Your Philosophy of Ministry and Decision-Making
Have you ever really thought through your philosophy of ministry? How about the assumptions that shape your small group strategy? See also, 10 Ideas that Have Shaped My Philosophy of Ministry and 7 Assumptions that Shape My Small Group Strategy. I know, it may seem like something you will do someday or something that would…
Read MoreHave You Made These 3 Game-Changing Observations about Small Group Ministry?
I had lunch yesterday with a couple new friends from another church in town. We ended up having a wide ranging conversation about the rationale or underlying philosophy that makes certain small group ministry decisions obvious. Their answers to my battery of questions led to several observations about best practices. Sometimes you can see things…
Read MoreFAQ: How to Budget for a Thriving Small Group Ministry
I get questions. A LOT of questions. Some by email. Others embedded in comments here on the blog. And still more when I’m speaking at a conference or workshop. Some version of today’s question is a very frequent question: “What do you need to budget for if you want to build a small group ministry?”…
Read MoreFriday’s List: October 28
Friday’s List: October 28 I’ve been meaning to do this for quite awhile. I’m asked for recommendations all the time. I’ll be posting a short list every Friday. Here are the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: Steve Jobs on communicating your core values ow.ly/PM1u305qkDm by Garr…
Read MoreChris McChesney on The Biggest Destroyer of Focus
“Nothing is more counterintuitive for a leader than saying no to a good idea, and nothing is a bigger destroyer of focus than always saying yes.” Chris McChesney The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals Nothing is more counterintuitive for a leader than saying no to a good idea, and nothing is a…
Read MoreCelebrating 2000 Posts: My 20 Favorites
Earlier this month I published my 2000 post here at MarkHowellLive.com. I knew I was closing in on it, but honestly it slipped by without me noticing. I began blogging here in early 2008. Although I don’t have accurate stats on readers and pageviews until 2009, I know it was a slow beginning in terms…
Read More7 Signs You Have the Wrong Small Group Ministry System
You know how there are times when something feels off, but you just can’t figure out what it is? Something’s wrong, but you just can’t quite put your finger on it. Like you’re driving along and the car just doesn’t feel right. Or something’s just off kilter in a relationship. Or when your back gets…
Read MoreWho’s coaching you? Anyone?
Who’s coaching you? Anyone? Who’s coaching you? Now before you even think about that, take a moment and think about the following: You realized a long time ago that whatever you want to happen in the lives of small group members has to happen in the lives of their leaders first. It was one of…
Read MoreFriday’s List: October 21
Friday’s List: October 21 I’ve been meaning to do this for quite awhile. I’m asked for recommendations all the time. I’ll be posting a short list every Friday. Here are the things I’m reading, listening to, loving and wrestling with: Here’s what I’m reading right now: 5 Emotional Intelligence Hacks that Can Immediately Improve Your…
Read MoreDallas Willard on Trust without Obedience
“The idea that you can trust Christ and not intend to obey him is an illusion…. In fact, you can no more trust Jesus and not intend to obey him than you could trust your doctor or your auto mechanic and not intend to follow their advice. If you do not intend to follow their…
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