchy of marketing effectiveness the least effective is print (I’ve…
Read MoreIf I Was Starting Today: Part 7
(This is part 7 of a 7 part series. You can read part 1 right here) If I knew then what I know now…I’d take advantage of the central role of the senior pastor. This is a huge concept and absolutely explains a key difference between churches that with groups and churches of groups (see…
Read MoreAlignment
The concept of an alignment, or a church-wide campaign, (the combination of a weekend message series and a small group curriculum) is probably the most important spiritual growth development in the last hundred years. Preaching in series allows an idea to be fully developed. Adding the element of a small group study that complements the…
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