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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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Life is better connected. Connect with others to experience life-giving community and build authentic relationships. We have several learning communities. Find the best fit for you.
Resources
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
11 Things Church Leaders are Getting Right in COVID-19
By: Jock Ficken
COVID-19 is no longer an interruption. It’s a disruption of everything. Church. Education. Economy. Government. Disruption. No bump in the road. Church experts are gone. Those that claim to be are mere pretenders. Crises eliminate experts. Here are 11 things church leaders like you are doing and getting right. They: Make decisions for today…not forever. … Continue reading
Review: The Emotionally Healthy Leader
By: Jock Ficken
by Rev. Dr. Michael A.L. Eckelkamp In order to review Peter Scazzero’s The Emotionally Healthy Leader, please allow me to share the illustration of a single-person sailboat. I present two options for getting this tiny boat to move. The first approach seems obvious: the sailor puts the sail into the wind, which then moves the … Continue reading
It’s All About Discipleship: An Interview with Kenton Birtell
By: Jock Ficken
I recently sat down with Pastor Kenton Birtell in Holdrege, NE, to talk about life, ministry, COVID-19 and reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus. Kenton and his wife Linda and their team recently completed PLI’s D2MC learning community. You’ll be encouraged, comforted and blessed by his humble spirit and gifted wisdom. Kenton, how are … Continue reading
Don’t Let COVID-19 Control Your Church’s Future
By: Gail & Jock Ficken
It’s difficult not to! Right? To not let COVID-19 control your church’s future? We get it. It’s overwhelming. We get bad news coupled with confusing signals. It creates uncertainty. And trying to understand congregational life? We have mixed messages from members. Mixed metrics. At PLI, just like you, there’s a lot we don’t know but … Continue reading
The 7 Hope Killers of a Leader
By: Jock Ficken
Leadership hope is being tested these days. Leaders and congregations can overcome all manner of obstacles and take on the greatest of challenges when hope burns bright. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake … Continue reading
7 Emerging Benefits of the Lighter Backpack
By: Gail & Jock Ficken
Thanks! We know you’ve been running hard. Dealing with fatigue! Balancing worlds that don’t balance well. Last week Mark Teike pointed us forward on the journey toward understanding and acting upon racial prejudice and racial reconciliation. “In 2020 believers started to act their way into a new way of thinking…a new level of followership…” from … Continue reading
Mark Teike on Racial Reconcilation…a Conversation (and Invitation)
By: Jock Ficken
Join us tomorrow, Friday, June 12, on PLI Facebook Live at 11 AM CDT for prayer and an insightful dialogue around racial reconciliation with Pastor Mark Teike, a longtime PLI mentor, teacher and trainer, and Dr. Frank Griffin, Bishop Charles Sims and Dr. Jane Sims, longtime friends and colleagues in Columbus, Indiana. Invite others to … Continue reading
A Response to the Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis
By: Jock Ficken
In the midst of Covid-19, we’ve been rocked—once again!—with the news that an unarmed black American man has died needlessly in the streets as a police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Our emotions run high. Angry. Embarrassed. Depressed. How can this type of injustice still be happening to our brothers … Continue reading
The 5 Courage Killers Meet COVID-19
By: Jock Ficken
Almost a year ago I wrote “The 5 Courage Killers” below. Some of the people in your church probably won’t be coming back to the church…soon. Others will be in a mad rush to get back to “everything’s normal.” Just to feel “normal”… Good or bad. Just Normal. You’re in a tough spot as a … Continue reading
Thoughts at the Cemetery
By: Jock Ficken
My first year as a pastor, as a leader of a congregation, was a shaky one. I arrived, and… By Labor Day was the assistant. By Christmas was the solo. By Easter was the senior. By Memorial Day…exhausted. Today, I shudder to think that my “career” could have been over quickly. Too much, too soon! … Continue reading
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