PLI Leadership

I asked a bunch of younger leaders to do the difficult, to challenge some “landing pattern” pastors and spouses and others who have served so well for so long to not squander what might be their largest legacy in helping the Church set sail toward a new season of great mission vibrancy.

This “landing pattern” group has banked enormous relational capital. People half their age long for what they have!

Wholeness with God.

Peace.

Relationships that work.

But it will take a reset. And it’s not going to happen from the pulpit.

Gail and I started down this “reset path” a few years back. We nearly quit. We started out alone. The environment was too foreign. The sanctuary had been our primary domain.

We needed someone to lead us out of our own pit. No boast here; just a simple testimony to say there’s a land flowing with milk and mission field honey if you don’t let the giants scare you away prematurely.

I’m tempted to cite Abraham and Sarah (she laughed), or Moses (he was slow of speech), or Caleb, but they were all too old for a relevant “landing pattern” application here.

Maybe a simple Acts of the Apostles reference to Paul works best here. Paul had a number of what I would have experienced as failures, disappointments, conflicts, gut-wrenching setbacks before the 19th chapter when, at Ephesus, Paul experienced enormous mission field honey mixed with the miraculous.

Maybe Paul secured better skills and deeper knowledge. Or maybe the combination of events of the earlier chapters left Paul dying to a lot of himself so he could be deeply useful and enormously trusting in the hands of a missionary God.

And I’m thinking that might be you, too.

PLI’s learning communities deliver mission field training and investment that help you get from where you’ve been to where God might be leading next.

Don’t let the giants scare you away. Don’t let a couple chapters of disappointments, conflicts, gut-wrenching setbacks scare you away.

Contact Raechel. Tell her you’re thinking about…

Discipleship to Missional Community

Leadership Essentials

Senior Leader

So, if this becomes your FOCUS I can promise you that you’ll bump up against…

Feelings of incompetence

Character gaps

Unpolished skills

And, ironically, an underdeveloped confidence in God to work through His Word.

But, you’ll be surprised by…

A sense of adventure like you’ve forgotten could exist.

The unscripted work of the Holy Spirit (I think you’ll find Dr. David Luecke’s work helpful. Visit the website whathappened.church. Check out especially his resources for How to Spot the Spirit’s Work in your Life.)

Here are two realities:

Reality 1: The United States is one of the largest mission fields in the world.

Reality 2: Large numbers of pastor-leaders (spouse-leaders and lay-leaders too!) will retire in the next 3… or 5… or 7 years. They’re all flying toward a landing pattern transition. (Or they’ve already landed.)

The popular view is that this bunch at this stage typically represents:

less effectiveness,

less vision,

less passion about Kingdom enterprise.

Because they’re in the landing pattern. Even though most of this bunch possess:

great wisdom,

deep faith,

significant relationships in their congregations.

None of these should be allowed to be conscripted to the less effective, less vision, less passion landing pattern assumption. I would propose to you that it’s begging to be leveraged for the discipling of leaders for this large mission field and the rebirthing of vibrant communities of faith.

So, younger leaders! Here’s my ask:

If you’re seeing what I’m seeing? You need to LEAD UP (age wise) and speak a bigger vision into some of these folks! You need to:

Get across the table from a couple of them.

Look ‘em square in the eye like a poker player that won’t be bluffed.

Shove this blog across the table at them and say:

I think this is you! You need to be thinking more, more, more in this mission field and not buying into the less, less, less.

OR if it’s YOU in the 3…5…7 year (or less) landing pattern…

It might be an even harder leadership challenge to look yourself in the mirror and refuse to blink and admit that it’s time to retool for a next season (even into retirement) that could be surprisingly refreshing, energizing and fruitful!

It’s far from an emerging trend—yet!—but right now I can think of at least 7 or 8 pastors (and most times their spouses) looking to land in retirement in a few years charting new flight plans and:

Discipling “Christian consumers” toward mobilized “mission producers.”

Altering congregational trajectories.

Exercising simple hospitality with friendship and food in community where the Word of God is given permission to birth faith and change lives.

They’re FOCUSED and having fun.

And here’s what’s crazy: There are people half this crowd’s age who would give their left arm for what they possess:

Peace,

Wholeness with God,

Relationships that work,

…and a somewhat unflappable confidence in the face of hardship.

But they have no plans to sit in front of a pulpit to find it!

Blogging begets bluntness here.

To the “landing pattern” crowd! You won’t get there by yourselves. You just won’t be able to make the jump by yourself. You grew up with missionaries going to New Guinea or somewhere far! You won’t make the jump. You’ll get stuck in the pit. You’ll quit.

I know.

It’s like being a fruitful Daniel in Babylon after Judah.

…and you’ll wring your hands. Wish it were different. And as a result you’ll squander what might be your largest legacy in helping the Church set sail toward a new season of great mission vibrancy.

This is simple. It’s just not easy. If it were easy you’d already be doing it.

Finally, to the younger leaders! Got a “landing pattern” pastor or some others OR you’re in the landing pattern “crowd” yourself and you need to look yourself in the mirror?

Look at Discipleship to Missional Community.

Let Raechel know you’re thinking about PLI. No commitment. Just thinking.

Pray this week. And come back next week for part 2.

Here are two realities:

Reality 1: The United States is one of the largest mission fields in the world.

Reality 2: Large numbers of pastor-leaders (spouse-leaders and lay-leaders too!) will retire in the next 3… or 5… or 7 years. They’re all flying toward a landing pattern transition. (Or they’ve already landed.)

The popular view is that this bunch at this stage typically represents:

less effectiveness,

less vision,

less passion about Kingdom enterprise.

Because they’re in the landing pattern. Even though most of this bunch possess:

great wisdom,

deep faith,

significant relationships in their congregations.

None of these should be allowed to be conscripted to the less effective, less vision, less passion landing pattern assumption. I would propose to you that it’s begging to be leveraged for the discipling of leaders for this large mission field and the rebirthing of vibrant communities of faith.

So, younger leaders! Here’s my ask:

If you’re seeing what I’m seeing? You need to LEAD UP (age wise) and speak a bigger vision into some of these folks! You need to:

Get across the table from a couple of them.

Look ‘em square in the eye like a poker player that won’t be bluffed.

Shove this blog across the table at them and say:

I think this is you! You need to be thinking more, more, more in this mission field and not buying into the less, less, less.

OR if it’s YOU in the 3…5…7 year (or less) landing pattern…

It might be an even harder leadership challenge to look yourself in the mirror and refuse to blink and admit that it’s time to retool for a next season (even into retirement) that could be surprisingly refreshing, energizing and fruitful!

It’s far from an emerging trend—yet!—but right now I can think of at least 7 or 8 pastors (and most times their spouses) looking to land in retirement in a few years charting new flight plans and:

Discipling “Christian consumers” toward mobilized “mission producers.”

Altering congregational trajectories.

Exercising simple hospitality with friendship and food in community where the Word of God is given permission to birth faith and change lives.

They’re FOCUSED and having fun.

And here’s what’s crazy: There are people half this crowd’s age who would give their left arm for what they possess:

Peace,

Wholeness with God,

Relationships that work,

…and a somewhat unflappable confidence in the face of hardship.

But they have no plans to sit in front of a pulpit to find it!

Blogging begets bluntness here.

To the “landing pattern” crowd! You won’t get there by yourselves. You just won’t be able to make the jump by yourself. You grew up with missionaries going to New Guinea or somewhere far! You won’t make the jump. You’ll get stuck in the pit. You’ll quit.

I know.

It’s like being a fruitful Daniel in Babylon after Judah.

…and you’ll wring your hands. Wish it were different. And as a result you’ll squander what might be your largest legacy in helping the Church set sail toward a new season of great mission vibrancy.

This is simple. It’s just not easy. If it were easy you’d already be doing it.

Finally, to the younger leaders! Got a “landing pattern” pastor or some others OR you’re in the landing pattern “crowd” yourself and you need to look yourself in the mirror?

Look at Discipleship to Missional Community.

Let Raechel know you’re thinking about PLI. No commitment. Just thinking.

Pray this week. And come back next week for part 2.

The world might be changing, but God’s Word will never change...

How does change happen? Even more importantly, how do churches evolve and adapt with the world’s changes?

The world has undergone a significant transformation, and churches have taken notice. There is no way to avoid dealing with it. The manner that w​e have conducted ministry in the past, which consisted of strategic planning that led to a large amount of programming based on perceived needs, does not appear to be effective any longer. A change must come about. Pinpointing exactly what needs to change is the challenging part. This is partly because the particulars of what needs to change differ from one church to the next.

However, in order for a congregation to adapt to an ever-changing world, it requires leadership within the church to adapt. This is best accomplished with Christian leadership training. Adapting to the changes of the world is not going to be easy but leadership training will help you in numerous ways. One of the biggest things to learn with leadership training is that it starts with listening.

The Power of Listening

All too often, church leaders forget to listen before starting new programs or strategies. It's one thing to implement these programs and strategies but is it what’s really best? Have you talked to the congregation about it? More importantly, have you talked to God about it?

The efficacy of a leader in other areas of leadership is greatly impacted by communication, which is a crucial component of church leadership. When we talk about communication, we do not just mean passing along information; we also mean exchanging it, therefore effective listeners must also be leaders.

Whether you are a seasoned church leader or a potential church leader seeking guidance, enrolling in Christian leadership training will help you succeed in strengthening your leadership skills, especially in the ever-changing world we live in today. Here are a few tips to help you respond to the rapid changes of the world as they impact the church.

Recognize and acknowledge the changes

The year is not 1970 or 2000; it's not even 2023 yet. The world has undergone significant changes and you cannot just act like you are oblivious to it, especially when the changes are impacting members. Ask God to assist you in adjusting to the changes and help members adjust as well so that the congregation can spread the gospel more effectively.

Maintain the church's external focus

If we are gazing outwardly in obedience, God will uphold us and guide us through trying circumstances and into unfamiliar lands.

Remain informed

Keep informed even when you cannot read or listen to everything. Use a variety of news sources. that provide information about the world as it pertains to matters of the church, ranging from taxpayer dollars to new government laws put into place.

Collaborate with your church's leaders of change

Spend quality time with the leaders who will stand by your side through these turbulent times of change, even if you must provide pastoral care to every member of your church. You can no longer afford to appease stubborn churchgoers who are slowing up the entire congregation.

Rethink your church's spending plan

The changes in the world today necessitates that we reconsider how we employ the tools that God has provided for us. All options must be on the table. Every church should create a zero-based budget with no prior ideas about how God's resources should be used (at least to the greatest extent possible).

Be prepared to lose members

Sadly, some members will only give their support if the church carries out ministry in the same manner as it always has, or at the very least, the way the members desire. You cannot allow the church to be held back by selfish people.

Don’t stress over failure

You will undoubtedly make some errors, but you cannot allow your church's progress to be slowed down by your fear of failure. Pray as things change. Avoid making foolish decisions in the name of change but act swiftly and take the necessary action. Keep in mind the instructions God gave to Joshua: "Be strong and courageous. Be neither terrified nor disheartened. Because wherever you go, the Lord your God is with you.” (Joshua 1:9).

Hold on to God’s Unchanging Word, Despite the Ever-Changing World

Our planet has experienced many difficulties throughout history, which have changed things, affected people's lives, and led to both heartache and success. But throughout it all, God remained the same. Our reaction must be profound yet straightforward: Trust God and act quickly in his strength.

By exercising influence, providing moral support, and demonstrating empathy, church leadership serves other members, volunteers, and the community for Christ. Church leadership is about participating in the life of the church and making a difference, not just holding a position of authority. No matter the changes or how difficult the going gets, it is the appropriate church leaders who enable the church's community to continue fulfilling its mission. Making these adjustments successful is greatly influenced by the leadership position in the church.  

The PLI Leadership Essentials Learning Community offers both men and women a secure environment in which to learn and apply the fundamentals of Godly leadership. These women and men are aware that in order to bring about the alignment of people and procedures around the realization of God's plan for His Church, loving yet courageous leadership is required.

