When I stepped into the role of senior pastor, our leadership team came together for an intense session, hoping to set ministry goals. We prayed, studied, and hoped—imagining what God might accomplish in our church. Zealously, we developed a plan and set a bold five-year goal, projecting a 20% annual attendance increase with the hope of planting a new church within three years. We even created visuals to unveil our plans.
The younger leaders at the table were enthusiastic, but I noticed one of the more seasoned leaders looked hesitant. While the younger men were optimistic, this elder was more reserved. When I asked for his thoughts, he quietly said, “I hope God does this, but I don’t know for certain that He will.”
It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room.
In time, I realized his comment wasn’t a reflection of doubt in God’s power but rather an insight our team hadn’t fully grasped: Our planning and ministry goals were grounded in arrogance and ambition more than faithfulness. Worse, our goals were driven by shallow metrics, rather than a Christ-centered purpose.
Learning through failure
As it turned out, our goals didn’t materialize. Attendance didn’t grow as we had planned; instead, it continued to decline, following a trend that had lasted nearly two decades. At the time I felt disheartened, viewing it as a setback. But in hindsight, I recognize God’s providence. If we had achieved those goals, we might have leaned into self-reliance, pride, and even idolatry—taking credit for what should be God’s alone.
Though our intentions seemed right, our motives were subtly misaligned. We desired numerical growth, believing a larger church meant a more successful ministry. But this outlook was shallow. We had overlooked a foundational question: Were we aiming to shepherd the congregation faithfully, intentionally disciple believers, and glorify Christ—or merely to grow larger? True, reaching people is good, but our underlying desire was to chase attendance numbers, rather than nurture a biblical community focused on worship, discipleship, and love.
Planning with humility and dependence on God
Goal-setting in ministry isn’t wrong or unnecessary; it’s essential. But how can pastors—especially in revitalizing or replanting contexts—set goals that honor God without arrogance or self-reliance? JimBo Stewart and Brandon Moore address this beautifully in The Replant Bootcamp podcast (Episode 248). As Brandon aptly says, “Planning and intentionality are not unspiritual things.” Planning doesn’t indicate that pastors lack dependence on God; rather, it’s a reflection of stewardship, when done with prayerful dependence and humility.
Scripture encourages planning, but it also warns against presuming upon God or planning with arrogance. We are called to plan intentionally and prayerfully, acknowledging God’s sovereignty over every outcome. This could mean mapping out a preaching calendar that moves expositionally through Scripture, ensuring that our teaching aligns with God’s message, rather than our personal agenda. Casting a biblically grounded vision for discipleship, outreach, or accountability also requires thoughtful planning—always open to God’s direction.
Biblical productivity and ministry goals
In Redeeming Productivity: Getting More Done for the Glory of God, Reagan Rose discusses productivity through a Christian lens, emphasizing that productivity isn’t about doing more but about doing what matters in a way that aligns with our faith and bears fruit for God. Rose’s insights are particularly valuable for churches with limited resources, where every hour, dollar, and ounce of energy counts. His approach calls believers to pursue meaningful productivity—not as a measure of accomplishment, but as a way to honor God through intentional and fruitful work.
In ministry, our goals should aim to bear gospel-centered fruit, using resources wisely. For churches facing decline, a biblically grounded, strategic approach to planning can help direct efforts where they matter most, preventing wasted resources. Embracing God’s guidance doesn’t mean abandoning foresight; it means inviting Him into every stage of our planning and keeping our plans open to His direction.
Setting goals that glorify God
Setting ministry goals isn’t unspiritual or overly pragmatic. When done with humility, it fosters growth and keeps our focus on the gospel. Our goals, however, must be rooted in gospel-driven metrics, centered on a desire to see Christ exalted above all. Jared Wilson’s Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor provides an excellent resource on setting biblically grounded goals. Wilson reminds pastors of their core calling to shepherd God’s people with humility, dependence on the Spirit, and a Christ-centered approach to goal-setting.
A healthy approach to ministry goals does not aim to swell attendance but to cultivate a vibrant, faithful community rooted in discipleship, Christ-exalting devotion, and gospel priorities. When our goals are genuinely aligned with God’s mission, they serve as tools for advancing the gospel, rather than trophies for human achievement.
May our ministry goals reflect not a shallow and superficial definition of success, but a deep commitment to seeing Christ lifted high and lives transformed by the gospel.
Published December 19, 2024
