Finish Strong, Start Fresh: Part 2 – Cast Vision and Set Goals for 2024 with Clarity and Focus

In this season you and your team are probably spending a lot of time, energy, and resources preparing for your Christmas services. However, we want to remind you of another important opportunity you should balance in the mix.

With the year-end audit behind you (from Part 1), it’s time to shift your focus from reflection to forward momentum. For multisite church pastors, casting a compelling vision and setting strategic goals are essential steps to leading your congregation well into the new year.

In Part 2 of our series, we’ll walk you through a checklist to ensure you enter 2024 with clear direction, energized leadership, and alignment across all your campuses.

1. Refine or Reaffirm Your Values, Purpose, & Vision

What it is: Your church’s organizational identity markers form the foundation for everything you do. We have a conviction that when you know who you are, you know what to do. Whether you're re-energizing your current vision or crafting new language to meet the moment, this is where your clarity of purpose begins.

Checklist:

• Review Core Values, Purpose & Vision: Revisit your church’s values, purpose, and vision statements to ensure they still resonate with where God is leading your ministry. Does the language reflect your church’s heart and the changing needs of your congregation and community?
• Consider Cultural and Post-COVID Shifts: Reflect on how cultural changes and post-pandemic realities have affected your church. Does your current mission still speak to the needs of a hybrid congregation (in-person and online)?
• Set a Unifying Theme for 2024: You likely have an initiative you're calling people into. Choose a theme, scripture, or “word of the year” to rally your congregation toward. This theme will serve as a guiding principle that influences preaching, communications, and ministry focus throughout the year.

Pro Tip: If you’re updating your values, purpose, or vision, communicate these changes to your staff first. Ensuring your leadership team is aligned with each of these is crucial for church-wide buy-in.

2. Being to Consider Measurable Goals Across Ministry Areas

What it is: Once your vision for next year is clear, it’s time to break it down into measurable goals for your ministries and campuses. These goals help translate vision into action and give your team clear objectives to work toward.

Checklist:

• Attendance and Engagement Targets: Set specific goals for both in-person and online attendance at each campus. Consider not just numbers but also engagement—how are you moving people from attendance to active involvement?
• Financial Goals and Budget Adjustments: Review your current financial position and set giving goals for the new year. Make sure your 2024 budget aligns with your ministry priorities and vision. Consider key areas that need increased funding or where costs could be reallocated. 
• Community Outreach and Impact Goals: Identify measurable outcomes for community engagement. This could include the number of people served, partnerships with local organizations, missions trips, or new outreach initiatives. How can you increase your impact locally and globally?
• Digital Ministry Objectives: If digital ministry has become a larger focus, set concrete goals for your online platforms. This might include improving live stream quality, growing online small groups, or reaching new geographic regions with your online presence.

Pro Tip: Avoid setting too many goals—choose a few high-impact goals and focus your energy there. It’s better to hit a few strategic targets than to spread your team thin across too many initiatives.

3. Assess and Adjust Staffing Needs

What it is: Your vision and goals will only be realized if your staff structure supports them. This is the time to review your staffing model and ensure you have the right people in the right roles, with clear expectations and resources to succeed.

Checklist:

• Review Staff Structure: Look at your current staff organization to see if it aligns with your values, purpose, and vision. Are there any gaps in leadership or areas where roles need to be redefined?
• Identify Staffing Gaps: Are there new positions needed to meet the goals of your vision? Consider whether you need to hire additional campus pastors, directors, or support staff.
• Update Job Descriptions: Make sure each staff member has a clear and updated job description that aligns with their goals for 2024. This creates accountability and helps each team member understand their role in advancing the vision.
• Evaluate Leadership Development Needs: Identify key staff members who need leadership development or new skills to thrive in their roles. Plan for intentional mentoring or training to help your team grow as leaders.

Pro Tip: Conduct 1-on-1 meetings with key staff to clarify their goals for the year. This not only aligns them with church-wide priorities but also shows your personal investment in their growth.

4. Align Budgets and Resources with Strategic Priorities

What it is: Your vision and goals mean little without the financial resources to back them up. Now is the time to make sure your budget reflects your highest priorities and that the necessary resources are in place to bring the vision to life.

Checklist:

• Create a Draft Budget: Build a preliminary budget for 2024 that aligns with your ministry goals. Include projections for giving, staffing, programming, and facility needs.
• Reallocate Resources Where Necessary: Ensure that funding is allocated to the areas most critical to your vision. Are there underfunded ministries that need a boost? Are there programs that are no longer aligned with your mission and could be scaled back?
• Year-End Giving Push: If you’re close to year-end, consider a final giving campaign or communication to meet any shortfalls or start the new year with a surplus. Cast a compelling vision for why the congregation’s generosity matters as you prepare for 2024.

Pro Tip: Consider a quarterly review of your budget and ministry goals with your leadership team. This allows for flexibility and ensures you’re staying aligned with your financial targets.

5. Engage Key Stakeholders in Vision and Goal-Setting

What it is: For a vision to take root and flourish, your key stakeholders need to be fully bought in and aligned with the direction you’re setting for the new year. Whether it’s your board, campus pastors, or key volunteers, they should be part of the conversation.

Checklist:

• Engage Your Board and Senior Leaders: Present the 2024 vision and key goals to your board and senior leadership team. Gather their input and ensure they are fully supportive before you move forward with the larger church body.
• Empower Campus Pastors to Cast Vision: Equip your campus pastors to share the vision with their own teams. Give them the tools they need (talking points, visuals, key goals) to communicate effectively and inspire their campuses.
• Hold a Leadership Vision Retreat: Consider hosting a January retreat or leadership meeting where your entire leadership team—staff and volunteers—gather to align around the vision and goals for the new year. This is a chance to inspire, unify, and mobilize your leaders for the year ahead.

Pro Tip: Create a simple and clear vision document or presentation that you can share with your leaders. This gives them a practical tool to help cast vision in their respective roles.

Landing the Plan on Part 2

Casting vision and setting goals are some of the most powerful tools in your leadership arsenal. By taking the time to refine your church’s mission, set clear goals, and align your staffing and budget with your strategic priorities, you’re laying a solid foundation for success in the new ministry year.

In Part 3, we’ll focus on equipping and empowering your team to execute the vision and hit the ground running in January. Remember, the most inspiring vision means little if your team isn’t equipped to bring it to life. Stay tuned for practical tips on building momentum with your leadership team and ensuring accountability as you move forward.