Are Your Replaceable?

Over the last eight months, my attention has been torn between two worlds, youth ministry and live streaming the liturgy. Overseeing our efforts to live stream was my decision, and I knew it would take away from what I was doing in youth ministry. But, it was desperate times, and with everything up in the air, I knew I could make it work. It’s been hard, and fortunately, we now have a team and a part-time employee taking over the live stream. But, as I transition back into a full-time director of youth ministry, I’ve learned a valuable lesson:

IF THE YOUTH MINISTRY IN MY PARISH IS GOING TO THRIVE, THEN I NEED TO MAKE MYSELF REPLACEABLE

I’m not necessarily working myself out of a job, but I’m making sure that the youth ministry’s efforts do not collapse if I have to step away. It’s something we don’t like to think about, but the reality is that having this mindset will not only prepare for the worst but help your ministry grow stronger in the presence, and that’s because:

NEW LEADERS RISE TO THE TOP

We get in the way of future leaders when we try to do it all as soon as you start delegating you to allow teens and adults to take ownership of the ministry. You’ll see people rise to the occasion and do things that you never had the time or imagination to make happen. Ultimately, you’ll still be responsible for the ministry, but the burden won’t fall solely on your shoulders.

A DIVERSITY OF VOICES ENRICHEN YOUR CATECHESIS

You might be the most dynamic speaker in your community, but after a while, people can get tired of your voice. Not only do you need other people speaking into the ministry, but you also need other people to curate and cultivating your content. The more voices you have impacting what you teach, the more teens you’ll be able to reach.

THE FOCUS STAYS ON CHRIST

The act of replacing yourself is an act in humility. If you think your ministry cannot run unless you are a part of it, then you’ve lost sight of the vision. God wants you to lead your ministry, but He does not need you. When we remember that the ministry must go on with or without us, it reminds us that we are stewards. A humble leader will facilitate a humble ministry.

While it might be difficult to think about the ministry after you are gone, it’s not complex to get started. To begin replacing yourself:

PHYSICALLY REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE MINISTRY

Look at your calendars four to six weeks from now and take off the next two gatherings with your students. Plan to turn your phone off, not check your email and completely disconnect. Then spend the next four to six weeks working with your team to run your programs without you. That means delegating tasks and explaining where resources, materials, and everything they need to do the job can be found. When the time arrives, let them know that you will be unreachable; however, that you’ll connect when you return. Lastly, give them permission to pivot and be flexible.

INTENTIONALLY INVEST IN LEADERSHIP

When you connect with your leaders, it’s important to talk about leadership. It will help them take on the responsibility that comes with the ministry and increase their personal formation. As directors and coordinators, we must care for our teams. To do that means not only delegating tasks but equipping them with the knowledge and wisdom to go beyond what’s asked.

Make sure you introduce your team to ministry books, podcasts, and conferences that can help them learn more about youth ministry and church leadership. Don’t be afraid to give them authority and ownership by providing opportunities to lead the other volunteers. The more you invest in their leadership, the more likely they’ll fill the gap if you have to step back or away from the ministry.

EMBRACE FAILURE AS A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

No one likes to fail, but we can’t be afraid to face it. Permitting your leaders to take risks, even if it means failures, will take your ministry to the next level because it will create an environment of learning. When your team is learning from their mistakes, you are removing any outside pressure to be perfect. You are saying that the Church is a safe place to try new things. If your team fails, it’s important to sit with them in the failure, talk about what you’ve learned, and setting forth an improved plan. When your team sees that you care for them, they’ll continue to work with you despite their mistakes.

As you replace yourself, your capacity to lead will increase. You’ll find new projects and initiatives to take on because you’ll have the time and energy to get it done. As new opportunities and challenges come your way, you’ll be able to approach them with confidence because you have people around you who can help you.

How are you currently replacing yourself?