Let’s take a look at our previous example, but this time start by putting clear and measurable initiatives in place.
Goal: Grow our student ministry to a regular attendance of 75 students (10-week average)
Initiatives:
1. Call every first time guest within 48 hours of attending. (This will allow us to get feedback and make an immediate connection.)
2. Have every small group leader update rosters monthly. (This will help us make sure students aren’t falling through the cracks.)
3. Equip students with three business card invites and three social media images to use to invite their friends to church. Update quarterly.
4. Take strategic steps during our big summer event to connect first-time attendees with other students in the same season of life. (Through marketing, group placement, talking points, follow up, etc.)
In December, you sit down with your supervisor and team to evaluate the year. You only reached 67 students. Goal NOT achieved. Unlike before, now the conversation shifts toward appraising your initiatives. Did you complete your first initiative? Yes. Did you complete your second initiative? Not really, we started but never really followed up with group leaders. How about number three? Yes, sort of. We handed out the business cards, but never put together a social media strategy. What about the final initiative? No, never did anything with it.
Now the conversation shifts from, “What went wrong?” to “Why didn’t we complete these initiatives?” If you completed all initiatives and still did not achieve your goal then the problem lies in the effectiveness of your initiatives. At least you have a starting point for next year. Essentially, you are removing the independent variables from the equation and focusing on what you can control. If you look back at the first example, you will see how the initiatives to grow the student ministry can be executed despite all the other circumstances.
I’m convinced goals are better when supported by initiatives.
Take a look at your goals, and build out initiatives. See what you can accomplish if your steps strategically move you toward your goal.
