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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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Blog
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
4 Simple and Important Steps in Leading Your Leaders During COVID-19
By: Jock Ficken
Let’s be brief this week… Here are 4 Simple and Important Steps in Leading Your Leaders Celebrate What You’ve Accomplished in the Last Two Months! You’re doing things today that you didn’t know how to spell let alone do two months ago. Make a list. Celebrate. Smile and tell each other you never would have … Continue reading
Sign Up for “The Great Opportunity” or “School Scenarios”
By: Gail & Jock Ficken
Thanks for Leading! Last week Gail and I shared the 6 questions you and your congregational leaders need to be asking to do more with less in the coming season. These two assumptions inform the two opportunities below! Assumption #1 – The Corona Virus might have a quick cure but there’s a high probability that … Continue reading
Do More with Less in a COVID-19/post COVID-19 World
By: Gail & Jock Ficken
COVID-19/post COVID-19 will have far reaching effects on your church: It will create more opportunities for Kingdom impact. It will result in less resources to do it. It might be over in a few weeks or months…but it won’t be over. It will make decisions for you if you don’t decide to act first. It … Continue reading
5 Things You Have to Get Right Coming Out of COVID-19
By: Jock Ficken
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 During times of uncertainty and crisis, churches have a greater need for gifted, confident leadership! Welcome to the party…as a gifted, confident leader! (Or better said, as a group of gifted, … Continue reading
You Made It Through Easter! Now, What’s Next?
By: Jock Ficken
Easter has come. He is Risen. He is Risen indeed! You made it. The future looks bright! It’s just more difficult getting there than most of us thought! There are whispers that the U.S. might start to reopen in the next few weeks. So, what does this mean? According to Barna/Gloo: Two-thirds of churches report … Continue reading
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