Week 1: The First Secret – One Minute Goals

Pastoral ministry is demanding, often requiring pastors to juggle multiple responsibilities at once. From sermon preparation to pastoral care to managing volunteers and staff, effective leadership and management are key to a thriving church. Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson’s classic book, The One Minute Manager, offers timeless management principles that can be applied to pastoral leadership, especially in the context of small church ministry. Over the next three weeks, we will explore the three core secrets from The One Minute Manager, offering practical insights on how pastors can use them to better manage their time, resources, and people in ministry. 


"A goal should take only a minute to read." – Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, The One Minute Manager


The first secret of The One Minute Manager is One Minute Goals. This secret is built around the idea that clear, concise, and achievable goals are the foundation of effective leadership and management. For small church pastors, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep track of all the goals for various ministries, staff, volunteers, and personal development. However, by implementing One Minute Goals, pastors can simplify their approach and stay focused on what matters most.

Why One Minute Goals Matter:

Setting clear goals is essential for providing direction and maintaining momentum. In the book, Blanchard and Johnson highlight the importance of setting goals that are easy to understand and quick to assess. They write, “A goal should take only a minute to read.” In a small church setting, this means creating goals that are simple, measurable, and aligned with the church’s mission.

Strategic Insights for Small Church Pastors:

  1. Simplify Your Goals: Whether it's for ministry programs, outreach events, or team development, break down your goals into simple, understandable tasks. For example, instead of a vague goal like "Grow the church," set a One Minute Goal like, "Invite 10 new people to church this month through personal invitations or outreach efforts."

  2. Involve Your Team: When creating goals for ministry, involve your staff and volunteers in the process. Involve them in setting realistic goals that everyone can understand and feel ownership over. This practice builds accountability and encourages teamwork.

  3. Keep Goals Visible: Post your goals where you and your team can regularly see them. This keeps the goals top-of-mind and ensures everyone remains focused on the ministry objectives.


Application:

For example, if you are planning a community outreach event, a One Minute Goal could be: “Partner with at least three local businesses to sponsor or promote the event by the end of this week.” This goal is clear, simple, and directly aligned with the church's vision to engage the community.

As you approach each ministry area, create One Minute Goals that allow your church members to see immediate progress, and measure how their efforts are contributing to the overall mission of the church.




We are your partner in ministry, empowering you to stay in the game and help you complete the work God began in you. We want to help you implement the vision God has given you.


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