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Archive for the ‘Leadership’ Category
Leading with Integrity
By: Jock Ficken
An Interview with Diane Bahn Diane Bahn wraps up an incredible run leading with integrity on the PLI team as she retires this month. I recently sat down with her and asked her to reflect upon her journey and life in PLI. If Diane has touched your life, would you send her a note of … Continue reading
Unlikely and Overlooked Leadership for Challenging Times
By: Gail Ficken
Gail Ficken shares some thoughts on leadership for these challenging times. It’s a crazy, unprecedented time. For some reason, God has pushed pause on everything we know as “normal” in the church. These days can crush HOPE. They can squeeze out COURAGE. So it’s a season for pioneers, for people willing to assume the challenge … Continue reading
Hope & Courage Drive Transformational Leadership
By: Jock Ficken
Hope and Courage! They’re the fundamental octane for leading through disruptive change and adversity. New Hope leads to New Courage! They drive transformational leadership. You need it as a leader! You need to deliver on it as a leader in your congregation. For Gail and me, this is so deeply embedded in us. It’s how … Continue reading
6 Simple Ways to Inspire Hope and Courage
By: Jock Ficken
The pandemic has accelerated change in every one of our congregations. And, it’s opening new doors. Simple Truth: If you want to see a transformed ministry, it starts with a transformed leader who builds on the blocks of Leadership Essentials. It starts with you as the leader being infused with fresh hope and courage. It … Continue reading
5 Solutions to Pandemic Inadequacy and Insecurity
By: Sherrah Behrens
Is pandemic conflict and uncertainty making you feel inadequate? Insecure? Let’s be honest. Pandemic conflict and uncertainty is taking a toll on the best of congregational leaders. Hope is maybe on the way but it’s still a ways away…if you’re thinking vaccines. You’ve probably identified with Elijah’s “I’m the only one left.” OR Abraham’s “Sovereign … Continue reading
Leading in an Urban Community
By: Jock Ficken
I recently interviewed Rev. Dr. Dan Czaplewski about leading in the urban community of Milwaukee. Over the last 30-40 years 55 Lutheran churches have closed in Milwaukee. Today, Mt. Calvary is a vibrant church and school a few blocks from the location of the 2016 riots in Milwaukee. Here’s part one of two offerings. Dan, … Continue reading
Lessons for the Church…from the Geese
By: Jock Ficken
Did you ever think you’d be getting leadership lessons from geese? “Geese in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to up their speed. It is important that honking from behind be seen as encouraging. Otherwise, it is just—well—honking.” Dr. Robert McNeish Here are three thoughts: Thought #1— Leadership got decidedly … Continue reading
The Muddled Mess of Leadership
By: Jock Ficken
I have three simple thoughts today for our COVID-19 world and the muddled mess of leading a congregation! There’s a deep longing to go back to what used to be, to put it all behind us and return to normal. We want to escape the anxiety and ambiguity and go back to what we used … Continue reading
11 Things Church Leaders are Getting Right in COVID-19
By: Jock Ficken
COVID-19 is no longer an interruption. It’s a disruption of everything. Church. Education. Economy. Government. Disruption. No bump in the road. Church experts are gone. Those that claim to be are mere pretenders. Crises eliminate experts. Here are 11 things church leaders like you are doing and getting right. They: Make decisions for today…not forever. … Continue reading
The 7 Hope Killers of a Leader
By: Jock Ficken
Leadership hope is being tested these days. Leaders and congregations can overcome all manner of obstacles and take on the greatest of challenges when hope burns bright. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake … Continue reading
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