The Slow Work of Ministry: Celebrating Small Wins In Groups

In any form of ministry—whether it’s children’s ministry, youth ministry, or any form of catechetical formation—there’s a real pressure to see instant results. We worry about losing our young people to the distractions of the world, and that urgency can make us feel like we need to teach and accomplish everything all at once. But after years in ministry, I’ve learned something crucial: real growth happens slowly over time. And that’s okay.

Shift the Focus to Small Wins

Whether you're leading a children’s program or working with teens, it’s easy to get frustrated when we don’t see dramatic change right away. But the truth is, ministry is often a series of small steps forward. It might be a child remembering the meaning of a Bible story you shared weeks ago or a teen inviting a friend to join a youth group event. These moments, though they might seem minor, are signs of growth and are worth celebrating.

Recently we had a leader talk about our new phone policy, and that by removing devices from small groups teens started to open up more and share. It's small, but opens the door for further engagement down the road. We took that win as a way of saying, "We're doing a great job of creating engaging opportunities."

Be Patient With Leaders, Too

This urgency for results often spills over to our ministry leaders. Whether they’re volunteers in children’s ministry, catechists, or youth leaders, there’s a common desire to see big results quickly. When those results don’t come, leaders can feel frustrated or even discouraged. This is where patience becomes key.

One thing I try to instill in our leaders is the importance of looking for small victories and being patient, not only with the young people we serve but with themselves, too. The process of formation—whether it’s with kids, teens, or even adults—takes time. And while the fruit of our labor isn’t always immediate, that doesn’t mean it’s not growing. I often suggest leaders keep a journal or find other ways to reflect on their experiences. For me, looking back helps me see just how far we’ve come.

This was driven home when a group of leaders working with the same group for three years were reflecting on how much their group had grown. Starting out it was hard to get them to take anything seriously, but now that there is trust and rapport it's easier to have authentic and meaningful conversations. One of the boys in the group even asked his small group leader to be his Confirmation sponsor. 

Share the Stories of Transformation

Sometimes the best way to encourage a leader who is feeling frustrated is to share the stories of transformation that have taken place over time. This is true whether you’re working in children’s ministry or youth ministry. When a leader hears how another catechist or youth minister saw progress after months (or even years), it’s a reminder that real change takes time.

It can be especially helpful to create opportunities for leaders to share with one another, whether through team meetings, volunteer gatherings, or even one-on-one conversations. Networking with other ministry leaders helps everyone take a step back and realize that we’re all part of something bigger—and that God’s work doesn’t always happen on our timeline.

Engaging Parents in the Process

Patience isn’t just something for ministry leaders—it extends to the parents of the children and teens we serve as well. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s important for ministry leaders to connect with parents beyond the typical drop-off or pick-up. Building relationships with parents allows us to partner with them in their child’s faith formation.

When parents see that the Church is invested in their child’s journey, it strengthens the work we’re doing and creates a sense of collaboration. This partnership helps reinforce the faith lessons we teach, and it also gives parents a way to see those “small wins” themselves. Whether it’s a young child sharing what they learned in religious education or a teen discussing a lesson from youth group, the more we engage parents, the more we help them see that spiritual growth is happening.

Patience and the Long View of Ministry

Whether you’re working with children, teens, or catechists, the temptation to focus on immediate results can cloud the real purpose of ministry. Over time, I’ve learned that the key is shifting our focus from those big, instant transformations to the small, steady steps of growth. When we notice a teen stepping into a leadership role or a child excited to share what they’ve learned, we see the real fruits of ministry.

My advice to any ministry leader is to embrace the small wins. Take time to reflect on where you’ve come from, share those moments of change with others, and remind yourself that God is working—even when you can’t see the results right away. Patience doesn’t mean we’re passive; it means we’re allowing room for God to move, trusting that the work we do today will bear fruit in His time.