Following Traits Can Make a Leader Ready for the Congregation  

God's Servant

A church leader must first serve God before serving their parishioners. Jesus Christ, who offered his life in the name of the Lord to save others, is the finest illustration of this kind of leader. While this is an extreme example of servant leadership that cannot be replicated, Jesus's other deeds and teachings continue to demonstrate the behavior and treatment that servant leaders must exhibit toward their people. Jesus is renowned for his kindness toward his devotees. Jesus' example helped his disciples achieve greater heights than they had previously imagined possible. A church leader who is truly a servant may accomplish the same.

Good Listener

The needs of their congregation will be heard by a genuine servant leader. Between hearing and listening, there is a distinction. Servant leaders will take the time to hear their parishioners out and find out what they need. They ought to be listening with the intention of serving and healing others as they guide them through the different difficulties of life. A church leader stands out from other people because of their unselfish listening.

Understanding

Servant leaders will identify with their followers' suffering and anxiety. Church leaders can thus operate in a way that brings them the closest to God. Offering your employees an immediate remedy is not the definition of empathy. Being at peace with their issues and hardships is the goal. Only then will you be able to win their confidence and support. It inspires people to believe in you as well as the church as a whole and its mission.

Healer

A servant leader's primary responsibility is healing. Servant leaders in the church may utilize their own abilities to connect and assist their congregation in recovering from loss and fear whenever possible, even if no one can heal people in the same way as Jesus. It can be done by sharing the deep wisdom learned from the Holy Bible or by using personal stories and a feeling of comprehension. Leadership in the church is about considering the entire. As a church leader, it is your duty to see to it that the congregation and the church remain strong and whole.

Self-Awareness

Church leaders shouldn't let their personal mistakes and anxieties rule them and have an impact on how they interact with others. Church leaders who are self-aware can better control their emotions when presented with challenges that could otherwise overwhelm them. In this way, Jesus demonstrated his servant leadership once more. Even though developing his awareness was the most difficult task he had to undertake, Jesus took the time to do it.

Effective

No one could speak with the power that Jesus did, but he utilized his words and deeds to influence the crowds, not demanding that they believe in him as the Son of God or follow him. Use persuasion rather than force to influence your people if you want to be a servant leader. It matters what tone a religious leader uses while addressing the congregation. They ought to have a sense of relaxation and calm when they listen to him. The strategy should be one of assistance and advice rather than of power or command.

Experience

Being a servant leader requires you to be able to foresee outcomes. When members of the church place their trust in you, they want to be sure that you have the expertise and knowledge necessary to guide them in the proper direction. You will learn from your past errors as a church leader and create better strategies to help your congregation. One of the primary reasons congregations frequently select elders for positions of church leadership is because of this. They have credibility while speaking, have experience, and can win over members' confidence.

Committed  

As a church leader, it is your duty to assist every member of your congregation in making it to paradise. Those who stumble must trust that you will catch them when required. No matter how long it takes, as a servant leader, you must be dedicated to assisting your entire congregation in fulfilling their destiny. As people come up to you, make sure you're open to them. They should get the impression that you are dedicated to helping them. Again, your commitment merely means you'll listen and direct them in the proper direction. It does not suggest that you can instantaneously cure every problem.

PLI alumni have been hosting Regional Catalyst Events for us in their areas, giving members of the PLI team a chance to listen and talk with people. (We shared some of our discoveries a few weeks ago.) Again and again, we see folks leave church every Sunday knowing they are “Now Entering the Mission Field,” but they don’t know how and they don’t know what because no one has trained them (discipled them) for the mission field.

So…big surprise…they don’t do anything.

And, that’s not fair! It doesn’t need to be that way. And I’m feeling some urgency here. The Church needs to discover a new path and take action now!

So let’s talk about 1,000 Young Leaders and Multipli’s Genesis Leader. Both can train people for the mission field. So what’s the difference between the two? They’re similar, but also unique.

Both are fully online!

A 15-minute memorable weekly teaching that you can watch any time.

A 75-minute weekly discipleship huddle group full of insight, encouragement and challenge, coached by alumni of PLI.

A “put into practice” action each week that builds skill, aptitude, faith and capacity.

1,000 Young Leaders is aimed at young adults 21-36 who want to change their generation. It’s 2-3 hours per week for 10 months, and $50 per month.

Genesis Leader is designed and delivered by our partner ministry Multipli. It’s for women and men of any age. It’s 2-3 hours per week for 9 months, and $50 per month.

So here are 10 reasons why you should pick 10 people and invite them to click the “I’m interested button!”

Nothing comes easy for you as a leader these days. Pointing people to 1,000 Young Leaders and Multipli’s Genesis Leader is easy. And a win. It can be an early win in a 2022 “solution” direction.

You’ll start creating a broad group of solution makers.

Whole communities of people are saying “no” to “Come to my church.” What was fruitful a few short years ago doesn’t work today. You need a new approach.

Jesus attracted crowds but always discipled the few to reach the many. PLI gives you a start down the practical path of discipling the few.

“Let’s not do anything to address our overwhelming challenges and wait until next year and hope for the best” is not a good plan.

It has to start with a few scouts who can report back to inspire the rest of the group.

A survival mentality is gripping our churches and crushing the spirit to dream and imagine and follow Jesus! We need to do more than just survive.

The last two years demonstrated that people are discipled more in the ways of CNN and Fox News than in the words and ways of Jesus. Your first 10 people will start to change that reality.

You need some easy, early wins in the pathway forward. This is it!

You only know the “attract” and “assimilate” model. This will start to shift the culture.

Now, your 10 people. You’re going to invite them. Encourage them. Challenge them.

They’re your best.

Some unlikely ones.

Make sure you stretch to invite some in their 20s and 30s, even if they’re no longer in your church.

You believe in them and want the best for them.

They love the Lord and marvel in His grace.

They know God wants them to do something in our dark world but they don’t know how.

Most likely they are concerned about the vibrancy of the church into the future.

And after you invite them to 1,000 Young Leaders or Multipli’s Genesis Leader, don’t be afraid to follow up and listen and encourage. Our experience is that if you get a few started this month, you’ll have motivated champions who will invite others a few months from now. If you get no one now, you’ll still have no one in your broad group of solution makers a year from now. It has to start with a few pioneers.

Last week I shared 10 reasons you should invite 10 people to check out 1,000 Young Leaders and Multipli’s Genesis Leader. I want you to think about those 10 people for a moment. Send them a text, or give them a call. Tell them what you see in them. Listen to what they say. Encourage them. And share these 3 reasons that they should click the “I’m Interested” button.

