Posts by Mark Howell
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SMALL GROUP MODEL FOR YOUR CHURCH
You’re invited! Take advantage of my 4 session mini-course: How to Choose the Best Small Group Model for Your Church Here’s the question: Is there really a best small group model for your church? And if there is, what would happen if you were able to identify it and implement it? What do you think?…
Read MoreFriday’s List | July 21
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: How To Respond To A Culture You Don’t Like Anymore by Carey Nieuwhof. Read this TODAY. If you find what I write occasionally challenging, you’ll be challenged by this article…in a very good…
Read MoreAdd this Hearing God DVD (featuring Dallas Willard) to Your Recommended List
I had a rare privilege this week. I spent several hours with Dallas Willard, Richard Foster and John Ortberg. Not live, but on a very special video captured at a Renovaré event designed to introduce the core themes of Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, Willard’s classic, first published in 1999. This paragraph, from…
Read MoreGrowing in Gospel Fluency
“Those who are growing in gospel fluency are experiencing ongoing transformation themselves. They are experiencing ongoing change as the truths of the gospel are brought to bear on their thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and actions, transforming them into greater Christlikeness every day. They are growing up into Christ in every way because they are learning to…
Read MoreSkill Training: How to Stimulate Better Discussions
Several of my core assumptions about small group ministry come into play when I share this skill training. Most importantly, I believe the optimal environment for life change is a small group. At the same time, I also believe that in order for any small group to actually be an environment that produces life change,…
Read MoreTOP 5 THINGS EVERY SENIOR PASTOR NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
There are 5 things every senior pastor needs to know about small group ministry: First, senior pastors need to know that they are the most important champion of small group ministry If they want grouplife to happen, if they want to be a church OF groups, they must accept this role. They might hope to delegate the…
Read MoreFriday’s List | July 14
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: 5 Ways To Become A Better Leader…Today by Carey Nieuwhof. Apply these today! Not profound, but very timely for all of us. Marc Andreessen: “Take the Ego out of Ideas” This is a great…
Read MoreDon’t Miss The Apostles Creed by Matt Chandler
Finally had an opportunity this week to spend some time with The Apostles’ Creed, the newest small group study from Matt Chandler. Chandler, Lead Teaching Pastor of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, and President of the Acts 29 Network, is widely regarded as one of America’s finest communicators. He’s also the author of…
Read MoreHAS THE POST-CHRISTIAN METRIC ALTERED YOUR STRATEGY YET?
HAS THE POST-CHRISTIAN METRIC ALTERED YOUR STRATEGY YET? I hope you’re actively aware of and already beginning to address the realities of what many are calling “the post-Christian era.” If you’re not, there is a very good chance that some of your connecting and discipling strategies are actually outdated and no longer suitable for a…
Read MoreTAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY SKILL TRAINING SERIES (for leaders, hosts and coaches)
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MY SKILL TRAINING SERIES (for leaders, hosts and coaches) Over the last several years I’ve written over 50 articles designed to help small group leaders, hosts and small group coaches improve in an essential skill. For example, how to find new members for your group, learn to pray together, or stimulate better discussions.…
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