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PLI is devoted to empowering leaders for wider influence for the sake of the gospel in their communities and effective leadership in their ministries. Learn more about our vision and process here.
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Archive for the ‘Practical Church’ Category
Stabilizing and Encouraging your Donor Base
By: Todd Moritz
What you should do NOW! The world faces unprecedented times right now. While some of us may remember the 2008 financial crisis, 9/11, the oil crisis of the 1970’s–no one has lived through a health and financial crisis like this in their lifetime. The book on how to respond and what to do has not been written. … Continue reading
BLESS People and Turn Unlived Aspirations into Action
By: Jock Ficken
Leaders cast visions of everyone being everyday missionaries. Truth be told? Most leaders struggle to do it. Most people don’t have a clue how to do it. Here’s a great model to turn unlived aspiration into action…for everyone. Easy to remember. Easy to start practicing. Teach it. Practice it. Ask people to regularly tell stories … Continue reading
How to Successfully Invite People to Your Church
By: Jock Ficken
Over the last several decades, churches that experienced steady or rapid growth and people coming to faith in Jesus had congregational members who joyfully invited their friends, family, and neighbors to come to church. Several things were essential: People had relationships with people who didn’t attend a church. They were motivated by the love of … Continue reading
Six MORE Ways to Speak Life in Times of Crises
By: Sarah Greiner
The devastating results of #Harvey #Irma and the wildfires in Oregon have us in the PLI team thinking about the best ways to love and help neighbors, friends and strangers in times of crisis. We worked with Diane Bahn, resident in a Harvey affected area and Leadership Essentials leader/coach, to compile a list of helpful … Continue reading
3 Ways to Speak Life in Times of Crisis
By: Sarah Greiner
We at PLI are grieved by the tragedies in Texas, Florida and the wildfires in the Northwest. To the many in the PLI family that were affected, you are in our prayers. For those of you who are mobilizing to help, thank you. When we encounter someone in crisis it can be hard to know … Continue reading
A New Fundraising Model
By: Jock Ficken
Stewardship…Giving…Fund Raising…the churches that are navigating through the rough waters of adaptive challenge are also figuring out sustainable funding models. They are building future financial muscle today through a comprehensive (they’ve stopped dabbling!) gift planning initiative. Teri can share this affordable and highly effective PLI/LCMS Foundation model. They are building healthy current stewards by annually inviting … Continue reading
Why Not Lead with Saying Thank You?
By: Jock Ficken
Congregational leaders need to be bold masters at graciously navigating change! It’s essential to faithfully living out the vision that God has for your congregation…or people will never be touched with the love of Jesus! Members prefer to cast their vote for “no change” and champion the elusive status quo…until they realize the enormous short-sightedness … Continue reading
What do you measure?
By: Jock Ficken
Most churches measure average worship attendance each year. Offerings, too. Easter Sunday…for most the largest Sunday attendance of the year…gives a decided boost to the average. And the Sunday after Easter? For most it’s one of the lowest. An average attendance blow and a discouragement to the leaders who count. Most of us, no matter … Continue reading
5 Ways to Increase Impact and Sustainability Serving “Outside the Walls”
By: Jock Ficken
Getting outside the church walls to serve and represent the love of Jesus to people around you is a difficult step for many churches and many of us as individuals. I used to see it as an unnecessary drain of volunteer hours desperately needed to man the programs inside our church. And today’s emerging adults … Continue reading
6 Steps to Getting a Compelling Congregational Focus for 2017
By: Jock Ficken
Churches do it differently. Most miss the benefit of doing it at all. So, leaders… if you don’t already have a next year focus, here’s a simple way to discover it together. You’ll be surprised at what results when you leverage the collective energies of the people of God in your congregation around a common … Continue reading