WHERE DID SUMMER GO?

Every August, I’d find myself asking the same question: Where did all that summer go—the one I thought I had to get ready for the fall?

The truth? Between camps, summer events and mission trips there was no time. And when I finally found it, there wasn't much of it because of everything that needed to get done before kickoff.

By the time kickoff week rolled around, I was both tired and excited. While it felt like a lot of work to get the ministry off and running for the fall, there was relief. I loved seeing everyone return and hearing the hum of ministry life again. But that relief was short lived because once the ministry got going, so did the need for tweaks, changes, and mid-course corrections that no amount of summer planning could fully predict.

What's my point?

If you’re feeling that rush of anxiety right now, here’s your reminder: Getting ready for the fall is not like getting ready for a one time event. It’s a year-long journey and like every seasonal transition we have to embrace it with a soft start mentality. In other words it's all about:

REMEMBERING THE BIG PICTURE

This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Your calling is bigger than just “getting the program up and running.” You’re here to build relationships—with the kids, teens, parents, or adults you’re walking with this year. Set the tone now that what matters most is connection, not perfection. So, before the craziness ensues:

SCHEDULE TEAM CHECK-INS

Don’t just launch and disappear into the calendar. Put two quick check-ins on the books now: one for 30 days after launch, and one right before Christmas.
Use these to:

• Hear how your team is really doing

• Identify small adjustments

• Keep morale high

When you schedule team check-ins it'll remind you to invite others into the process of growing your ministry.

INVITE OTHERS IN

Don’t do it alone. Find an accountability partner or a trusted colleague you can share your stresses, emotions, and ideas with. They don't need to be able to fix your problems or bail you out. Their main purpose is to keep you focused, sit with you through the madness and celebrate the wins. Ministry isn’t meant to be a solo sport—invite people to walk with you, both for support and perspective.

SET AND REVIEW GOALS

Goals keep you focused, but only if you revisit them. Choose one day (maybe mid-fall) to stop, review, and adjust. Ask:

• Are we making progress?

• Are these still the right goals?

• What needs to shift?

Review these goals with your pastor, supervisor or your entire team. Allow them to help you make the adjustments needed to keep on growing.

PRAY AND RECONNECT WITH YOUR WHY

Begin with God.

Regularly go back to the One who called you into this ministry. When you pray, you remember that your worth isn’t tied to flawless events or perfect attendance. It’s about faithfulness to the mission.

Fall kickoff is just the beginning. If you pace yourself, check in with your people, revisit your goals, share the load, and stay grounded in prayer—you’ll not only make it through the year, you’ll enjoy it.

Remember, ministry is about more than events and calendars. It’s about showing up consistently for the people God has placed in your care. You will have moments where plans change, volunteers drop off, or the unexpected happens—that’s normal. What will carry you through is not having the perfect program but having the right posture: one of flexibility, humility, and trust in the Lord’s timing.

Give yourself permission to start slow, to learn as you go, and to adjust along the way. You are building something that lasts far beyond the school year. So take a deep breath, look at the people around you, and thank God for the privilege of walking with them. That’s the real win.

What is one habit you can commit to this fall that will help you remember the long haul?