Archive for the ‘Leadership’ Category

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

5 Things to Remember about Leading Change

By: Jock Ficken

Change for the sake of change is never good. It’s a waste of time, or worse, an abuse of people. It’s the issue that’s in front of every pastor and every leader and every congregation in one form or fashion…it’s not just you! And that’s why I want to offer a few reminders about leading … Continue reading →

The 10 Imperceptible Leader Drifts

By: Jock Ficken

No leader, woman or man, drifts toward a preferred destination! Congregations today desperately need leaders who can point them enthusiastically toward a future vision that embodies the Mission of God while also taking on the challenge of leading themselves well. Here are 10 leader drifts: Retreating to small, safe vision when big visions and bold … Continue reading →

It’s Fun to be a Leader…Again

By: Jock Ficken

It’s fun to be a leader again! Have you been there? After a season of congregational leadership not being fun, to step out of the forest and into the bright sunshine of leadership and find that it’s “fun”? It’s a great thing! I loved hearing one of the leaders in the PLI family simply declare: … Continue reading →

Here’s to the Dispassionate Leader!

By: Jock Ficken

Leaders need to be dispassionate — at times! I’m a champion for leaders leading with passion. Hearts fully engaged. Leaning forward. Willing to take on the “uphillness” of holding out the Mission of God. Helping the people of God align their hearts and activity around God’s vision and not condoning the simple drift to lowest … Continue reading →

I’ve Got One More Good Run in Me

By: Jock Ficken

Gail and I have opportunity to be in conversations with PLI family across all age groups, from those entering PLI in their 20s and all the way to those in their 70s and 80s eager to invest in the leaders several decades their junior. We frequently hear the 50s/early 60’s crowd say… I love these … Continue reading →

3 Questions that Get Real and Move On

By: Sarah Greiner

As leaders how often are we honest? I mean, really step back and take stock of what’s actually going on in our ministry culture? If we do, are we afraid of what we’ll find? Will we be paralyzed by fear? Here are 3 questions we ask in PLI’s Discipleship to Missional Community to help leaders … Continue reading →