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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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We provide a number of resources and materials to educate both our participants and the general public on effective leadership principles.
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Blog
Try Having a Little Fun Together
By: Jock Ficken
Every high performing team that I’ve ever experience or led learned how to: Have FUN together, or Build COMMUNITY together, or CELEBRATE together or Do ALL THREE together, and do them well. Here’s the reality: 80% of American churches are declining. Some are rapidly declining. 16% of American churches are growing. 4% of American churches are reproducing… … Continue reading
Adventures in Relationships
By: Jock Ficken
This is a tricky one: Navigating relationships as a congregational leader in today’s world. You’ve told your teenage kids (if you have them): Show me your 5 best friends and I can tell you where you’re headed. The Apostle Paul said it this way: bad company corrupts good character. (1 Corinthians 15:33) It’s the same … Continue reading
The Leadership Adventure Continues
By: Jock Ficken
Last week I invited you into a season of adventure and leadership discovery. But first, this is why it’s important: We’ve had 2 years of everything taking a toll on everyone. Everything changed right in front of us, and accelerated us into a world we could little have imagined. Almost all of us have experienced … Continue reading
Time for Adventure and a Return to Learning
By: Jock Ficken
The summer of 2022 should be an invitation into adventure for you and me as leaders! “Seriously?” you say. Yes! Adventure…as wide-eyed learners! Set aside the expert “thing” for just a little bit. (A few years back when one of our teenage sons was making a few decisions Gail and I didn’t think were best, … Continue reading
You are a Leader
By: Jock Ficken
Remember the joke? It’s an old one. I heard it again twice in two months, in Ethiopia and then in Columbus, Indiana. Two guys are walking barefoot in the forest. They meet a bear planning his lunch. One guy starts to put on his running shoes. The other explains: “You’re never going to outrun the … Continue reading
3 Non-Negotiables for Congregational Change
By: Jock Ficken
Every day, leaders wake up knowing that their congregation must navigate change or distance itself from being a vibrant community with wider influence. Here’s the problem: Inertia wakes up even earlier every day and has already resolved to fend off any feeble attempts at desperately needed change that would challenge the status quo. So, here … Continue reading
A Simple Word & A Simple Story
By: Jock Ficken
I’m prompted to offer a simple word and a simple story. The Word Thanks! Thanks for the sacrifices and risks that you make for the Gospel to be shared with people who don’t live in His grace. Thanks for being faithful. Thanks for serving and leading when it would be easier to comply and coast. … Continue reading
Identity – Capturing Freedom to Lead and Live
By: Jock Ficken
Every person I know risks fastening their identity to the wrong thing. That’s alarming given the fact that identity might be the most fundamental of leadership building blocks. The Flourishing in Ministry study funded by the Lilly Foundation in 2019 interviewed thousands of pastors. Their results showed that placing your identity in the wrong thing … Continue reading
10 More Tips for Young Leaders
By: Jock Ficken
Last week I wondered what a new season of vibrant, mission pioneering might look like with the young leaders of today out in front following God. I offered 10 tips to Young Leaders. Here are 10 more tips for young leaders. Pick the one that stirs your heart and commands your attention. (If #6 intrigues you, … Continue reading
10 Tips for Young Leaders
By: Jock Ficken
If God chooses to usher in a next great season of mission and vibrancy across U.S. churches, He likely will use the young leaders…the filled-with-the-Spirit Joshuas (Deuteronomy 34:9) of today. A few years ago, I shared the following 10 tips for young leaders. A couple of these are more relevant for pastors, but most of … Continue reading
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