Is Your Ministry Feeling Stuck?

You’ve tried everything and nothing changes. You’ve changed your program times and invested in new content but the results are the same. People aren’t showing up, no one is committing to serve and you are stuck. What once was your dream job has now just become a job.

There will be moments when ministry feels like work and that’s okay. The reality is there are seasons of growth and pruning. But, those seasons where you feel stuck can feel like torture. When that happens it’s important to:

TAKE A STEP BACK AND GAIN A FRESH LOOK

When you are in ministry you are in the trenches. Every day can feel like a battle, so taking a break can seem like an impossible task. But, you cannot afford to keep going. Taking a step back is essential to gaining a fresh look and you can do that by:

ATTENDING A PERSONAL RETREAT

Sometimes the largest obstacle to your ministry’s health is your own. Working in parish ministry can be emotionally, physically and spiritually draining. If you aren’t practicing self-care it will wear you down.

Look for a retreat where you can turn off the noise and focus on your relationship with God. After the retreat look for someone to give you spiritual direction or council. Put your relationship with Christ first so that you can help others do the same.

ORGANIZING A PLANNING DAY WITH THE TEAM

Planning days with your team should be a regular part of your ministry calendar. It’s a day where you and your core volunteers can answer the questions:

• Why do we exist?
• How do we know if we’re moving in the right direction?
• What’s most important?
• Where should we invest more time and resources?

You need to ask these questions so that you can make sure you are on the right path (For more on investing in your team check out the Advantage by Patrick Lencioni). Talk about your answers and decide what needs to change. If possible bring someone from outside your ministry that has expertise in managing these meetings.

If you want to learn how Marathon Youth Ministry, INC can help you with your team click HERE.

BIG TIME CONFERENCE

Conferences are the opportunity to be motivated, fueled and energized. They should be a place where you can network with other youth ministers and sharpen your skills. The conference you want should offer a mixture of:

• Networking with other in the trenches youth ministers.
• Worship and spiritual fulfillment.
• Motivation and inspirational keynotes.
• Challenging outside the box workshops.

It might cost you a few bucks to bring your team, but the return on your investment is worth it. You’ll see your leadership capacity extend to a new level.

Getting your ministry moving takes investment in yourself, your team and your strategy. Don’t be afraid to take a step back to look at the big picture. The fresh perspective will give you the clarity you need to move in the right direction.