Archive for the ‘Leadership’ Category

Adaptive Leaders Dig Deep

By: Jock Ficken

As leaders we are supposed to have the answers. Right? But the world is ever changing and this leaves us feeling off balance. Uncertain. It takes courage and skill to step out and move into the unknown. We would like to offer five adaptive skills you need to practice in 2018 to lead in this … Continue reading →

Lead with a Humble Spirit

By: Jock Ficken

As leaders we are supposed to have the answers. Right? But the world is ever changing and this leaves us feeling off balance. Uncertain. It takes courage and skill to step out and move into the unknown. We would like to offer five adaptive skills you need to practice in 2018 to lead in this … Continue reading →

The Leadership Challenge

By: Jock Ficken

Thanks to so many of you who invested in the multi ethnic learning communities on #GivingTuesday. You can still join in building vibrant communities with wider Gospel influence. And then, do some Christmas shopping at Heartfelt Giving. Fill out the information for creating your own site and ask your members (they’re already shopping online) to … Continue reading →

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 →