“Most leaders are looking for tools, never realizing that the number one tool they have to lead with is themselves.”

Rev. Dr. Jock Ficken, PLI Executive Leader 2013-2024

PLI has tools that you can put in your leadership toolbox, and we want you to have them for all the crucial, essential places and ways you lead. But don’t forget those tools are not paramount. God is not just an equipper. He is the transformer. He is the God of making dead things alive. He knows that your greatest competencies won’t come from a more informed leadership toolbox but from becoming a transformed leader. 

Leaders are often quick to want the fastest solution, thinking that the gaping wound is more like a scratch in need of a quick bandaid. The path forward for the church will not be led by leaders with the best leadership tools; it will be led by leaders who submit to the Kingship of Jesus. 

You are being transformed by Jesus. Security is only found in the transformational work of God through Jesus’ redeeming grace, by the power of His Holy Spirit. God is doing the work of rooting your security in Him, not in your job, finances, worship attendance, or anything else. 

Sometimes God wants to do Kingdom work in you, before/as He does Kingdom work through you.

Look at the Apostle Paul.

He didn’t exactly get it “right” the first time, either. In the book of Acts, we see Saul started as a man with a (bad) vision that sought to persecute a people group who thought differently from him. After an encounter with Jesus, he is given a new vision—to preach Christ to the Gentiles or anyone who would listen. This, we would all agree, was a much better vision, but Paul had not yet developed a team and was mostly alone. Over time, he finds himself as part of a team, growing in such a way that he eventually leads a team of his own. But then Paul’s team splits. Through all of these seasons, God is growing Paul. Eventually he ends up leading and growing a team who experience Kingdom breakthrough. And the cool thing was that it would go on to happen even when he wasn’t present with them. His ministry started a movement which changed the world, and it didn’t start out the way any of us would have drawn it up.

What would have happened if Paul had not persevered past his failures or challenges?

So, the leadership question for you today could be, “How are my past failures preventing me from persevering and pressing into the kingdom work God can and will do through me?”