Opportunity vs. Obligation Mode Thinking
How are you functioning? Is it purely about “maintaining a system that someone else invented?” Is it “reactively doing what you have to in order to get things done without building capacity for future work?” Those are both “symptoms of obligatory living.” Those are both about obligation mode. Here’s the thing. If you want to…
Read MoreHow to Create Effective GroupLife Strategy
A frequently cited assumption here is that there is no problem-free. Every solution and every strategy comes with a set of problems. Wise leaders simply choose the set of problems they’d rather have. No doubt by now, many of you are so used to reading that line, you use it yourself! Good for you! Today,…
Read MoreSurprised by Hope: A New DVD-Driven Study featuring N.T. Wright
Have groups that are looking for something a little more challenging? Had an opportunity recently to preview a new DVD-driven study featuring N.T. Wright, one of the world’s top biblical scholars. Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, based on Wright’s book by the same title is both challenging…
Read More101 Ways to Reach Your Community | A Classic from Steve Sjogren
One of the most powerful ideas popping up in conversations with churches like The Austin Stone and Community Christian has to do with developing a rhythm in group meeting patterns. For instance, small groups (or missional communities) meeting every week with a pattern of two weeks a month doing what normal small groups do (fellowship,…
Read MoreRick Warren on Innovation
Someone was asking me earlier this week what I wanted my title to be. I said, “Disruptor of the Status Quo.” I love Gary Hamel’s fabulous line that to really be about innovation: “You’re going to have to cross swords with innovation’s deadliest foe: the often unarticulated and mostly unexamined beliefs that tether you and…
Read MoreBuilding an Ecosystem of GroupLife
Ever wonder how some churches get to the place where they have more adults in groups than they do at their weekend services? Scratching your head trying to figure out why you’re struggling to break the 50% connected barrier? Or the 40% barrier? Or the 25% barrier? I think the answer is actually pretty simple.…
Read MoreThree Ways to Connect More People This Fall
All of us come into the fall ministry season with hopes of starting new groups and connecting more of our people into groups (where they can be encouraged, cared for, loved, and challenged). Last week we talked about three last minute ideas that will launch more groups. Today, I want to give you three ideas…
Read MoreTaking Responsibility for Your Life: a new study by Andy Stanley
Had a chance this week to preview a great new DVD-driven study. Taking Responsibility for Your Life, published by Zondervan is a 4 session study featuring teaching by Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor of North Point Community Church. Widely regarded as one of America’s most compelling communicators, Stanley is known for tackling tough issues in a…
Read MoreCheck Out These GroupLife Resources
Looking for grouplife resources? Here are folks that help make MarkHowellLive.com happen: Live Like You Were Dying: a church-wide campaign inspired by the Grammy award winning song. Developed by a team that helped launch the 40 Days of Purpose, the DVD features teaching by Gary Smalley. Churchteams: a pioneer in small group ministry software, Churchteams…
Read MoreDilbert on Small Groups
Sometimes Dilbert is able to capture the concept in a whole new way.
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