For the past few years I’ve had a love-hate relationship with goals. At times I feel like our Western culture is obsessed with them. They are often the tool used for increasing our own influence for personal gain. When this happens, we are furthering our own kingdom and not God’s.

As I am maturing though, I am learning that goals are like most tools—their purposes are at the whim of those who wield them. They can be used effectively for God’s kingdom or recklessly for our own. Although I am sometimes discouraged by how goals are used in our Christian community, I have found myself intent on redeeming them in my own life. When you take time to write your goals, spend some of that time asking God to search your heart for wrong motives and reveal to you areas you need to improve (Psalm 139).

The truth is that goals are vital to any ministry and any Christian. They keep our eyes fixed on the future so that we don’t get bogged down and trapped in the present. Just like we fix our eyes on Christ and work to become like Him, so we must also set goals for our lives and ministries and work hard to reach them. These goals will keep you on track to not only becoming more like Christ, but also on track to fulfilling more of the purposes that God has for you and your ministry.

Be sure to set personal goals and ministry goals separately. Goals should be clear, attainable, and time specific. Here are examples of how I have structured mine in the past:

1. Personal Goals (create two goals for each of the following categories)

• Physical
• Emotional/Mental
• Spiritual

2. Ministry Goals (create two goals for your children and two goals for your leaders for each category) 

         Membership

         Ways I would like to see more kids and leaders stick to the church and ministry

         Example:

         Kids: Have 15 new visitors accept Jesus as their Savior and stay at the church before the end of the year.

Leaders: Recruit and train 10 new leaders by the end of August.

        Maturity

Ways I would like to see kids and leaders grow and develop in their faith

Example:

Kids: Speak about the baptism of the Holy Spirit four times this year, and each time offer an opportunity for kids to be prayed for.

Leaders: Have every leader read at least one book I give them before the end of the year.

        Ministry

Ways I would like to get kids and leaders involved doing more ministry within the ministry

Example:

Kids: Have kids raise $3000 for missions this year through fundraising and other events

Leaders: Develop three other leaders who can creatively and clearly take on the large-group teaching responsibility, and have them each speak on two different occasions.

        Mission

Ways I would like to get kids and leaders into the larger community

Example:

Kids: Host a one-day summer missions event to get kids working in the community.

Leaders: Have leaders reach out and recruit two potential/prospective leaders from the larger church community.