These reasons are simply things we’ve heard from people a few steps further into the journey, who are enrolled in or have recently completed 1,000 Young Leaders or our companion Multipli’s Genesis Leader.

I’m ready for the mission field.

I always read “entering the mission field” when I left church. Now, I’m actually trained to enter it. The world is still a dark place, but I have tools and a vision to be used by God. Before, all I knew to do was to invite people to come to my church service. And, my unbelieving friends aren’t interested in that invitation!

The weekly discipleship huddle.

I wasn’t sure. Now, I never let anything interfere. It’s too good to miss. It is so good to be together with other like-minded Christians across the country sharing life each week. It stretched us, but the small, weekly, “put into practice” assignments have given us confidence! Made us resilient in a way we’ve never known.

It’s changed my life.

I’ve grown so much in in my own relationship with Jesus. I discovered that I have a story to tell and that God has been a profound part of my story. I’ve learned to always watch because I never know what God will do next. Before… I was involved in lots of things but never on “purpose.” Now I know my purpose. I have clarity in my personal life mission. I have more freedom and more time than I’ve ever had before!

SO… A WORD TO THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS INVITATION!

Here’s what I know!

The fact that you received this from your pastor or from someone else is a great complement. She/he believes in you! Knows your heart enough to know that this might transform your life in fulfilling ways you’ve never imagined.

1,000 Young Leaders is aimed at young adults ages 21-36 who want to change their generation. It’s 2-3 hours per week for 10 months, and costs $50 per month.

Genesis Leader is designed and delivered by our partner ministry Multipli for women and men of any age. It’s 2-3 hours per week for 9 months, and costs $50 per month.

Similar but unique. Both fully online!

A 15-minute memorable weekly teaching. Any time.

A 75-minute weekly discipleship huddle group full of insight, encouragement and challenge.

A “put into practice” each week that builds skill, aptitude, faith and capacity.

You’ll love it, and they both start soon!

So, push the “I’m interested” button:

I’m interested in 1,000 Young Leaders!

I’m interested in Genesis Leader!

What I know? You’ll need to talk to someone just to gain clarity and get answers to your questions. So, if you pushed the button, someone will get in touch with you.

Please allow me to use this space to do more of an update about PLI and its work than I would usually do in this space!

Last week, PLI was training in:

Ghana with our first trained trainer from Uganda on the team! That means this leader has been through a Learning Community and then trained to now train others just beginning their journey.

South Korea, where PLI’s international training first began 20 years ago, when we didn’t know what we didn’t know, nor did we know what would be on the horizon in 2022!

Des Moines, Iowa, with mostly young pastors and spouses from the upper Midwest building capacity for how to disciple the few to reach the many…together.

Cleveland, Ohio, with mostly church teams cementing rhythms of discipleship in a transformative way.

The week before, we were in Chicago, Illinois with PLI’s first bilingual learning community!

And, as we speak/read, Tod Bolsinger, author of Canoeing the Mountains, is about to finish teaching in the new Senior Leader cohort starting this week.

As we celebrate God’s work in all these places, we’re also celebrating His work in Ethiopia!

As we shared last month, the Kale Heywet Church of Ethiopia has a vision of reaching 10 million people through each member sharing the Gospel with one or more persons, and of each of its 10,000 churches starting a new church. PLI has been invited to train the 10,000 new pastors, evangelists, and their spouses who will be needed by those new churches…all by 2028!

In addition to these things, we are excited to announce that Rika Beckly has joined the PLI team as National Director of Donor Engagement.

Rika brings an extensive development background primarily in higher education, most recently at Miami University in Ohio as Senior Director of Development! She has consulted with a variety of nonprofits in coaching advancement staff, executing capital campaigns and shaping endowment initiatives.

Rika is excited to integrate her depth of faith with her development expertise in advancing PLI’s vision of accelerating a movement of the Gospel by training 30,000 leaders to start new evangelistic communities.

A Final Word

One of the distinct aspects of PLI is that most people who’ve been blessed by the PLI family give back to the PLI family. Scan back over the updates here and find a place to be a blessing!

Invite a leader forward to a new Learning Community.

Invite to a Spanish-English Learning Community in particular.

Invite your church’s mission budget or you yourself to help fund the training of leaders to reach 10 million people for Christ in Ethiopia!  

Most ministry leaders are not well known outside their local setting.

Their fame is not widely traveled. Their stature is the product of wise decisions and godly behavior. They lead with character. They live with hope. They set their sights on what needs to get done…even when it’s difficult. No excuses! Just simple resolve.

They shake hands with discouragement from time to time. They have an ear tuned to the prompting of the Spirit. They forgive and they remember that they’re forgiven. They dismiss celebrity. They still champion the living out of the mission of God when most do not.

Simply put, they are important but little-known outside their local context.

Lots of churches are blessed with this type of leader.

I’m going to guess that you might be this type of leader yourself. If I’m right, thanks… Seriously, thanks!

So, what if…

The “little-knowns” learned to invest themselves in several others?

The “little-knowns” were trained to do it with new hope and new courage?

The multiplication of “little-knowns” changed the mission landscape of lots of churches?

Our collective past has signaled:

It’s the crowds that count.

Crowds can lead to becoming “better-knowns.”

Addition adds to crowds! The significance of multiplication is often overlooked. Its product is perceived as too slow!

Nothing wrong with large crowds, right? They’re a cause for celebration, right? PLI is being blessed with large numbers!

…It’s just that lots of “little-knowns” are dismissing the discipling leverage that results in surprising significance!

The future of the church in the United States hinges on lots of “little-knowns” who can “hear these words of mine and put them into practice” (Matthew 7:24) in their communities and congregations. Congregations large and small.

This simple tilt would result in breakthroughs for congregations that seldom celebrate the movement of God.

And the Gospel would pour into pockets and places around us that struggle in its absence.

It’s simple!

Jesus offered a simple invitation: “Come, follow me,” to some “little known” fishermen (Mark 1:17).

Leading is done for the community's good and to bring it together. A leader serves as the conduit between the community and the Almighty. It is crucial for a leader to comprehend God and His will. A leader inspires followers to serve God and the common good because God has provided sufficient examples and qualities to help one become a great leader.

