The setting of goals is foundational to the effectiveness of the pastor. Strong visionary leadership is a desirable trait for today's pastor. Effective people in all walks of life set goals. J. C. Penney once said, "Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I will give you a man who will make history. Give me a man without a goal, and I will give you a stock clerk." Paul had his life goal in mind when he wrote to the church in Philippi, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," (Phil. 3:14). One great biblical leader that exhibited the ability to set goals was Nehemiah.

When Nehemiah looked at his fellow citizens, he saw people on the verge of losing their identity. Because Jerusalem was unprotected and vulnerable to attack, its inhabitants sought security in small villages outside the city. Gradually they melted into these foreign cultures, losing their unique language, culture and religion. Nehemiah assessed the situation correctly. He saw that the Jews were drifting geographically and he realized that they were also drifting spiritually. Nehemiah realized that Jerusalem needed a wall if it would ever be the truly Jewish city God intended. Without a wall, the situation inevitably would worsen; the nation would lose whatever grip on godliness it had.