IFCA REGIONAL LEADERS' HANDBOOK - IFCA International

REGIONAL GOALS
Once the PURPOSE of the IFCA Regional is clearly understood, and a
commitment has prayerfully been made to seek to fulfill that PURPOSE, then the
leaders of the Regional can begin to set GOALS for the Regional.
The Apostle Paul spoke succinctly concerning GOALS. In Philippians 3:13-14 he
says, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
He indicates that he is pressing (aiming) toward the mark (goal) of God's calling.
A GOAL is "what one plans or aims to achieve." Certainly the over-all GOAL
of every believer is to bring glory to our God. There are several very valuable
reasons to have GOALS:
GOALS provide direction … thus avoiding aimlessness.
GOALS facilitate planning … thus working out the details of specific
plans
GOALS provide a means of measurement … thus we can determine how
well and how close we have come to "the mark."
GOALS anticipate evaluation ... thus a time and means of review is in
place.
When GOALS are being set, the leaders of the Regional will want to consider
setting both short and long term goals. The short term goals will include plans
for the next Regional, for the coming year. The long term goals will include
plans for next year's Regional, for other meetings, for retreats, conferences, and
special activities. Every GOAL, both short and long term, will be viewed "under
the grid" of fulfilling the Regional's PURPOSE.
The GOALS adopted by IFCA International as expressed in our Vision and Goals
Statement should be accepted whole-heartedly, reviewed constantly, adapted
carefully, and worked diligently as best "fits" each Regional.
Remember, someone has said that the GOALS of your organization must be
SMART:
Specific enough to be meaningful. To say “I’m going to walk each day” is
meaningless unless you don’t usually walk at all in the course of a day. To
say, “I’m going to include power walking as part of my exercise routine,” is
specific enough to be meaningful
Measurable – This means that your goals ought to be of a sort that can be
measured objectively in order to determine your progress. To say, “I’m
52
IFCA International Regional Leadership
Handbook