The purpose of PLI leadership is to raise communal knowledge of God. They are preparing for leadership roles and want to serve the neighborhood. Making our names recognized is not the goal of leadership. It's about spreading the word of God, being able to love and respect the people under our care, and exercising the power that has been entrusted to us in a gracious manner. Let's look at some of the ways that God may help and direct you to become a better leader.

Ways God Can Help to Make a Better Leader

Being a Servant

Leadership requires service, according to what Jesus said. We may use this useful knowledge in our daily life. In our current culture, believer-leaders who followed God's command to serve and love others have played a significant role in popularizing the concept of servant leadership.  

Integrity is possibly the most crucial trait for a servant leader. It serves as the cornerstone upon which all other leadership attributes are constructed. Our behaviors should be consistent with our beliefs because Jesus invites us to walk in the ways of righteousness and fairness. If we are sincere servant leaders, we cannot use deceit, deception, and manipulation to gain power. Being honest is what we are asked to do, something very unusual and totally against the grain.

Humility

You must adorn yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience because God selected you to be the holy people He loves. Jesus lived His entire life by these principles; thus, it is crucial for the leaders to adopt them in order to walk in His footsteps. If we are not careful, we may develop arrogance since it is simple to grow dependent on the authority and power that come with leadership positions. Since we are aware of the dignity and worth of the people we lead, Christian leadership requires us to be open to listening to and learning from them. A leader is someone who has created room for themself to benefit from the knowledge and insights of others.

Flexibility

Godly leaders are adaptable; They are willing to change as necessary to fit their circumstances and surroundings. They are aware that life might provide them with unforeseen circumstances or difficulties. But servant leaders understand that God is present in every situation, so they don't let those unexpected circumstances trigger rage, perplexity, or terror. They are prepared to put flexibility into practice and proactively welcome change. It might be simple to become stuck in old habits and a single method of operating. But in order to effectively lead others, a servant leader must be able to see change for what it is—an opportunity for development and faith.

Stability

Only by looking to Jesus can we experience resilience in the Christian life. We will always fall short if we rely solely on our own abilities and power; we will give up in the middle of the race. A trait that develops when you practice spiritual endurance to the point where you thrive under pressure. God's continual presence gives us consolation in the face of life's difficulties. He doesn't always make our situation better, and sometimes the answer doesn't come when we want, but He will always support us in getting through with love, strength, patience, and other qualities.

Being Selfless

Consider others before yourself while making decisions, as the Lord did. By demonstrating your real concern for your followers' well-being, you will earn their respect and appreciation. Lead with the intention of enhancing the lives of others rather than leading for your own benefit or recognition. Only then can you truly capture the interest of your followers and hope that they embrace you as their leader. It is impossible to become a successful leader by following your own interests or those of others.

Speak Love and Truth

Let the Holy Spirit direct your movements, decisions, and speech. Speak the truth in humility, gentleness, and love; the truth won't transform people's lives until then. Additionally, it's critical to listen with compassion and love. To demonstrate their concern and provide helpful criticism, leaders must master the extraordinary art of listening. Be a leader who leads with love in whatever you do.   Learn from Jesus, the World's Best Leader

The fulfillment of your followers must be your first priority as a leader, just like it was for Jesus. The goal of leadership is to uplift others under your care, not to brag about how terrific you are. Without needlessly pressuring others, you may be fully conscious of your position as a leader. If necessary, be prepared to provide services for your followers to demonstrate that your top priority is their success. They'll show you their respect, loyalty, and trust in return.

Leading is challenging. The complexities and difficulties on the path to leadership are immense. It can frequently seem like navigating the boat while whitewater rafting: making difficult decisions, handling criticism, assisting people in reimagining the future, taking chances, speaking consistently with tact and wisdom, and gaining widespread support. However, leading is the finest method to discover God.  

Those who strive to find God are frequently referred to as spiritual leaders. As a result, spiritual leadership seeks to help others know God and honor Him in whatever they do. In order for others to praise God, which is the ultimate purpose of any spiritual leadership, they must first establish a relationship with him, and this can be achieved through prayer. As a result, they have the ability to increase community trust and spread awareness of God.

To become a leader who can assist the community in leading the pathway to God, PLI leadership offers the best advice. There are a few essential approaches in this blog that can assist a learning leader in discovering God.

Ways to Find God While Learning to Lead

Love

God is love, and the Holy Spirit that was given to us has poured forth God's love into our hearts. One cannot overemphasize the importance of expressing the strength and effect of God's love. Jesus alerted His followers that others would recognize them by their love. Every Christian and Christianity itself is based on love. Any leader who professes to be a Christian ought to be motivated in whatever they do by their love for God. May others see that leader's heart and intentions in this light.

Be Modest

God calls anyone with a haughty heart "an abomination." Being haughty does not serve to represent or show the interests of Christ. Instead, it is at odds with Christian authority. It is preferable to have a modest attitude toward the weak than to share the spoils with the arrogant.

Spiritual Strength

The moment Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane immediately before His arrest is one of the most stunning illustrations of this. Jesus was aware of all He would experience, including torturous whipping and crucifixion. Christian leaders can imitate Jesus by pursuing God for strength and understanding of His desire. For all Christians, growing in righteousness is a lifetime process, and leaders need to set aside time for spiritual development.

Motivation

Good leaders inspire others rather than deceiving or taking advantage of them. Nehemiah inspired the populace to rebuild Jerusalem's walls with courage. He presented a strategy, assured the people of God's presence, and sketched forth a vision for the future. We manipulate and abuse individuals when we move them for our own gain. However, we inspire individuals when we call them to a greater purpose.  

Self-Awareness

Because they cause conflict, dumb and uneducated arguments must be avoided by leaders. And a servant of the Lord must be kind to everyone and avoid conflict. A leader might strive to comprehend others' temperaments, appreciate their worries, encourage their ambitions, and ultimately find the path to God.

Following God’s Will

The Lord determines the course of action for a good leader after he seeks Him, commits to Him, and then makes a commitment to Him. When you want to live with a purpose-driven life by God, you must lay down your worldly life first. Although we may not fully comprehend what God is doing, we must believe that He wants the best for us. He has plans for us that go beyond our wildest dreams.  

