You’ve reached your limit. You can no longer endure. As you drive home after another long night you wonder, “Can I keep doing this? The temptation is to say, “No.” But, is it the right answer?
Courtesy of miyukiutada/Creative Commons License
This past week my pastor and I headed to the NCCYM in San Antonio to speak. We were there to share the Rebuilt story and promote my upcoming book Rebuilding Youth Ministry.
During our time there youth ministers shared with us the challenges they faced. It was a little heart breaking because behind each story was the question:
CAN I KEEP ON GOING?
A question we’ve all asked, but maybe for different reasons like:
The reality is it’s normal to ask that question. But, if you want to keep moving then you need to:
There is a desire and demand for instant results. But, a successful and healthy youth ministry takes time. That means developing patience and persistence along the journey. Once you embrace the reality of the situation it becomes clearer how you should move forward.
You are constantly pouring yourself out that you forget to feed yourself spiritually. The challenge to self care is to do it intentionally. That means:
The more you invest in yourself as a disciple the better you’ll be at growing others.
Ministry is not meant to be done on your own. Find a network of youth workers to walk with you in the journey. Not only will they be there to hear you out, but give you solid advice. The key to any network is to find one that will challenge and affirm you.
Lasting the journey means trusting that God has a plan. When you start focusing on your own wants it’s easy to forget about what He wants. Trust that God will see you through any hardship. Pray for guidance and trust that He’ll provide.
If you are a youth minister in need, I encourage you to reach out. You can do so on our Facebook Page Marathon Youth Ministry or contact me HERE. Below you’ll also see a list of resources that you recommend.
If you feel called to serve other youth workers look in your local networks. Take a new youth minister under your wing. Also check out my friend Terrace Crawford’s Blog HERE, he’s got an incredible project going on this season.
No matter where you are in the journey, trust that God has a plan. Be persistent and be faithful. It’s worth it.
How do you get through the difficult seasons of youth ministry?
YM Answers Podcast click HERE
Rebuilt Podcast click HERE
Download Youth Ministry Web Show click HERE
Leader Treks click HERE
Smarter Youth Ministry click HERE