Last week we talked through navigating change, especially during a season of constant change and isolation. Hopefully, you could make your list of things that you have been doing well and narrowed them down to one. If not, take a minute, read last week’s post and spend some time doing that before we move on to today’s question, what is one thing you would like to improve.
This week’s focus may not as come as natural to you as last weeks did, and that is ok! Internal reflection, either personal or as a church body, can be some of the hardest critiquing to walk through. But it is so vital to helping us move forward. Now that you have spent some time patting your back and looking at the things you are proud of that you accomplished, let’s look at the things you may need to improve.
If you are a goal setter, how well are you making progress with reaching your goals? How far have you gotten this year, or did things get off track? What is working for you in achieving those goals? What is not?
If these questions aren’t helping your thinking juices flow, take a look back at your accomplishment list. What didn’t make your top 3-5 big wins? Is anything going well on that list but could use some focus for improvement? Anything going through the motions in your ministry that you want to shape into the best it can be?
Those are the areas that will want to be on your things to improve the list. If your plan is large, don’t get overwhelmed! You start improving with one decision, one step forward. So, narrow down your focus to one thing you would like to improve, start making a plan and take action towards meeting that goal.
If you struggle with goal setting and accomplishing, here are some pointers on setting goals! I love this process from the Michael Hyatt & Co. group. https://michaelhyatt.com/goal-setting/
He recommends a SMARTER formula for goal setting. Be specific in identifying your goals. Make them measurable, so you know whether you are hitting your goal or not. Every plan should be actionable and start with an action verb. A good goal is risky to make you stretch a little and take you to the edge of your comfort zone. Every goal should be time-keyed with a date associated with it. It should be exciting to keep you focused on the destination and relevant to your values, season of life, and other goals. Write them down and review them regularly! You can read more about his goal-setting process here…
Make sure you write down key motivations to help you reach your goal and list the next steps, so you make an action plan that works instead of a new year’s dream. Know your reward for how you will celebrate when you reach that goal!
Here are some of the areas from the Laity Session that you listed as areas needing to improve.
Increase attendance among members/reconnect with inactive members
Be the first church to host community outreach events
Become more appealing to young families in worship and Sunday School
Host more ministry opportunities and communicate them better
Technology training/how to improve & build on our streaming services of worship
Youth outreach/connection
Increase membership/membership retention/membership involvement
Inviting people to church/Facebook streaming
Continuing to give to the church even when not in attendance
How do we better welcome and attract new people/evangelism?
How do we use more efficiently and often social media/more digital presence?
Reach the unchurched/the lost, least, & lonely
Improve Sunday School attendance and effectiveness
Keeping 2 campuses or services connected and blended into one unified church
Involve all of the congregation in ministry/the work of the church
Visitation
Follow up on outreach
More support for the pastor
Remind laity God is in charge
Better use of the facility
Reach and integrate all ages
Think about the future/not dwelling on the past
Serve the community with virtual groups
Outreach to children with innovative activities during COVID
More compassion, we have had a decrease of compassion during COVID
People leaving the church because of divisiveness on COVID
Acceptance of change
Communicating our calming/uniting message of the UMC to the community