Setting Goals
If you were to read any book on the topic of leadership, you would find a mention of goals. Every organization has some type of goal, whether spoken or unspoken, that it hopes to accomplish. We even have aspirations for our own personal lives. We hope to advance in the workplace, build strong families, relate successfully to our community, etc. in virtually every area of life, we set our own specific goals that we seek to achieve.
Similarly, we aim for certain targets within the church and its ministries. For example, this Sunday we have set a goal of 1000 in Sunday School. Some of you might ask again, "Why have a high attendance emphasis in Sunday School? Why focus on just one Sunday?" Let me give you a couple of reasons. First, setting a realistic but challenging goal helps us to work harder. It's not just about meeting a number or gaining bragging rights. Rather, it is a way to spur us on in our efforts. Bobby Welch, the former Southern Baptist Convention president, compared a goal to the actual bar high jumpers try to overcome. The more the bar is raised, the greater the jumper's attempt. In comparison, we have set a goal of 1000 in order to increase our collective efforts. Hopefully, we will strive harder than we ever have to reach out to fellow church members and to folks in our community.
The second reason we observe a high attendance Sunday is because we know that it is an opportunity for God to work in people's lives. William is a perfect example. William had committed his life to Christ at an early age and had attended the church regularly for some time. Like many, he allowed issues to arise and eventually drifted away from the church. For some time, he was one of those inactive members for which we Baptist churches have become famous. And then there was a high attendance Sunday School day at the church. Several men from the Men's Sunday School class began to focus on William and pestered him about coming that one Sunday. Finally, William capitulated to their requests and decided to show up. The result? Well, according to William's own testimony, something happened that day. He was reconnected with the family of God, and more importantly, he recommitted his life to Christ. Something sparked in his life, and he began to follow Christ more faithfully. A few years later, the church recognized his change of heart and ordained him as a deacon. When I served as William's pastor, I distinctly remember him standing one Sunday morning to relate this story. It spoke to me tremendously concerning our need to reach out to those around us. Who knows? This Sunday may be the Sunday that a William reconnects with his church and recommits his life to the Lord. It may be a moment when one of our future leaders is transformed. Therefore, make a phone call and invite someone to attend Sunday School this Sunday. Be a part of what God is doing to build His kingdom here in Zachary, and help us bat a 1000!