Early on in ministry, I had a volunteer who would call me on Saturday mornings to ask about the Confirmation curriculum. Now, she was a kind and pleasant person — definitely not trying to be disruptive — but the timing was tough. I was newly married, and the last thing I wanted to do was jump into ministry work on my off day.
I didn’t want to upset her because she worked during the week, and I knew her availability was limited. But it was becoming a real problem. I remember sharing this with a colleague who asked me, “Are you more afraid of offending this volunteer’s feelings or your wife’s?”
That hit hard — in a good way.
I finally talked to the volunteer, letting her know I wanted to be accessible but asked if we could find another time to talk. She was more than understanding, even a little embarrassed, and totally willing to adjust.
In ministry, there’s this unspoken expectation to be “on” 24/7. And I get it — people are dealing with real needs. But if we don’t set boundaries with our time, our personal lives will suffer. Whether you’re married, single, have kids, or are religious, you can’t live your ministry all the time. Yes, there are exceptions — like anointings or retreat prep — but they should be the exception, not the norm.
So how do you create an accessible ministry that doesn’t lead to burnout?
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Ministry isn’t 9 to 5, but it’s also not 24/7. What you want is consistency. When people know when you’re typically available, it’s easier to manage both your time and theirs.
For example, if your office days are Sunday through Thursday, communicate that clearly. If your days off float week to week, folks won’t know when to reach you — and you’ll end up feeling like you’re never off the clock.
At my first parish, we had flexible schedules, but we all communicated that Fridays were off-limits. Emergencies? Sure, but a volunteer would answer the phone, and the rest of us were off.
As the youth minister, I told families the best times to reach me were Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, and Thursday nights after the high school program. That left me time for prep, prayer, and deep work — while also giving people a predictable window to connect.
Want a fast response? Call me. Want something less urgent? Email works — but don’t expect a same-day reply.
I rarely gave out my cell number to parents or volunteers. Not because I didn’t care — but because I knew if I didn’t protect my personal time, no one else would. I also made myself available in between Masses or after programs for quick chats. Again, predictability is key.
This was the game changer. I built a team that could speak on my behalf.
Questions about a small group? Talk to the leader. Need paperwork help? Call the front desk. Curious about upcoming events? Ask one of our ministry reps.
Sure, sometimes they got things wrong. But those were teachable moments. And because I invested in training and trust, over time, they lifted a huge burden from my shoulders.
You can’t be the sole gatekeeper for every ministry conversation. And you shouldn’t be. When you create boundaries, communicate clearly, and empower your team, you create a healthier and more sustainable ministry.
But here’s the thing: you’re not just protecting your time — you’re modeling a way of life.
You’re showing your volunteers, your staff, even your teens and their parents what it means to live a balanced, faithful, and intentional life.
Boundaries don’t mean you care less. They mean you care wisely.
They allow you to show up fully when it matters most — not just exhausted and available.
So start with your schedule. Claim your off days. Communicate your hours. Build your team. And remind yourself (as often as needed):
Being available 24/7 doesn’t make you more faithful — it just makes you more fatigued.
Ministry isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon.
How do you create boundaries and communicate accessibility? Share your thoughts in the comments below.