Many modern missiologists are sucked into the subtle world view of measurable objectives. They argue that efficient missionaries need to precisely predict future outcomes, set accurate timetables, and get to work using incremental steps. Such missiologists require us to precisely define what we mean by evangelism in terms of observable behavior and then predict how effective we will be by a certain date. They want to know how many souls will be won, within a given time, and with how much money. Such a world view is dangerous and discouraging.
Quantities are only valuable when they really do reflect inner qualities.
We have faith goals, but we pray that the actual results will pleasantly surprise us. I wonder if some of you are frustrated by pressures to predict measurable objectives in your ministry. There may be times when measurable objectives are appropriate, but let me encourage you to consider faith goals as a better option. An example of a measurable objective might be to hand out 100 tracts per day. Such a goal is measurable, but we don t know if the tracts make people angry, cause a litter problem, or actually are used by the Spirit to bring conviction of sin.