This might be a little late for your “Here’s our goals for 2010” sermon, but if not, here are four
essential things to consider before you announce any new plans, new ideas, or new goals.
Number One. Do your goals reflect a realistic assessment of your time, energy, and resources? You
as a pastor have only a certain amount of time, energy, and resources. Your church has only so much
time, energy, and resources. If you spread yourself or your volunteers too thin you’re asking for trouble.
Dave’s Rule #18: Never start something new, no matter how necessary or noble, unless you can do
so and not burn-out you or your volunteers. The hardest thing to do is to say no to a good idea, a real
need, or a great opportunity. But you must say no, or at least “wait”, if you really don’t have the time,
energy, or resources.
Number Two: How will you know if your inspiration, i.e. the idea you have, is a result of boredom,
desperation, or the Holy Spirit? Sometimes our ideas stem from boredom. Sometimes our goals are
the product of desperation. And sometimes, hopefully most of the time, our vision is from the Holy
Spirit. Dave’s Rule #32: Never underestimate your ability to confuse boredom or desperation for
inspiration.
Number Three: Ask yourself: once my plan is well-planned, what will be my plan for casting and
communicating the plan, idea, or vision? Often pastors spend all their time planning their plan and
little if any time thinking through the best way to communicate the plan/vision. When communicating a
plan remember three things: 1) You’ve been working on this for weeks. Don’t be surprised if they don’t
jump up and down immediately. 2) There are more ways to communicate vision than just through you
on Sunday morning. Think up at least five ways that you will pass on your idea. 3) Be clear. Dave’s
Rule #7: Never underestimate your ability to be vague and all the while think you are being clear.
Number Four: Get a year-at-a-glance calendar to see the big picture and schedule out the year in a
intelligent and balanced manner. When planning future events: an outreach, a new small group, a
seminar, etc. you want to avoid one thing bumping up against another. If you have too many special
projects planned, and if they are too close to each other you are probably heading for a headache. A
year-at-a-glance calendar helps us get a visual on the year and space our ideas/goals/plans in such a
way that makes our year balanced and comfortable to manage.
essential things to consider before you announce any new plans, new ideas, or new goals.
Number One. Do your goals reflect a realistic assessment of your time, energy, and resources? You
as a pastor have only a certain amount of time, energy, and resources. Your church has only so much
time, energy, and resources. If you spread yourself or your volunteers too thin you’re asking for trouble.
Dave’s Rule #18: Never start something new, no matter how necessary or noble, unless you can do
so and not burn-out you or your volunteers. The hardest thing to do is to say no to a good idea, a real
need, or a great opportunity. But you must say no, or at least “wait”, if you really don’t have the time,
energy, or resources.
Number Two: How will you know if your inspiration, i.e. the idea you have, is a result of boredom,
desperation, or the Holy Spirit? Sometimes our ideas stem from boredom. Sometimes our goals are
the product of desperation. And sometimes, hopefully most of the time, our vision is from the Holy
Spirit. Dave’s Rule #32: Never underestimate your ability to confuse boredom or desperation for
inspiration.
Number Three: Ask yourself: once my plan is well-planned, what will be my plan for casting and
communicating the plan, idea, or vision? Often pastors spend all their time planning their plan and
little if any time thinking through the best way to communicate the plan/vision. When communicating a
plan remember three things: 1) You’ve been working on this for weeks. Don’t be surprised if they don’t
jump up and down immediately. 2) There are more ways to communicate vision than just through you
on Sunday morning. Think up at least five ways that you will pass on your idea. 3) Be clear. Dave’s
Rule #7: Never underestimate your ability to be vague and all the while think you are being clear.
Number Four: Get a year-at-a-glance calendar to see the big picture and schedule out the year in a
intelligent and balanced manner. When planning future events: an outreach, a new small group, a
seminar, etc. you want to avoid one thing bumping up against another. If you have too many special
projects planned, and if they are too close to each other you are probably heading for a headache. A
year-at-a-glance calendar helps us get a visual on the year and space our ideas/goals/plans in such a
way that makes our year balanced and comfortable to manage.
Small Church Pastor
Coaching, Consulting, and Resources for Pastors of Smaller Churches.
Ideas That Work
Copyright, Dave Jacobs 2010
| in a smaller church. |
Four Essentials to Consider Before
Announcing Your Goals or Idea.
by Dave Jacobs
Announcing Your Goals or Idea.
by Dave Jacobs
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| e-Newsletter |
Sign up now for my free bi-monthly
e-newsletter. This is an extension of my
website and designed to keep you informed
of new articles and resources on this site.
Sign up today and I'll send you a free copy
of my Better Sermons in Less Time
workbook.
e-newsletter. This is an extension of my
website and designed to keep you informed
of new articles and resources on this site.
Sign up today and I'll send you a free copy
of my Better Sermons in Less Time
workbook.