Running a S.T.E.P. Goals Meeting

SITUATION – “Where are we?”

The goal of this time is to get an accurate picture of where each ministry is at the moment.

Ministry Life Cycle Exercise

Start by drawing diagram #1 and have each leader draw a dot/symbol where they think their ministry is at right now. Then have a group discussion asking everyone else if they agree with the placement. Most leaders will be hard on themselves and will mark the ministry lower than it really is. I usually ask  “Why did you put there and not higher/lower?”

Keep an eye out for any ministry that lands in the red box in diagram #2. This is the danger zone, if you don’t act then the ministry could die! Usually being at the top of booming and the top of declining look/feel the same until it’s too late.

Typically when someone says they are at the top of booming it’s because they’ve run out of ideas, they don’t know where else to go. They’ve tried everything and now they’re in “maintenance mode.” If they had fresh ideas they’d move their ministry to the bottom of growing because they see tons of opportunity and they know growth is possible. This cycle of adding fresh ideas and possibilities is what makes a ministry everlasting and this is seen in diagram #3.

TARGET – “Where are we going?”

The goal of this section is for you as the leader to give clarity, direction and focus to help them dream and create impactful goals. 

Framing Facts – Start by coming up with your 4 Framing Facts. These are statements that will help your team focus their attention in the right direction. 

The first fact is alway time based, I suggest using 1 year. The following 3 have to be concrete measurables, usually numbers based. I usually pick one growth #, one leadership # and one stretch goal #. Here are some possible facts…

# in weekly attendance, # of services, # of volunteers, # of leaders, # of first timers, # of salvations/baptisms, # of locations/sites, # of staff, # of givers, 

* ProTip – This activity is where you have the most leveraged leadership opportunity. If you can really thinking through having the right 4 Framing Facts, you could see a massive impact in every ministry of the next 3-6 months.

Write your 4 Framing Facts on the whiteboard and ask them, “If these facts were true, what would your ministry look, feel, and act like?”

Let them spend 10-15 minutes dreaming and creating a long list.

EVALUATE – “What’s the best way?”

The goal of this activity is to help them discover what big steps they need to take next.

Ask them– “Knowing where you’re ministry is at right now, and where we’re going, what needs to change in the next 12 months?” 

Give them 10-15 min to create a list, then share that list with the group. Be sure to encourage feedback and ask for questions. This whole process needs to be collaborative. 

PLANNING – “What our next step?”

The goal for this last section is to get clarity on what specific actions need to be taken now.

WIN – What’s Important Now – Ask each person to prioritize that long list form the last exercise into a top 6 list. Then share and let the group help influence their order.

AIP – Action Initiative Plan – Have each person take the top 3 goals and create an AIP. 

Each big goal should be broken up into 3-5 smaller tasks that if done will make the goal a reality. 

Each task should have….

A Due Date – These dates should be sequential so the task build up 

A Point Person – Try to delegate a few tasks.

A Deliverable – A tangible way you as the leader know it’s finished.