Core Values
Every organization has some value system. Articulation of these values serves to remind constituents of their place and importance. The values are preeminent and therefore serve as an important screen in the consideration of strategic goals and related decision-making.
The special contribution the Pastoral Leadership Institute makes to the continuing education of those pastors who enroll is the assurance that their learning takes place in the context of the theological framework of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This is reflected in a document entitled: “An Overarching Rationale for PLI, Including Its Theological Foundation.” PLI will continue to embrace and teach from its stance.
PLI further holds the following values to be central to its essence.
1) Congregational-based learning
Pastors and their spouses are taught on the campuses of selected LCMS congregations. PLI believes that much can be learned by observing the facilities and the interfacing with the staffs of congregations where a facet of ministry is done excellently. The congregations selected must meet standards of excellence set by the PLI Board of Directors. In those congregations that are called “mentoring churches,” this would include having one or more signature ministries (most often one or more programs that are worthy of modeling in some ministry area of their congregational life). In those congregations called “conference churches,” it would include multiple signature ministries.
2) Experience-based with Mentoring Relationship
PLI is committed to the practice of having the more experienced pastors teaching the less experienced pastors, and serving as mentors to them. These mentor-pastors share what has and what has not worked in their settings. Each PLI pastor is able to develop a personal relationship with up to twelve mentors who will be open to an ongoing relationship over their ministry years. As a certain need for expertise arises they can approach the mentor who has the best experience needed at the time and expect to receive assistance and support. Out of this base of experience, personal and professional pitfalls can be warned against, and insight for positive results given.
3) Partnership of the pastor’s spouse (if he is married)
The relationship of a pastor and his spouse is highly important, if not critical, to the success of the pastor ministering in a growing and/or large congregation. Therefore, PLI is committed to including the wife of the married pastors in all major training events that are conducive to her learning alongside her husband. It also provides a support group known as a “Partners’ collegial group” which is committed to building relationships between the spouses, and assists them in giving support to one another.
4) Collegial Group Support and Accountability
All participants in PLI are divided into collegial groups of six or seven each for the full duration of the four years. The groups are utilized as discussion groups during the conferences, as accountability groups twice each year during mentoring events, and throughout the years as prayer support and encouragement groups.
5) International and Multiethnic Missional Consciousness
The reality of more and more neighborhoods changing from single to multiple ethnic groupings, coupled with the mandate of the Lord to “make disciples of all nations,” necessitates that LCMS pastors become missional-minded and sensitive to both worldwide and multicultural ministry. Although time at these events does not allow for any significant level of acculturation, exposure to international missions and stateside multiethnic ministries can plant a consciousness in each pastor to study the demographics of his home congregation’s community. He can then assess what needs to be considered for Great Commission outreach and, at the same time, encourage his congregation to be involved more intentionally through financial and personal involvement with the Synod’s mission to people groups around the world.