Archive for the ‘Leadership’ Category

10 Things We Learned from the Flood

By: Jock Ficken

Hurricane Harvey and Greater Houston Our hearts have been warmed by the incredible response in and for greater Houston and equally overwhelmed by the scope of its loss and devastation. For those of you “in it”…you are loved. For those of us on the outside looking in… we get ready for the long haul of … Continue reading →

Maintaining #WorkFromRest in a Busy Fall

By: Sarah Greiner

Rest in summer often has time on its side. Week long vacations where you can slow down and get away are common. But how do you maintain a work from rest rhythm in the busy fall season when the calendar fills in and life gets nuts? We asked three PLI team members and here’s what … Continue reading →

#WorkFromRest Introverts and Extroverts

By: Sarah Greiner

The 5 Courage Killers of Dead Man’s Hill

By: Jock Ficken

Last week I likened my “turn around” at Dead Man’s Hill to the experience most congregations and plenty of leaders have with taking on their greatest challenge. Now I offer the 5 courage killers that any leader, woman or man, needs to know and confront. They’re embedded in who we are. (And they’re adapted from Heifetz, … Continue reading →

7 Steps to Surviving Sabotage

By: Jock Ficken

Almost every congregation is in desperate need of stronger leadership (individual and shared) to help them be vibrant communities of faith that can take on their toughest challenges. Most churches never thought that leadership development for their pastor(s) and others might be their most under resourced aspect of ministry! Last week’s Surviving Sabotage pointed the finger … Continue reading →

#WorkFromRest Pitfalls And How To Avoid Them

By: Sarah Greiner

Surviving Sabotage

By: Jock Ficken

The call came while we were on a February family vacation some years ago. Our congregation was deciding to leave its much loved 150 year old inner city campus to join the rapidly growing suburban campus and then expand our vibrant Hispanic congregation in its place. “Pastor, there’s a hundred people in Luther Hall. They’re … Continue reading →

4 Things Great Leaders Never Do

By: Jock Ficken

Good congregational leadership is imperative!      Good congregational leadership can be developed! Here are 4 things good church leaders never do! Good Leaders never blame circumstances or other people for their congregational challenges. It is what it is. They pray. They trust. They roll up their sleeves. They go about the task of taking action.  … Continue reading →

Leading with What’s Left

By: Jock Ficken

Mistakes Leaders Make and How to Fix Them “I’m not sure how much I have left.” There have been a few pivotal moments/seasons in my leadership years where I’ve hauntingly wondered, occasionally voiced, “I’m not sure how much I have left.” I’d tell Gail. In my darkest “wonder what’s left” it was sometimes difficult even … Continue reading →

Summer’s Here! Refresh!

By: Sarah Greiner