Gooooooooooooaaall!!!

I love those soccer announcer dudes. Best part of soccer if you ask me (those of you who know me will know that likely that’s the only good part about soccer, in my view, but I digress. Keep doin’ yer thing, Beckham.)

Goals are one of those things that can be a bit “buzz word”-ish, and some of us artist types can get a bit skiddish and shy away from that stuff. I really do think that setting goals makes a difference in our ministries.

What are your goals for your worship ministry in 2010?

If you don’t typically engage in this process, I encourage you to give it a try. They can be from the practical to the ethereal, and everything in between – a balance of ‘em all is gets my vote. Do you have punctuality issues with yourself or your team? Set a goal to clear it up this year. Give yourself steps: I will be 15 minutes early for every service and rehearsal this year. Does your flock need a fresh infusion of new songs? Set a goal of discovering and teaching some new worship tools to your congregation this year and pursue it with passion. Maybe your crew needs some grounding and teaching in the theology of worship. How can you meet that need this year? Make a plan and work it.

My encouragement to us all with the calendar about to flip once again is to take some time with God to consider what He might have for each of us and our ministries this year and to set some goals to get us there. What an opportunity to give Him the thanks and praise you’ll have this time next year when you can look back and see the ways God has carried you and yours to meet those things He set in your heart a year ago! Sure things will change, new needs will arise, and some of the goals you set now will need to morph and adjust as time passes. But none of those things negate the benefit of time spent with God considering what paths he’d have you follow over the coming year.

Something to consider: Throw yourself in the deep end from time to time. I like to try and consider with God some dreams for our ministry that seem so outrageously large that only He could accomplish them. That way, if and when they come to pass, only He gets the credit. It’s a good thing to purposely set ourselves up for a reminder of who’s driving the bus, now and again.

So, what are some of your goals this year? Let’s share ‘em with each other and run the race together!