Top 10 Ideas to Help You Build a Thriving Small Group Ministry Post-COVID
I hope you already realize that building a thriving small group ministry in 2021 will require some new ideas. Doing the same things you did in 2019 (in the way you did them), will certainly produce a different (and probably lesser) outcome. I like this quote from Peter Drucker: “The enterprise that does not innovate…
Read MoreTop 10 Articles on Engagement and Belonging
I don’t know about you, but as we step further into 2021 it feels like a mix. The return of something familiar is tempered by the accompaniment of reduced expectations and modified hopes. In the mix are some reminders that COVID-19 heightened awareness that watching online is a more convenient experience for some (maybe even…
Read MoreLAUNCH MORE GROUPS + CONNECT MORE PEOPLE IN ’21 WITH 5 SIMPLE STRATEGIES
Ready to start new groups and connect more people? After all that happened in 2020, I’d say EVERYONE is ready for something different. But I think we all realize that what’s worked in the past might not work the same way in 2021. With me? Here’s the thing though. There are some proven strategies that…
Read MoreDo you know about my membership site?
I launched GroupLife Insider, my membership site, almost 3 years ago. Why a membership site? As much as I enjoy sharing my insights, strategies, tips and ideas here on MarkHowellLive.com, there has always been a limit to how much I could develop and give away for free. Like you, I have a day job. And…
Read More7 Skills Every Small Group Pastor Must Develop
What skills must every small group pastor have in their skill set? I’ve written about the 5 habits I’d look for if I was hiring a small group pastor. This is really a different thing. A habit predicts behavior (good or bad). The right habits predict motivated behaviors in line with the mission of their…
Read More5 Great Ways to Blow Up Your Small Group Ministry
You’ve worked hard to build your small group ministry. It’s humming along; firing on all cylinders. And at just about any moment there are a few things that can blow up most of what you’ve worked hard to accomplish. You've worked hard to build your small group ministry. It's humming along; firing on all cylinders.…
Read MoreWill You Take Advantage of Jumpstart January ’21?
I think you’ll agree that these are challenging times. In fact, everything about 2020 makes it one of the most challenging seasons ever. And yet, I believe there is an unprecedented opportunity in early 2021 to connect more unconnected people than ever before. I also believe that if we connect unconnected people in the right…
Read MoreIS THIS PRACTICE PART OF YOUR POST-COVID STRATEGY?
Think about this statement: “Every next step that is designed and offered should lead only in the direction of the “individual” preferred future to which you want everyone to go.” Here are three things you should notice about the statement: It assumes you have already developed a clear understanding of your “individual” preferred future. Most…
Read MoreHAVE YOU EVALUATED WHAT YOU’RE OFFERING POST-COVID-19?
One of the practices I wrote about in 10 Practices You Need to Adopt Going Forward (post-COVID-19), is a thorough evaluation of your existing belong and become menu. Note: When you read “belong” think connection or fellowship. When you read “become” think growth or discipleship. Every church already has a menu of fellowship (belong) and…
Read MoreOFFER BELONGING (AND CONNECTION) BEFORE BEING ASKED
Have you ever come up with an idea that turned out to genius? I call it a genius innovation when you find yourself experiencing something and thinking, “This is so cool! Why didn’t I think of this?!!” We’ve all experienced genius innovation. But sometimes a genius innovation has its day and then fades away. Maybe…
Read More