The Bible provides us with different ways to live a life inspired by purpose. If you truly want materialistic things rather than pride and power, you should spend some time considering your priorities. Considering that nothing materialistic can be carried with us after death, concentrating on fleeting pleasures is pointless.

Give God’s Purpose to Life

We shall understand how to honor God in everything if we learn to live a life that is centered on God. We may live a life that is driven by the purpose for God in this way. When your only goal in life is to fulfill the wishes of God for those around you.

Follow your Heart

Allow God to direct your steps and believe in the dreams He gives you. Recognize that He will qualify you and trust that He will assist you in realizing whatever dreams He has set in your heart so that He may be exalted in the process.  

It’s no secret that the Church in the U.S. is struggling and declining; it’s been well-documented in many places. And it’s no secret that this places enormous pressures on pastors and their families and their congregations.

But…

What if much of what is happening in the church is a season of pruning?

And it’s a season of pruning for many of us as leaders and individuals within the community?

And what if…

God is cutting back branch after branch that bears no fruit in order to drive us—me—back to the Vine for provision and protection?

This pruning season is a season of character building for so many of us and for the Church as a whole?

This pruning kicks prop after prop out from under us so that we only have one Source to rely on?

We can discard so many things that have consumed energy and attention so that we can bear much fruit?

Concentrations of believers gathering in our church buildings are complemented by vibrant communities of believers who represent the Gospel outside our sanctuaries?

A season of pruning leads toward greater fruitfulness and wider influence and not less?

Furthermore, what if God is stirring in the hearts of both an old and a new generation of people? Stirring us to trust Him and listen to Him… To follow Him and participate in His work of carrying the Gospel to a deeply disoriented culture needing to experience the compassion of Christ through us…

Pruning is a hard season!

I understand it to be a gift…if I can see it that way!

Pruning builds character of faith. It brings humility and deals with pride. It leads to perseverance. It brings clarity and focus. It drives us to our knees. It makes us fit for God’s purpose.

Finally, pruning brings realism. We clearly realize that the vision God places in our hearts is impossible to accomplish on our own. We can’t do it.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

A wonderful, godly leader couple with their own small vineyard brought some enlightenment to my Midwest farm boy roots of corn and soybeans. There’s no pruning on the farm, but there is on a vineyard.

Pruning was never part of my vision frame in leading a congregation! I always wanted to see the graphs pointing up and to the right! Growth… more… better… new… And if we weren’t? Something was wrong and we needed to fix it.

It never occurred to me that we needed a season for pruning and that what needed to be fixed was in me and not in a program or ministry area.

I’m not sure I’d know how to lead a church or organization through a season of pruning other than starting with, “Maybe we should look more closely at John 15.” And, “What if this is a season of pruning so that God can more deeply draw us into the vine for greater fruitfulness?”

And, my best shot at leading would be to embrace the season of pruning for myself.

More and more I see that whatever I lead, it all starts with me, and me living and embracing it.  

…even when I’d rather just preach a sermon about it instead!

I don’t quickly recognize my own seasons of pruning. My natural reflex is to work harder, longer, call for greater commitment from the crowd, wrestle with my own sense of failing and even pull away from the Vine. It seems counter intuitive that we would be preparing for a season of fruitfulness by embracing a season of clipping and cutting back! However…

Across PLI, I see leaders who are masters at leading as servants.

They invest in relationships. They know it’s the currency with which they will lead long into the future.

They live, they speak, they lead with integrity. Depth of faith. Humility. What they say and what they do? They match.

Woven through both is the spirit of a servant.

Like Jesus! Coming not to be served but to serve.

Some of these folks carry high profiles. Who they are and what they do are known by many.

Many more are known in the local circles in which they lead and by those whose lives they influenced, but not beyond that. They’re content to faithfully lead as servants being used by God to change lives and eternal destinies.

Caleb, a young man in the upper Midwest.

“I want to form a group for guys like me who want to stay sober. A place to hang out. Share life. Help each other. Christians and not yet Christians. I’ve been sober for 18 months. God has redeemed my life. And my discipleship huddle in 1,000 Young Leaders is transforming my life.”

A servant leader!

Servant leaders have a unique way about them!

They’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of the mission.

They need little praise and recognition. They’re audience is One. And, that One counts!

They have an internal “motor” that knows they’ve been forgiven much, so the gift of grace is great.

They eschew personal comforts for Kingdom accomplishment.

They frequently pursue more difficult leadership pathways when easier ones are available to them.

And servant leaders? They attract others to follow, to participate in something greater than themselves.

Emmanuel, a bishop in Africa. He and his wife are investing themselves in training pastors and their spouses.

“Where PLI training has been, I see the church growing very fast. We had 2 young men be converted to Jesus and before they had been baptized, they had shared Jesus with others who came to faith and started a church!”

This is a bishop who’s willing to step down from his position to dedicate the next season of his life to training leaders full time for the church across the continent of Africa in PLI! A servant leader!

My guess? You’re that type of leader!

So, a simple word of thanks to you! You do it. You do it well. Not perfectly, but you do it well. You’ve tasted the Great Discouragement these days. Perhaps considered the Great Retirement. Maybe, but probably not the Great Resignation. (Let’s be honest: the effects of the pandemic are much farther reaching than we all imagined!)

So, to you I doubly commend a word of thanks.

It’s not easy to model a different path when people have been discipled more by culture and cable news than by the words and ways of Jesus.

Debbie, the wife of a pastor. She has the clarity of conviction to not be simply conformed to the will or the wishes of congregation members, but follows her passion to invest in the marginalized and those who always feel like they’re looking in from the outside. Operating deeply from the character God has formed in her and with the skills of a trained social worker, she invites the outsiders in and the abandoned to find adoption. And, along the way, some are found by Jesus. And, Debbie is willing to help you do the same. (Learn more about the Art of Invitation and contact Debbie today.) A servant leader!

So, my question to you: Is it time to take a “next step” in lifting your Servant Leadership, your character and your competency?

Let’s be honest. Even the best of us feel a little tired and isolated.

Raechel is waiting to talk to you today! She’s eager to help you figure out how PLI can best walk alongside you and put a fresh spring in your step and leadership tools in your hands. Tools like:

Senior Leader – starting soon – gives you the tools to multiply kingdom impact of larger ministries.

