15 Years And Still Going Strong?

Fifteen years ago, I walked into my first ministry job, having no clue what I was doing. I was a year out of college, with no formal training, just looking for a job that would pay the bills. It wouldn’t take long for me to feel God’s call that I was in the right place. I fell in love with ministry, it was my dream job, and now fifteen years later, I find myself wondering, “Has that changed?”

When I began, I was single and young, today I’m married with two boys and not always feeling young. A lot has changed over my tenure in ministry, and not just personally. When I started social media wasn’t a thing, I had parents who didn’t use email and Blockbuster was my the go-to place for renting movies when I needed to show a clip to my students.

I’m not retiring or calling it quits, but my relationship with youth ministry has changed as well. What I had fallen in love with is different than what I love today. It’s not harder or easier, it’s different, which begs the question, “God is this where you want me to be?”

If you are going to stay in youth ministry for the long haul, you’ll need to learn how to fall in love with it over and over again, especially if you need to start over. I know I don’t have the longest tenure in youth ministry (In fact I know people have at least double my experience), but what has worked for me is:

KEEPING CLEAR BOUNDARIES AND EXPECTATIONS

I didn’t learn the value of boundaries until after I got married. When it was just me, it was easy to work long days and skip a day off. When I first started, I was part of a smaller team, and it was always hands on deck. At first, I could grind it out, but eventually, the stress got to me. In my first two years of youth ministry, I gained 40 lbs, my sleep was in decline, and I was worn thin.

Fortunately, I had some experiences that got me on the right track. In 2007 at a conference I heard men and women share some basic principles regarding time and work management. Being efficient and effective became a priority. Understanding that rest is essential, and that’s when I started to see youth ministry as a marathon.

If you want to love ministry, you can’t let it overtake your life. You’ll end up resenting it or anything or anybody that stands in your way. If you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath, sit down, and look at your boundaries. For more check out these posts:

Should Youth Ministers Be Available 24/7

How To Handle Working For The Place You Worship

Best Practices For Managing Your Overloaded Schedule

INVESTING IN MY DISCIPLESHIP AND LEADERSHIP

Leaders are learners because growing in knowledge, faith, and wisdom fuels them. Sometimes we lose the love for ministry because we’re not being challenged to grow; therefore, professional and personal development needs to be a priority. As a leader, you need to look for conferences, workshops, and certifications that will expand your capacity to do more.

In addition to professional development, you need to look at your spiritual growth. Are you practicing what you preach? Joining a small group, finding a spiritual mentor, and engaging in some faith study is essential to deepening your walk with Christ and lead others to do the same.

SURROUNDING MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO CARE

Enthusiasm is contagious. If you work in an environment filled with resentment, gossip, or judgment, then it will kill your joy. While you might not have the power to control other’s attitudes, you can influence them. Be the cheerleader and celebrate the accomplishments of your staff. Pray that God blesses them.

Also find positive people to connect with, especially other youth ministers. Share wins from your ministry and tells each other know what’s working. The more you build one another up, the more you can remind each other why you love what you do.

REMEMBERING I’M MORE THAN MY MINISTRY

You may love youth ministry, it might be your dream job, but recognize you are just as valuable without it being a part of your life. When losing our identity in our ministry, we not only fall out of love but begin to lose sight of our relationship with God. Youth ministry should have an impact on your life, but it shouldn’t be your whole life.

Having hobbies and relationships outside of your job is essential. Learning more about your strengths, gifts, and motivations is key to knowing how God made you. When you make ministry the center of your world, it feels impossible to walk away, but there is life after ministry, you need to find it.

Fifteen years down, do I have another fifteen in me? I’m not sure that it is God’s call, but I know I’ve enjoyed it. There is a lot to learn, a lot to do, and currently, I love it. I want to thank my readers and fellow youth ministers for reminding me of the joy that comes with this path. I want to thank family and friends for the support, and most important, thank God for calling me to this journey, only He knows what is next.

How do you stay in love with your ministry?

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