Archive for the ‘Discipleship’ Category

Discipleship in Uncertain Times: An Interview with Sarah and Micah Greiner

By: Jock Ficken

Several years ago, as Gail and I would give updates at PLI learning communities, we would challenge leaders that the church in America needs pioneers. Leaders who are willing to dare and try and risk with no confidence that the outcome will be preferred. Leaders who are willing to experiment for the sake of the … Continue reading →

The Clock is Ticking

By: Jock Ficken

The clock is ticking down on 2020. Most of us would say that it couldn’t come too soon. And most of us would say that while taxed and tired, our faith has been strengthened and we’ve been reminded that God can be trusted to protect and provide. Thanks for leading and following Jesus with integrity … Continue reading →

Stop Setting Up Leaders to Fail

By: Jock Ficken

The door to a vibrant, future church in 2030 swings on the hinges of relational discipleship! Here are 4 thoughts: We’ve settled for a discipleship that looks good on the surface. You can only give away what you yourself possess. Minimally transformed leaders produce minimally transformed leadership groups that result in minimally transformed ministries. And… … Continue reading →

Don’t Go It Alone

By: Jock Ficken

These simple words were spoken to a room full of young pastoral couples. They were well seasoned words marked with wisdom, insight and experience! Here’s the essence. See if there’s a good word or two for you today! “Don’t go it alone! “People…leaders…get off track when they go it alone. “They become legends in their … Continue reading →

Discipleship: Three lessons I learned from playing Simon Says

By: Sarah Greiner

Do you or your people feel useless?

By: Jock Ficken

There’s a growing trickle of churches that increasingly engage their communities. They invest in the baptized people of God to become shepherds/missionaries where they live, work and play. This is no small task for most church leaders! People often see themselves as unable or disabled to be real participants in God’s mission. They’re good people…they … Continue reading →

Disciple Me First

By: Sarah Greiner

Chances are, you’ve been discipled. At some point along your faith journey someone took time to disciple, or pour into you. It probably happened unintentionally in the casual moments of life. Maybe it was the “ask your pastor any question” time in confirmation, conversations in the car with your dad, or at the dinner table … Continue reading →

Discipling is not for Experts

By: Sarah Greiner

When I asked Tricia Foster, PLI alumni and discipleship huddle leader, what things Jesus taught her about discipleship through leading huddles, the first thing she said was “You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to have a disciple.” This is a bit earth shattering. Jesus had disciples and I’d say he was an expert. … Continue reading →

Relationships Lead to Jesus: A Story from China

By: Sarah Greiner

Earlier this month, Scott and Lori Rische, leaders of our international work based in China, were able to baptize their friend Eva. Through her relationship with the Risches and other believers, God cultivated curiosity about Jesus that eventually led Eva to come to faith.   “Lori and I got to know Eva (her English name) … Continue reading →

Why Can’t I Disciple Leaders Like Jesus and Paul?

By: Jock Ficken

If the church is going to recapture the mission zeal of the New Testament or the mission zeal demonstrated in much of our own history, it will need to be able to navigate a significant shift from… recruiting volunteers to serve to discipling leaders for mission. Simple enough, right?  More and more the Mission of God will … Continue reading →