One of my favorite writings of Jonathan Edwards are his resolutions. Jonathan Edwards is widely considered the greatest mind that America has ever produced. And yet he wasn’t merely a man who had cognitive knowledge, but he also had a deep abiding faith and communion with Jesus. It was during his first year of ministry that Edwards began writing these resolutions.Here is a sample:
For Edwards these weren’t resolutions the way that we think of them, rather they were concrete goals that became habits that were pressed down, in and through his life by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Studies and experts say that less than 8% of all resolutions that are being made now for 2015 will actually be kept. Resolutions are frequently broken and usually abandoned with one misstep or failure. In contrast, concrete goals don’t evaporate in the face of adversity, hardship or laziness.
In our ministry and organization we say that goals should be “S.M.A.R.T.” — specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timed. If they aren’t “S.M.A.R.T.” than they will never materialize or be achieved.
I am looking forward to this 2016 with expectation and faith. But before I look forward and set goals for this coming year, I need to reflect back on this past year.
Here are a couple of questions I am asking myself:
And here are some questions that I ask myself as I plan and set goals for this upcoming year:
And here are an assortment of thought provoking questions:
Bill Reichart is an ordained minister within the Presbyterian Church of America. With over 25 years of ministry experience Bill has worked as Asst. Pastor at The Vine Community Church and was with Cru for over 16 years. Bill currently serves as the Atlanta Area Director with Christian Medical & Dental Associations and is the editor of Ministry Best Practices.
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