Setting Goals For Your Staff in the New Year

Helping staff members set goals is one of the most important roles of a senior leader in the church. Setting goals helps align individual ministry efforts with the broader vision and mission of the church. It ensures that everyone is moving in the same direction and working towards common objectives. Clearly defined and agreed-upon goals provide a roadmap for the staff, leading to increased productivity. When individuals know what is expected of them and have specific targets to meet — targets you have approved — they are more likely to stay focused and accomplish tasks efficiently.

Goals create a sense of accountability and responsibility. Staff members are more likely to take ownership of their work when they have set specific goals. This accountability contributes to a more responsible and committed team. Working towards meaningful goals can be a powerful motivator. It instills a sense of purpose and accomplishment, fostering higher levels of engagement among staff members. Motivated and engaged individuals contribute positively to the overall atmosphere of the church.

Goal-setting facilitates communication and collaboration within the team. When everyone understands the objectives and expectations, communication is more effective, and collaboration becomes smoother, fostering a cohesive working environment.

Don’t miss the opportunity to help staff members set their own goals. Below are some tips to help you get started.

The G.O.S.T. Strategy

There are many methods of goal-setting, but I recommend the GOST, or Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Tactics technique. In this method, you (or your goal-setting staff member) start by listing bigger picture desired outcomes to accomplish, then get more specific about how to accomplish those goals all the way down to the measurable tactics that will help you be successful.

Goals

A goal is simply the big picture, aspirational thing to accomplish. Goals are typically barely attainable (make it so big, you’ll know that it was God who did it and not yourself). They should transcend your organization and rarely ever dramatically change. A well-defined goal should possess an inherent challenge, pushing the boundaries of the achievable. It is not merely a task to be completed but a journey to be undertaken, often stretching individuals or groups beyond their current capabilities. The very nature of a goal implies that its attainment demands effort, perseverance, and, at times, a touch of audacity. It's the big dream that beckons, urging one to reach higher and strive for ministry excellence. Goals should be closely tied to the mission of the church and there should probably be a goal for each broad area of a ministry. A goal should answer the question, “What’s a big, audacious outcome we want to accomplish with God’s help?”

An example of a church-wide goal might be:

Enhance community engagement in the upcoming year.

A ministry-specific goal might be:

See more students in our community come to faith in Jesus

Objectives

Objectives are more specific breakdowns of each goal. They are specific, measurable, and time-bound outcomes that serve as intermediate milestones toward the achievement of broader goals. While goals represent the overarching, aspirational vision, objectives break down this vision into tangible, manageable components. They provide a more detailed and concrete definition of what needs to be accomplished to make progress toward the larger goal.

Objectives are essentially the building blocks that contribute to the realization of a goal. They add precision to the strategic direction set by the goal by outlining the specific targets and benchmarks that need to be met within a specified timeframe. Objectives are designed to be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

For example, if the goal is to enhance community engagement within a church, an objective could be to increase attendance at community events by a certain percentage within the next year. This objective is specific in focusing on attendance, measurable through percentage metrics, achievable within a realistic scope, relevant to the broader goal of community engagement, and time-bound with a specified period of six months.

Or, if the goal is to see more students come to faith in Jesus, an objective might be to grow attendance in weekly youth gatherings to 250 each week.

In summary, objectives bridge the gap between the broad, overarching goals and the detailed implementation strategies. They provide a roadmap for progress, offering clear and measurable indicators that help track and assess the organization's advancement toward its ultimate vision.

They should answer the question, “What thing — if we can accomplish it — will help us reach the stated goal?”

You will likely have multiple objectives of each goal.

Strategies

In the hierarchy of organizational planning and execution, strategies represent the overarching plans and approaches designed to achieve specific objectives and, by extension, the broader goals. While objectives define the measurable milestones that contribute to goal attainment, strategies outline the high-level methods and tactics that guide how these objectives will be pursued.

Strategies provide the roadmap for deploying resources, managing activities, and coordinating efforts to address the challenges identified in the objectives. They involve making informed choices about the most effective and efficient ways to reach the specified targets. Strategies are characterized by their scope and general approach, offering a directional plan that aligns with the organization's mission and vision.

