Whether you are a New Year’s resolution type of person or not setting goals is an excellent way of moving your ministry forward. Goals are like mile markers along a route; they help you recognize your progress. The problem with goal setting is that it seems like an extra task on are already busy schedule. For some of us, setting goals is a reminder of our failures. No one likes to fail, and if we want to avoid it, then we need to avoid creating goals.
But, you can’t just cruise through ministry because your efforts will lose relevance and effectiveness. Instead of reaching people for Christ, your ministry will face a slow and painful death. While you could suck it up and set some goals if you haven’t been effective, then you might want to try changing your perspective and:
ANSWERING THE QUESTION, “WHAT WOULD IT TAKE?”
What would it look like if your ministry was running on all cylinders? What would it take for you to get there? Money? Labor? More time? One of the most significant issues we face when building a healthy ministry is that we either don’t dream big enough or think about the tangibles needed to make it happen. We stop short because we immediately tell ourselves, “That’ll never happen.” But, I’m here to ask you, “What would it take?” And, “Is God capable of making that happen?”
Next time you get a moment, think about the ideal ministry. Think about the people who would be a part of it. Think about the energy and answer that question, “What would it take?”
RALLYING EARLY ADOPTERS
You have a group of people in your parish who want you to succeed. You might not believe it, and that’s because you haven’t allowed them to invest in what you are doing. How do you find these people? You start by sharing with them the vision you have for your ministry. You talk about why serving the next generation matters to you. Discuss with them the realities of the bigger picture and the challenges that someone in your position faces.
It’s not an opportunity to lament but instead, inspire. After you share with them your passion, ask them to weigh into your words. Allow them to ask questions, even if you’ve heard them a million times, and don’t be afraid to answer with an “I don’t know.” You want them curious and interested in what you do because they might have the solutions or know where to go next. The early adopters are the people who are going to buy into your vision; you need to rally them together.
KEEPING RECORD OF WHAT YOU DO
You might not like setting goals, but maybe you are good at remembering what you’ve done. Track, record, and keep data. Look back at what you did, why you did it, and how you got there. Keeping a record is especially crucial for reoccurring programs or annual events. You’ll be able to review what went well and what you need to improve. If you don’t like to set goals or keep a record, recruit a volunteer to take notes and be a historian. When you get to planning, go over what they documented and use it to inform your decisions.
No matter the season, it’s healthy to think about improving and advancing your ministry. Setting goals might seem like an extra thing to do, but it’s worth the investment. A healthy ministry is a growing one, and goals are a big part of that.
How are you getting ready for the next season of ministry?
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