MYM Blog

Where You Should Focus Now To Get Ahead In The Next Year

Written by Christopher Wesley | Nov 30, 2017 7:30:52 AM

Are you just praying for that little break between Christmas and New Years? You know those few days when you can just press pause on ministry and BREATHE?

It’s easy to go into survival mode during the holidays. We tell ourselves, “I just got to get through one more party, or one more event!” It’s easy to go from being proactive to reactive but that’ll just  SET US BACK.

It’s during this season of Advent when we have to not only prepare but evaluate the health of our ministry. And while there can be a thousand places to look three that should have your focus over the next four weeks are:

PUTTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT ROLES

Are you moving towards your goals? You could have the right plan, strategy and vision, but if the right people are not in the right roles it will slow down your progress.

Sit down with your core team to look at who is doing what. Evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. If someone isn’t in the right place try them somewhere differently.

When you determine someone is in the wrong place be sure to meet with them one on one and face to face. Ask them, “How are you doing?” And “Are you getting the most of your volunteer experience?”

Share with them your concerns and let them know of your plans. If they push back tell them you are just trying it out for a season and you’d like to reevaluate a little later.

 

By putting people in the right roles it will not only put them in the place where they are meant to serve, but create alignment amongst your team. It’ll be a great start to the new year.

INVESTING IN THE SPIRITUAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING OF YOUR TEAM

Ministry is a grind for our volunteers just as much as it is for us. They’ve faced disappointment, frustration and stress. And some of them are ready to quit.

Don’t let their efforts go unnoticed and take some time to invest in them by:

  • Checking in with as many as possible with one on ones
  • Organizing a retreat day or training that equips them for the second half
  • Surprise them with simple; yet, thoughtful rewards (i.e. Starbucks gift card)

Love on them, train them and continue to pour into them. Your efforts to check-in and evaluate their energy will allow you to lead them better.

If you need help with planning a retreat day or training for your team check out what Marathon Youth Ministry has to offer HERE

TAKING AN HONEST LOOK AT YOURSELF 

How are you doing? Does anyone really ask you that during this time of year? It’s a challenge to pause and evaluate our own lives to determine whether or not we are getting the most of our calling.

The other day, leadership guru Michael Hyatt released The LifeScore Assessment™  tool. This awesome little resource helps you measure different areas of your life so that you can answer the question, “How am I doing?” It’s totally free and you can take it HERE.

But, sometimes you need more. Sometimes we’re so stuck in the trenches of ministry we need someone to help us:

  • Take the next step towards our goals
  • Reassess our schedules and priorities
  • Get up and out of the trenches so that we can see the bigger picture

If you’ve been feeling that way I want to encourage you to sign up for a FREE Marathon Youth Ministry Consultation. We’ll take 30 minutes to just talk about your situation, I’ll share with you my insight and propose a plan moving forward. To set that consultation up just click the button below.

FREE COACHING CONSULTATION

Don’t head into another year not knowing how you are doing. Take the next four weeks to focus so that you can make sure next year is the best year yet.

Which of these three areas do you need to focus on this Advent?