Why Ministry Leaders Feel Behind

I never like the first day back in the office after taking time away. Opening up email, the big question in my mind is always, “How many messages am I going to have to dig out of?” Most times it isn’t as bad as I imagined—but the anxiety still shows up.

In fact, one of the reasons I struggled to step away from my office—whether for vacation, professional development, or even ministry in the community—was the fear that I would fall behind. But the longer I kept myself busy with small to-do’s, the further behind I actually felt. It’s when we focus on the big rocks in our lives that real progress happens, yet those are often the first things we neglect.

I wish I could tell you to take a full day, reset everything, and reprioritize your life. But that might be asking too much. So the more honest question is this:

How do you reset and reprioritize when you’re already on the go?

Name the Problem

Many of us try to muscle through busyness with the same thought: “If I just work harder—one more minute, one more hour—I’ll catch up.” But we can’t keep lying to ourselves.

When our expectations outpace our capacity, we don’t become more effective—we enter an endless cycle of busyness. At some point, something has to change. The first step isn’t fixing it all. It’s admitting that the pace you’re keeping isn’t sustainable.

Share the Burden

Figuring out what needs to stop—or what needs to change—was never meant to be done alone.

If you’re in ministry, you’re probably very good at walking with others. But are you just as good at letting someone walk with you?

We all need people—outside of immediate family—who can listen, help us name what’s actually happening, and think with us instead of just reacting. This doesn’t have to be formal. It can start with one person you trust enough to call and simply ask, “Do you have a minute?”

Sometimes clarity comes not from more thinking, but from being heard.

Interrupt One Small Pattern

When people hear advice like “Start saying no” or “Create a stop-doing list,” it can feel overwhelming—like they’re being asked to make some massive sacrifice all at once.

Instead, start by interrupting one small pattern that keeps the busyness going.

For example:

• Interrupt constant output by calling one parent and simply asking how their teen is doing.

• Interrupt digital overload by reading five pages of that ministry book that’s been sitting on your shelf.

• Interrupt sitting and scrolling by taking a ten-minute walk around the church building.

• Interrupt nonstop input by eating lunch away from your phone and computer.

These aren’t about becoming more disciplined. They’re about loosening the grip of habits that quietly drain you.

Even if it’s not consistent, it’s still progress. Chip away at what’s weighing you down and pay attention to the momentum that follows.

You might be at a point where you need more than a small interruption—and that’s okay.

If you don’t have someone to reach out to, or if you know a deeper change is needed, reach out to us at questions@marathonyouthministry.com, or set up a meet-up with us here.

It’s okay if you’re not okay. Ministry is messy. And sometimes getting back on track doesn’t start with a new plan—it starts by acknowledging where you are and asking for help.

You don’t have to carry this alone.