Discipleship to Missional Community – starting soon – guides you in launching and multiplying new communities of believers.

Leadership Essentials – starting in spring 2023 – lays a leadership foundation, because it matters what you build on.

Or better yet, in addition to one of those Learning Communities, gather of 5 or 10 of the people in your congregation and encourage them to join:

1,000 Young Leaders – For those in their 20s and 30s who want to reach their own generation.

Multipli’s Genesis Leader – For those who know that it’s just not fair to be sent into the mission field but never trained for the mission field.

And an Incredible Opportunity

Last week I shared some recent discoveries.

And, I asked you to watch for this week’s announcement and invitation to help!

The Christian Church in Africa is booming!

The center of global Christianity continues to march across northern Africa.

Remember the eunuch of Ethiopia and Phillip?

Earlier this month, we presented the PLI Board with an amazing invitation from Ethiopia! We’ve been training pastors and spouses in Mekane Yesus and Kale Heywet church bodies for many years. Both are growing rapidly. Both are great partners with great leadership. Both have 10 million members. Under Rev. Dr. Scott Rische’s leadership, these relationships have flourished.

Since 2017, we’ve been privileged to train over 100 from Kale Heywet in Ethiopia senior leaders in PLI’s Leadership Essentials!

The vibrancy of the Christian church in Ethiopia is unique!

Tempered and resolute from severe persecution during the Red Terror several decades ago

A barrier to the spread of Islam to eastern Africa

A missionary-sending hotbed to the United States and much of the rest of the world

Here’s the challenge, and the invitation.

The 100th anniversary vision of the Kale Heywet church by 2028 is:

Each of the 10 million members reach at least one more

Each of the 10,000 churches start one more church

Each church raise up one more pastor to lead the 10,000 new churches

The invitation? That PLI, over the next 6 years, provide the foundational leadership training for these 20,000 leaders (pastors and spouses). A new generation of leaders that are kingdom-minded, Christ-like, and evangelism and discipleship focused

“In 100 years, we have never had the kind of quality and transformational training that PLI provides. It is unique to anything we have ever seen.”

So, would you help us?

It will cost “only” $66,000 per year to provide the training resources for 20,000 leaders plus the added staff to support the training.

If your heart beats for foreign missions, consider…

Introducing PLI to other generous people like yourselves who are invested in foreign mission work.

Approaching your congregation as it plans its new budget year.

A multiple year commitment to this project above your current support of PLI.

We recognize that this request does not stir everyone. Some of you care most about:

PLI’s training of U.S. pastors and spouses and the challenge facing the North American Church.

PLI’s 1,000 Young Leaders training young adults to reach their own generation. (Remember you can request a media kit to promote 1,000 Young Leaders in your congregation.)

The launch of Multipli, because you recognize that the future of the church is not only an “attract and assimilate” model but also a “disciple and send” model.

Are you ready to be challenged?

There are no surprises in this crowd that the North American model of church is increasingly exhausting its leaders and risks being ineffective in reaching its community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Share with your leaders that the church in Africa is growing! The context is different. So many things are different. But we have much to learn from our brothers and sisters being used by God in Ethiopia or elsewhere!

Late this summer we began partnering with leaders in the PLI family to host regional catalyst gatherings. Church leaders have been bringing:

Formal and informal leaders

Young adults who hold the keys to reaching the millennial and Gen Z generations

People of any age who

Know the world is a dark place.

Know they should do something (more/different…something).

But they don’t know how.

And, they don’t know what.

So, they don’t do anything.

Basically addressing:

Why did we lose so many members through Covid?

Why is the western church model that we just know as “church” exhausting our leaders and increasingly ineffective at impacting our communities?

Why it is critical that our churches, and some of their people, can gain some early “wins” in marking a new, vibrant path forward.

And, maybe most importantly, offering some practical, simple steps forward.

We just finished gatherings in Appleton, WI, Palestine, IL, Holdrege, NE, and Mission, KS. Sioux Falls, SD, is coming in a few weeks.

We’ve discovered a few things:

Pastors and their formal/informal leaders need some common language and understanding of the scope of the challenge.

Hope and courage show up around the Word of God in community.

Everybody needs some short term “wins” to fuel the long road ahead.

1,000 Young Leaders and Multipli’s Genesis Leader are showing up with testimonies of transformed lives and real mission impact.

If you’re in the PLI family and if you’re interested in hosting one of these gatherings, please let us know.

Next week, be sure to read the ENews. I want to share an absolutely amazing development in our training in Africa!

But today…a thank you to Matt Hewitt.

Almost five years ago, Matt Hewitt joined our team as Chief Financial Officer. Matt and his Twin Cities congregation had participated in the first Discipleship to Missional Community. Matt has accepted a call to Pathfinder Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Obviously, we’re sad to see Matt leave, but more importantly we’d like to invite you to join us in saying thanks to Matt. Matt has revolutionized data systems across PLI. He’s aligned and automated registration processes. He’s provided counsel for interfacing with PLI’s 1,000 Young Leaders and PLI’s companion ministry Multipli. All while working with accountants, auditors, etc., etc. Some of you have experienced Matt as a trainer and coach in our learning communities and can speak personally of the ways he lives out his faith in his family, neighborhood and congregation.

Whether woman or man, baptized or clergy, you most likely align with one of these two:

NEW, YOUNG LEADERS

You’re new to the leadership thing. Younger. Newer. Short track record. Genuine. You’re eager…or reluctant. You’ve been… Elected. Called. Nominated. Recruited. Convinced. Whatever! (You might be a 1,000 Young Leader.) Your eye is likely on the mission of God. You know that the Father in heaven is a missionary God. He sent Jesus to reconcile a lost and dying world to Himself. And, He plans to use you.

SEASONED, WELL-EXPERIENCED LEADERS

You’ve been leading…maybe for decades. You’ve served well. You’ve led through good times and difficult times. You’re not without your faults. You’ve had your share of disappointments, too. You’ve watched the Spirit work through the Word in people’s lives. You’ve lost sleep leading. You’ve just never forgotten that God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

A WORD TO THE SEASONED, WELL-EXPERIENCED LEADERS

Simply put, fewer and fewer people know or value what you’ve done or accomplished. (A what-have-you-done-for-me-lately thing.) Like Joseph and his legacy in Egypt among the kings. Milestones. Celebrations. People who came to faith. Lives amazingly transformed. Don’t ever think that your faithful leadership hasn’t counted.

