Professional Speaker, Seminar Facilitator, Leadership Consultant, Life & Spiritual Coaching
5 Resolutions Each Pastor Should Embrace as Goals for the New Year.
By M. Christopher Wilson, Sr
Each year millions of people make what we call New Year’s Resolutions. A New Year’s Resolution is a commitment made to a project or a habit. Often New Year’s Resolutions deal with a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as beneficial. The word resolution is literally the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, or procedure.
As a pastor and leader of others it is vital that you not only have a New Year’s Resolution, but that when ever you see that a change, improvement, or enhancement to your ministry or personal life is needed you are willing to focus and gain the mental state of firmness toward that purpose.
The Declaration Mistake
One mistake that I think many of us have made as it relates to New Year’s Resolutions is that we look at it as simply a declaration that we have to make that will in some magical way fulfill it self. If you’re going to make resolutions that can transform your ministry and life you have to understand that talking about it is not enough!
From Declaring to Goal Setting
Your resolution only has a chance of becoming a reality when you purpose it as a goal. One of the most powerful things you can do to begin the transformation of your life and ministry is Goal setting. When you set goals you then have a means of charting the course of your future which increases your chances of success.
The Golden Key
Even after you have begun the process of making your resolution a goal the golden key that many leave out is writing them down! There is a great quote that says, “The shortest pencil is longer than the greatest mind”. No matter how thought out you may think you have your goals as the old saying goes, “Out of sight out of mind”. It is critically important that you not only write your goals down, but that you make it a daily routine to review them.
Not Wishes
Remember, goals are not a wish list of ideas! Goals should be set with the intent of achieving. So there are a few things you have to have in place to help you with this.
- The Goal must be realistic.
- The Goal must be written out with great detail.
- The Goal must be measurable.
- One Goal at a time.
- The Goal must be inspiring.
- The Goal must have a deadline.
Paper not Stone
Another thing that we need to say is that goals are written on paper not in stone! That means that your goals are subject to change. Many times as you progress you will see that you need to tweak your goals. Please don’t be afraid of the process of rethinking and tweaking your goals if necessary.
So let’s get to the 5 most important resolutions that each pastor should embrace as goals for the New Year.
1. To replenish your desire to win souls.
One of the greatest investments that you can make for your church and personal ministry is the investment into a renewed desire to win souls. It does not matter who in your church has a desire to win the lost, the buck stops with you as the leader. If you don’t get it you’ll become the lid on your own ministry; stopping the influx of souls into the kingdom.
2. To put a strategic soul winning plan in place that involves every age group in your ministry.
As the leader it is imperative that after you have renewed your own desire for souls that you begin to inspire others to do the same. The word inspire literally means in-spirit. When we inspire others we are encouraging them to follow us as we are lead by the Spirit of God. At this point we will begin to see a spirit of agreement and fellowship kindled in our ministry.
3. To implement a leadership development program to mentor develop and train new ministers & leaders.
In ministry, as it is in the business world, our people are our greatest assets. Any one can stand up Sunday after Sunday and preach a sermon. However, it is a whole different ball game when it comes to implementing a leadership development program that can help others to define, clarify and develop their God given talents. Don’t be afraid to get help!
4. To begin to take 100% responsibility for the direction of your ministry.
When I speak of taking 100% responsibility I’m not in anyway insinuating leaving God out. When we look at the book of Genesis it is very easy to see that we have been calling on God to do many of the things that we have been giving dominion over. So when we look at the state of the church, our families, our communities and the world we need to stop blaming the devil and start taking responsibility for that which we have been given charge of!
If you’re the leader, your ministry, no matter what shape it is in is only a reflection of who you are. Nothing will change in your life and ministry until you are willing to take full responsibility for where you are. Stop blaming, complaining and start making changes!
To develop yourself daily.
If you’re not daily developing yourself believe me it will not happen by osmoses! If the only time your reading is on Saturday night to prepare for your next sermon you’re not developing yourself. When I say development I’m not necessarily talking about attending a seminar or college. Development starts with a daily routine to improve, better, and advance your self spiritually, mentally, physically and socially.
Unquestionably, the call to pastor is the greatest calling on earth, weather you are pastoring a church or, as I do, pastoring other pastors. I hope these five resolutions will only be the beginning of the goals that you will set, progress toward and achieve in this upcoming year!
Bishop Wilson is a leadership; life & Spiritual Coach that helps people identify, evaluate the severity of and remove the mental hindrances to their success.
If you need help creating a personal development plan consider allowing Bishop Wilson to coach you to success: http://www.bishopwilson.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment