Formulating the Goal
A Goal is an improvement in the practice of ministry.
Choose a skill or behaviour that can be seen to improve.
In formulating and pursuing a clear Goal, you will have something to work on in your
development as a Chaplain. Here is a model or sample.
No 2 Theory Based Goal
FORM: Goal Two – Grief Theory based Goal
Student Name: Kay......................Trainer..........Greg.......
GOAL: State your Goal in a clear and concise manner
I will practise giving the check in empathetic responses.
OUTCOME: How will you be different? What will be different about you and the
way you practice your ministry?
My practice will be greatly enhanced when I follow the Academy’s Empathetic Response
Framework (Workbook 1 p. 39) giving as far as possible a primary feeling word, an
advanced feeling word, a reason for the feeling, and a check with the client.
Following all four steps (“giving an AAER”) will provide an excellent theoretical
framework to justify it, and enhance the quality of my interactions with the client.
An AAER is a complete Empathetic Response because:
it shows honesty and humility in seeking to know if I get it right with them.
it better engages the client expressing trust and interest in their particular issue.
it particularises our exchange to focus on the issue in the way they express it.
BACKGROUND: Why is this Goal important to you at this particular time?
Socially saying ‘that’s nice’ or ‘I’m sorry’ is just not good enough for excellence in the
practice of chaplaincy.
Professionally I need a formula to know I have done it right.
I need a clear framework to explain my actions in a verbatim to outside readers.
I need to practise this goal because my Supervisor pointed out I was not doing it.
I realise it would greatly improve my practice at this time.
In hesitant starts, I realise I can get better results (better engagement, deeper interactions,
better exercise of the Pastoral Functions) if I master this skill.
It is clearly explainable and measurable. Recommended by the Academy.
METHOD: How are you going to work at achieving your Goal?
I will focus on it every visiting day. Devise various ways of giving it.
I will journal upon my success with it. Evaluate my mastery.
It will ask my Supervisor to watch me using it.
I will count my frequency using it in session reviews.
CRITERIA: What criteria will you use to assess your progress? How will you know
that you have made progress with this Goal?
When I have mastered it as a natural part of my ministry.
I will judge my interviews as successful if using this skill.
Criteria: Frequency. Ease of Use. Familiarity. Better outcomes.
© MACCM 2016 Scaffolding for formulating a ministry Goal. G B Smith