Youth Ministry Resources: In youth ministry there’s always something happening, someone in crisis, or somewhere where you’re needed. But if you answer every call, run to every incident, or are present at everything that happens, you will run aground fast.
Pacing Yourself in Youth Ministry
In youth ministry there’s always something happening, someone in crisis, or somewhere where you’re needed. But if you always answer every call, come running at every incident, or are present at everything that happens, you will run aground fast. Being in youth ministry may seem like a sprint for all the effort and energy it’s costing, but it actually is a marathon. If you want to make it to that finish line ahead, you need to pace yourself.
Protect Yourself
The single best thing you can do for yourself is learn how to say no. It’s not a popular thing to do, especially in church, because we all feel the pressure to serve, to help out, to build the church and the Kingdom of God. But you have to focus on the bigger picture: if you keep saying yes to everything, you’ll end up with a burnout and then you won’t be able to help anyone. Say no to requests when you don’t have the time, when it’s not a priority, when you’re not the right person to do it or when you think it shouldn’t be done at all.
And even when you’re the right person but the timing is wrong, say no. Youth may for instance call late at night because they need to talk. Sure, it’s always urgent, but how often is it the case that it really can’t wait till the next day? If it’s a real emergency, you need to be there obviously. But take the time to determine how urgent the situation is before you jump in and (once again) end up with to little sleep.
Protect your Sabbath
It may not be possible to keep the Sunday as a day of rest in youth ministry, but you need to have a Sabbath each week. Take a day off to reconnect with God, to enjoy downtime with your family, to relax and enjoy. Do whatever you can to protect this day off. Communicate it to everyone in your youth ministry, unplug the phone, don’t open your email and stay away from anything work related. And most importantly: do not make exceptions, unless someone is literally dying. Anything else can usually wait till the next day. One you start making exceptions, it’s a downhill ride to never being off at all.
Protect Your Family
Never forget that your family is your first responsibility. Your spouse, your children, they have to come first. If they need you, that’s more important than whatever you are doing at that moment. Don’t let your own children be the victim of you wanting to take care of the children of others. Make your family a firm, non-negotiable first priority. Agree for instance that no matter what, you’ll be home for dinner. Agree on a weekly family night where you’ll do something fun with the kids. Schedule important events like recitals, games and such in your calendar and let nothing come in the way. Your kids need to know that even though there will be sacrifices to be made for your position in youth ministry, they will always come first.
Protect Your Team
If you are leading the youth ministry, or leading a team, you have to protect your team as well. If you see any signs that they are running too fast, doing too much and taking too little time for themselves or their family, step in. Confront them lovingly and gently and remind them it’s a marathon. It also means that you should not over-ask your team. If you know you’re overextended as it is, don’t accept new responsibilities or tasks and don’t initiate something new.