Add to that: You probably feel a bit out of step. The sea of change in our culture where ¾’s of Americans place little value on the church—definitely on “going to church”—has wearied you. Things that used to “work” no longer do.

So, three words to you:

THANKS – You’ve made more sacrifices than anyone will ever know. Your spouse and family likely did, too. (Thank them.) Thanks for what you’ve done in front of crowds, and alone in the integrity of your own life. Thanks for taking on the hard stuff for the sake of the mission.

PIONEER – The church is in crisis in the U.S. Most are deceiving themselves that it’s bad, but just not that bad. Have you read our vision for a vibrant 2030 church to emerge as much of the established church we’ve known, and invested in, evaporates? It may stir you or grieve you. Or both. You’ve got the credibility… to help guide the church into fresh directions. I see grandpas and grandmas concerned about their grandkids while they helplessly watch their great-grandkids being raised with no biblical foundations and no love of Jesus. They’re willing to make new sacrifices. Willing to take new risks. But they need someone to lead them. My guess? That’s you! Is it too much to ask you to learn a few new things? Particularly, how to invest in and disciple a few at a time who can do the same?

BLESS – Endorse. Create opportunity. For the newer, younger leaders to emerge. Tell them what you see in them. Tell them you believe in them. Do the same thing that some of the best of your mentors did for you years ago.

A WORD TO THE NEWER, YOUNGER LEADERS

There’s always a tendency to think…give the impression…that you know it all. God showed up when you showed up. Folks older than you just don’t understand. Now that you’re here we can do something important.

I made that mistake, a long time ago. New in a congregation. Fresh out of seminary. After overcoming some of my own initial fears of failing, our congregation experienced some rapid growth after a couple of decades of debilitating decline. It was arrogant on my part that I thought I might know more than the enormous godly, collected wisdom of so many of the other leaders in our congregation. Mistakenly I gave the impression to some that what they had done, the sacrifices they had made, the faithful service and the generous gifts they had offered, had not been that important. I had to repent. I would have been so much farther ahead had I affirmed all of their efforts, and repeatedly said “thanks.” Going forward we were able to build on what they had done.

If you missed our summer series, you can read some of my stories of early leadership here:

Time for Adventure and a Return to Learning

The Leadership Adventure Continues

Adventures in Relationships

Slaying the “It Won’t Work Here” Mindset

I Never Trained Anyone

So, three words to you younger leaders:

THANKS – By virtue of your Baptism you’ve been invited into the mission of God. No matter your role or your vocation. Thanks for investing yourself and your gifts in living out the mission of God.

PIONEER – The church is in crisis in the U.S. Help give birth to what God is doing next.

BLESS those who’ve gone before you, some of the seasoned leaders above. Listen to them. Learn from them. Invite them to invest in you. Build upon what they’ve done.

Two final words:

–PLI Senior Leader launches in October, helping leaders develop the skills to lead larger, more complex congregations and ministries that might be in your future. We’ve made some adjustments, so even if you’ve been through Senior Leader in the past, you may want to check it out again.

–Forward this to one of the “other” leaders above. Simply tell them what you see in them. They’ll be blessed.

Churches need leaders…

Because churches often don’t know what to do, and

Because they don’t know how to work together to do it!

Agree?

And, when leaders don’t know what to do…

They seek to gain clarity about who they are…personal vision, calling, gifting, passion, etc. Who are they as a child of God and what has God designed them to be/do?

They gain clarity about the mission of their church. Why has God placed them there in that community?

They invest in relationships with the people they lead. They build trust. They love the people they lead. They listen to their stories. They demonstrate integrity and competence.

Agree?

And also… they say “thank you!”

Saying Thank You!

That sounds simple, but it’s easily an early leadership mistake in times of great turmoil and change! We’re experiencing a “generation of change” every 18 months now! The scope of change around us that used to take 20 or 25 years, now sprints across our worlds every 18 months!

Not saying “thank you” was one of my early leadership mistakes.

Our congregation, when I was new and didn’t know much (but thought I knew more than I did) looked like this:

Urban, changing neighborhood. (Today it seems like every church everywhere is in one big changing neighborhood.)

The most recent 20 of its 125 years had been marked by steady and then steep decline.

Crisis created openness to change but the focus was organizational survival, not the mission of God.

Me? I was all about the future! Innovation. Getting focused on mission and reaching people. Getting people to engage the Word of God and capture the wonderful grace of God that inspires us to dedicate all of our lives in response to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Then came the moment of my big surprise! (If you listen, people will tell you!)

Somewhere I had learned that telling stories of peoples’ lives being changed was a great way to share and reinforce vision. So, I would share stories of new people. People who came to faith. People whose lives were being changed because of our folks reaching, serving, sacrificing, giving, etc.

But something wasn’t right. Many of our long-time members didn’t seem to share the joy.

We had a meeting. It was a listening meeting. 75 people. I think elders facilitated smaller groups. They came. They went. We debriefed.

The ever-so-kind translation of one of our leaders: “Pastor, everyone knows you’re excited about what God is doing, but we just want to know if you still love us? Do you care about all of us who’ve been around for decades?”

Among other things, my mistake was that I didn’t say “thank you” enough!

I cared. I loved. I listened, but now it was hard for people to say what they really wanted to say.

While there was plenty that needed “fixing” and there was no way we could have a future and live in the past, these were the folks that

Faithfully sacrificed

Faithfully served

Faithfully worshiped

Raised their children in the faith

Lived humble lives

Buried parents or spouses or children with the hope of the resurrection

….many of them for decades extending from generations before them!

And, in my “look to the future,” I had not fully honored our past, nor did I say thank you for it!

What about you?

For you as a leader today (or team of leaders), the rate of change has antiquated aspects of your ministry that not so long ago were vital and vibrant in living out the mission of God in your community.

And you are in the unfortunate position of needing to “disappoint the people you lead at a rate they can manage.” But while you’re doing that? Be sure to thank people! Love them. Listen to them.