The case against goal setting in ministry
In his 1997 book, Renewing Your Church Through Vision and Planning, Jack Hayford lays out a strong case against setting goals in ministry. The problem, he explains, is in the carnality inherent in the goals-oriented approach:
What, then, does it mean? Well, Hayford's book is a copyrighted work, and quoting the whole answer might exceed fair use. But you can read the answer, along with a lengthy excerpt, here.
My intention is not really to debunk goal setting but to confront the tendency to dissolve into naturalism—to pursue holy goals by merely human means. "No goals," in my mind, does not mean the absence of direction, strategy, or planning.
What, then, does it mean? Well, Hayford's book is a copyrighted work, and quoting the whole answer might exceed fair use. But you can read the answer, along with a lengthy excerpt, here.
posted by Milton Stanley at 8:50 PM
2 Comments:
I read a bit of the article, and the thought that came to mind: "A rose by any other name...." He doesn't set goals but he has a goal he prays for?
Thanks for all your work and reading to provide helpful links.
Yes, I noticed that, too, and probably should have addressed it better than I did. Still, his lesson that we need the Lord's strength more than our own is sound. Thanks for your kind words.
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