What To Do When You Hit A Ministry Funk

Beep! Beep! Beep! The alarm was going off for the third time and once again I was about to hit snooze, but that’s when I saw the clock and knew I couldn’t wait any longer. I’m typically a morning person, getting up at least an hour before anyone else in my house, but I was struggling to get up. In fact that whole week I didn’t want to get out of bed. I wasn’t depressed or worn out, just a lot going on and I wasn’t ready to face it. If anything I was scared to take on the mess ahead of me.

This happens from time to time where I don’t want to face the day. Some of it is due to busyness, other times its self-doubt, I like to just call it a funk. Not sure if you’ve ever hit a ministry funk, but it stinks. How do I get out of it? Sometimes it’s a matter of being patient and believing it will be over soon. But, even that can be difficult to swallow, that’s why I make a habit of:

UNLOADING THE MESSINESS IN MY MIND

If your mind is racing or in a fog, it’s not easy to think straight and get stuff done. Just like a messy room, it’s best to declutter. My preferred method is journaling. I take a pen to paper and just write down the words, statements, and phrases floating around. Some people I know like to color or draw, but getting what’s going on in your mind and putting it in front of you can put things in perspective.

Another strategy is talking to someone who will just listen. While a spouse, family member or friend can do this finding a spiritual director or therapist is better. They’ll be more objective and give you permission to be raw with your emotions. No matter what you do, don’t hold onto the mess that happens inside. Process it in prayer, share it with someone who can sort through it with you so that you can clear your mind and possibly alleviate the burden of a ministry funk.

WALKING TOWARDS SOMETHING MORE PEACEFUL

Even Jesus went off to spend time in solitude and prayer. It’s important to step out of the trenches, check-in with God and our thoughts, but it’s not always clear how to do that. While attending a retreat would be ideal, the planning, and coordinating to do that isn’t always possible. That’s where you need a hobby or place that can serve as a mini retreat. That could be:

• A long run or walk
• Hiking along your favorite trail
• Going to your favorite hangout for a cup of coffee
• Getting in the car and going for a long drive

But, here’s the thing, you need to disconnect from all distractions. Either leave your phone at home or put it on silence. Allow the experience of walking away and disconnecting free your mind. One of the reasons we get into a ministry funk is because we forget how to breathe and exist outside of the business.

REVISITING THE INVESTMENT I MAKE IN MYSELF

Another reason I hit a funk is that I forgot to keep growing. I got too comfortable in my ways and all of a sudden the change around me feels like it’s too much. To stay sharp and not grow complacent in ministry we need to be able to invest in our own development. That means:

• Attending conferences and workshops
• Reading books, blogs and articles to help us grow
• Listening to podcasts and attending webinars
• Collaborating with people in our profession who can challenge our minds to grow

If you are looking for a new way to invest in yourself I want to encourage you to join an MYM Huddle. It’s an online cohort designed to bring you into a community that provides content and accountability to help you approach ministry in a new light. When you sign up for an MYM Huddle you get:

• Training Videos with practical insight and application
• Downloadable materials for you and your team
• Collaborative classes
• Online coaching from an experienced youth worker

Right now we offer 3 courses (Confirmation, Small Groups, and Volunteers) for individuals and a new youth minister cohort for dioceses. You can sign up for one of our individual courses at any time. If you are a diocesan director looking to bring a cohort to your diocese reach out to us HERE.

If you’ve ever felt like your ministry is a mess and you don’t want to address it, know you are not alone. It can happen to those starting out and those who have been in the trenches for decades. Ministry is a journey and to do it for the long haul you’ll have seasons when you need to grind it out, but you don’t have to do it on your own.

Have you ever experienced a heavy period? If so, how did you get out of it?

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