For instance, if the objective is to increase online engagement for a church community, a corresponding strategy could involve leveraging social media platforms, developing an interactive website, and creating compelling digital content. This strategic approach outlines the key avenues through which the organization will work to achieve the defined objectives, ultimately contributing to the realization of the overarching goals.

Or, if the objective is to increase attendance in weekly youth gatherings each week, a strategy might involve getting students to invite their friends.

In essence, strategies are the bridge between objectives and the concrete actions taken to implement them. They provide a conceptual framework for decision-making, resource allocation, and the coordination of efforts, ensuring that the organization is moving cohesively toward the fulfillment of its mission and vision.

Tactics

Tactics refer to the specific actions or methods employed to implement strategies and achieve defined objectives. While strategies provide the overarching plan, tactics are the practical, hands-on steps taken to execute that plan and make progress toward the intended goals.

Tactics are more granular and operational than strategies, involving the day-to-day activities and decisions that contribute to the successful implementation of broader strategic initiatives. They are the on-the-ground actions that teams and individuals take to bring the strategic plan to life. Tactical decisions are often based on the specific circumstances, resources, and opportunities present in the immediate context.

Continuing with the example of increasing online engagement for a church community, tactics could include creating a content calendar for social media posts, more actively responding to comments and messages, and employing search engine optimization (SEO) techniques for the church website. These specific, tangible activities represent the tactics employed to execute the higher-level strategy aimed at achieving the objective of enhanced online engagement.

Tactics for getting students to invite their friends might include the student pastor preaching on it once a month at youth meetings, providing invitation cards for them to use, big prize giveaways for students who invite the most friends, etc.

In summary, tactics are the practical, executable steps that contribute directly to the achievement of objectives and, by extension, the fulfillment of strategic goals. They are the detailed, often context-specific actions taken to ensure that the strategic plan is implemented effectively and efficiently.

Teaching Your Staff

Training staff members on setting Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics for the upcoming year requires a systematic and collaborative approach. Here are some steps a lead pastor might take to effectively train their staff:

Educate on Concepts:

Begin by providing a clear and concise overview of the concepts of Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Tactics. Ensure that everyone understands the distinctions between these elements and their hierarchical relationship.

Connect to Mission and Vision:

Emphasize the importance of aligning these planning elements with the mission and vision of the church. Help staff members see the interconnectedness between their individual and team goals and the overarching purpose of the organization.

Facilitate Goal-Setting Sessions:

Conduct interactive sessions where staff members can collaboratively set goals for the new year. Encourage them to think big and aspirationally while keeping the goals tied to the broader mission of the church.

Break Down Goals into Objectives:

Guide staff in breaking down their goals into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives. Assist them in identifying key milestones that will mark progress toward the larger goals.

Discuss Strategic Approaches:

Introduce the concept of strategies and facilitate discussions on different strategic approaches to achieve objectives. Encourage creativity and critical thinking about the most effective ways to address challenges and opportunities.

Work on Tactical Plans:

Dive into the practical details by helping staff members develop tactical plans. Discuss specific actions, timelines, and responsibilities. This can involve brainstorming sessions and collaborative planning to ensure a comprehensive and feasible approach.

Provide Resources and Training:

Equip staff members with the necessary resources and training to implement their tactical plans. This may include training on new tools, technologies, or skills that will support the execution of their plans.

Encourage Teamwork:

Foster an environment where staff members can share their goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics with each other. This promotes cross-functional understanding and potential synergies between different teams or departments.

Regular Check-Ins:

Establish a system for regular check-ins to monitor progress. These check-ins provide an opportunity to address challenges, celebrate successes, and make adjustments as needed.

Celebrate Achievements:

Recognize and celebrate achievements at both the tactical and strategic levels. This not only boosts morale but also reinforces the connection between individual efforts and the overall success of the church.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement:

Encourage a culture of feedback and continuous improvement. Regularly solicit input from staff members on the planning and execution processes, and use this feedback to refine future planning efforts.

By taking a systematic and collaborative approach to training, the lead pastor can empower staff members to actively participate in the planning process, fostering a sense of ownership and alignment with the church's mission and vision. You should notice an increased sense of productivity toward accomplishing the mutually agreed upon goals for the church.