Church Goal Setting: Are You Listening?

Recent studies show we forget 50 percent of what we hear immediately, 80 percent within a day and 97 percent within a week.  So what’s the solution?  When you listen, make understanding your goal, and not just remembering facts.  Great learners are great listeners; that’s why they always have a flow of innovative and fresh ideas.  The truth is, you’ll never know how close you are to a breakthrough of a blessing until you learn to listen.  How many times have you thought that you need to spend more time listening to others?  When you set your goals for your church, have you listened to your members?

I remember once reading about a Supreme Court Justice who lost his train ticket.  As he searched for his ticket, the conductor said, “It’s okay, we know you and you can mail it in later. The supreme Court Justice replied, “I’m not concerned about finding my ticket, I just want to know where I’m going?”  As church leaders, you should continue to think about what you have heard from your members to know where the church is going! Are your goals clear enough, strong enough, and valuable enough to make a difference in your communities?

Leaders serve as important translators of ministry goals that can equip others, both spiritually and professionally.  If you are a good listener, how well-crafted are your church goals aligned with the mission that you have been called to accomplish?  What specific tasks will you perform in efforts of growing the church in a healthy direction?  Setting goals and communicating to the congregation can motivate them to help pursue their Godly mission! Think about 5 goals that you, as leaders, can set to create a culture of evangelism and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Other exciting goals to consider include increasing membership attendance, training new leaders, building a generous culture of increased tithing, connecting members to the community, and increasing volunteer participation.

As you continue to progress through this new year, church leaders, do not hesitate to contact the Virginia United Methodist Development Company to assist with your church strategic planning process.

As a United Methodist organization, we are available to serve all churches!  We understand and minister across our connection!  Remember: We Are Methodists Helping Methodists!