What is the Pastoral Leadership Institue?

[TCat]

I am hearing about the PLI, I gather it's for pastors but what exactly is it? What do the pastors do, is it a school? My pastor's wife asked several of us to pray for individual couples, I am glad to pray but I don't know what the PLI is about.

[QuiltAngel]

Maybe this will help:

http://pli-leader.org/

[TCat]

Thank you for the link. I was beginning to wonder if the non-response was personal or if no one knew what PLI was about.
I am happy to continue praying for the minister and his wife and their ministry.

[RadMan]

I am hearing about the PLI, I gather it's for pastors but what exactly is it? What do the pastors do, is it a school? My pastor's wife asked several of us to pray for individual couples, I am glad to pray but I don't know what the PLI is about.It's a power, ego trip for pastors that want to be CEOs.

[filosofer]

Well, there might be other reasons, too. You know, like wanting to grow in being the best pastor possible, etc.


But don't let me spoil the parade. ;)

[RadMan]

Well, there might be other reasons, too. You know, like wanting to grow in being the best pastor possible, etc.


But don't let me spoil the parade. ;)

So what are you saying? That PLI is "alright"? Maybe I don't know the full implications of the training program.

[filosofer]

Well, I did host Steve Wagner for lunch this passed week, as well as listen to his presentation. Am I cautious? Yep. But I can also see benefits for pastors. It does not necessarily imply an ego/power trip for pastors.

[QuiltAngel]

My opinion on it is still out. Not sure what I think of it. There seems to be good aspects of it. Yet, it seems that those who do attend, tend to not be as confessional as many of us would like. I am not saying they are liberal per se, just lean that direction. I hope that makes sense.

[TCat]

The pastor and his wife that I met were very nice, humble, young and eager to fellowship and were looking forward to whatever training they were going to recieve that week. He is a Lutheran pastors son and they have 3 young children.

About 100 church members were asked to pray for individual couples for the week leading up to and including the week of training. We got to meet our couple and attend church with them on the first night of training.

I just wondered what it was about, like an extension to seminary? Fellowship with other pastors? or what?
Being a PK myself I know that there was a tendancy in my former denomination to veiw other chuches as competition, families were not much considered and pastors marriages were not considered at all.

My prayers for the couple I pray for are that God keep them humble, give them servants hearts, and their eyes always on Him. That their marriage and children florish and that the Holy Spirit keep the flame of passion for Christ and His Word burning brightly in them both.

[RadMan]

Well, I did host Steve Wagner for lunch this passed week, as well as listen to his presentation. Am I cautious? Yep. But I can also see benefits for pastors. It does not necessarily imply an ego/power trip for pastors.

I usually value your judgment but, besides what I pointed out, what are these benefits that you mention. I've read their page a few times and it seems to be vague.

[QuiltAngel]

This link from their site:
http://www.pli-leader.org/article.cfm?id=54
here is a synopsis of the emphasis:
http://www.plinstitute.org/about-pli/core-values

[TCat]

Again thanks for the links, seems like a good program to me, do all pastors attend such conferences? Do all LCMS pastors have mentor and accountiblity partners?

[QuiltAngel]

Not all Pastors attend such conferences. For PLI, I think you have to be selected. Now many Pastors do attend conferences and other events. My hubby has attended lots and will be attending one on worship and music next month. We have also attended some Clergy couple events for LCMS Pastors too.

As far as mentoring, I think there is something for the new guys now. Wasn't there 23 years ago though. Many Pastors do find at least one other that they can go to when they need to talk. Our circuit is great and we are good friends with one other clergy couple. We get together, the four of us at least once a month or however often our schedules will allow us.

[DaRev]

Again thanks for the links, seems like a good program to me, do all pastors attend such conferences? Do all LCMS pastors have mentor and accountiblity partners?

The jury is still out on PLI as far as I'm concerned. Personally, I want nothing to do with it. It seems to have a rather negative stigma attached to it.