3 Things You Can Do This Week to Connect More People After Easter
There are three ideal times to connect unconnected people every year. In most churches, late September/early October has the most potential followed by late January/early February. A couple weeks after Easter presents a third very promising option to connect unconnected people. It’s not problem-free, but the reality is every season comes with its own set…
Read MoreTop 5 Church-Wide Campaigns for 2022
Planning a church-wide campaign for 2022? If you’re thinking about fall ’22, you’ve still got plenty of time. If you’re thinking about post Easter…it’s time to decide! See also, When Is the Best Time to Launch a Church-Wide Campaign. While choosing the best church-wide campaigns is certainly subjective, I’ve made these selections with almost 20 years…
Read MoreSkill Training: Sub-Grouping for Deeper Connection and Wider Disciple-Making
“My group members don’t want to sub-group!” “We’d really rather stay together.” “We don’t want to miss out on what anyone says.” If you’ve heard any of these lines (or said them yourselves), you’re normal. If you’ve given into the temptation to stay in a circle of 12 (or anything larger than 3 or 4)…
Read MoreSkill Training: The Easiest Way to Help Your Members Pray Out Loud
We have all been there. You come to the end of the meeting. You ask, “How can we pray for you this week?” Most of your group members share a prayer request. You say, “Let’s pray.” And no one else prays. At least, no one else prays out loud. What can you do? How can…
Read More6 Decisions That Limit Ministry Growth
You know that “your ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results you are currently experiencing (Andy Stanley).” You know the well-worn path never arrives at a new destination. You even know Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.” You know all these things. And at…
Read More5 Things to Do in January (that lead to more groups in 2022)
5 Things to Do in January (that lead to more groups in 2022) Want to connect more people in 2022? There are a few things you can do now to exponentially increase the number you connect. Here are 5 things to do: 1. Plan a connecting event in late January or early February. If you…
Read MoreMerry Christmas from the Howells
WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST. MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS CHRISTMAS AND ALWAYS. Mark and Debbie Howell
Read MoreLead Indicators vs Lead Measures (and the Surprising Super Powers Available When You Know What to Look for)
I have written a lot about ideas, practices and tools you might think aren’t really about ministry (and in particular, small group ministry). Things like customers, the preferred future, milestones, lead measures, lead indicators, scorecards and job descriptions. The title for this post is important. “Lead Indicators vs Lead Measures (and the Surprising Super Powers…
Read MoreFour Essential Qualities of an Effective Small Group Pastor
Do you have a job description for a small group pastor? What should we be looking for in a small group pastor? Can you help us find the right small group pastor? These are just a few of the questions I get asked on a regular basis. Want to know what I tell them? The…
Read MoreReimagine and Launch a Powerful Church-Wide Campaign in 2022
There are several reasons that I continue to write about church-wide campaigns*. First, the church-wide campaign strategy continues to be the best way to launch the largest number of new groups and connect the largest number of unconnected people. Second, spiritual growth happens best when a combination of experiences are all working on the same…
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