Why Ministry Leaders Need A Wellness Plan

I know this might sound a little personal, but my pants are feeling a little tight. It’s all those holiday cookies that I consumed without question. The kryptonite in the cookie jar? I couldn’t tell you because they all tasted good. If I’m honest, I let many good habits go during the holidays, and now that a new year is ramping up, I’m struggling to get any momentum.

My wellbeing is an ongoing battle, and that’s because life is constantly full of surprises and obstacles. But, to stay on top of my game and lead the way God wants me to lead, I need to make sure that I address my overall health before any strategic planning occurs. Because it does not matter how talented you are, if you can’t lead on a full tank, you have little to offer others.

If you are hoping to get some momentum going in your ministry and grow as a leader, make sure you:

MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

It does not matter if you work in a local parish or volunteer for a Christian nonprofit; your mission is centered in Christ. To stay focused on that mission and vision, you need to make sure you invest in your own personal relationship with God. Prioritizing time for prayer and other reflective activities (e.g., journaling) will allow you to put God first and not lose sight of what matters most.

I don’t know about you, but I tend to overthink this principle by looking for creative and new ways to pray. The best thing to do is to start small and simple. Anytime I need to get back on the spiritual treadmill, I tend to start with 10 minutes of reading scripture followed by journaling. For you, it could be picking up the rosary or going through the Liturgy of the Hours. There are several apps out there to assist you in your prayer life; pick one and get started.

Not only will a prayer life help you reconnect with God, but it will allow you to release stress and anxiety. You are not only passing on your worries to your Creator but giving yourself a chance to process the emotions and thoughts going through your mind.

CARE FOR YOUR PHYSICAL WELLBEING

I am more productive and think more clearly when my body feels good. Taking care of my physical wellbeing can be tough when so much of my time is spent in front of a screen or meeting at some fast-food restaurant. When I’m at my lowest, I’m using candy and coffee for the extra boost, my sleep dips down to about five hours, and my Fitbit is just a regular watch. The result is poor productivity, and I become the world’s biggest jerk.

While I love running, I know I need more than that to stay healthy. Monitoring what I eat, limiting the screen time, and protecting my rest is crucial to leading well. As ministry leaders, we need to look at ways of staying more active, and that means protecting our time.

Like any change, it is critical to start small. Try:

• Setting a timer on your watch to go for a 5-minute walk.
• Before you grab a snack or a cup of coffee, drink a bottle of water first.
• Shut down your screen-time 30 minutes before you go to sleep.

If you want to go bigger, sign up for a workout class, change up your diet with a plan (I use the Whole 30®), or track your sleep with a smartwatch. After all, our bodies are a temple, and if we want the Holy Spirit to work through them, we have to make sure they are in the best shape possible.

INVEST IN THOSE THAT MOVE YOU FORWARD

Making any of these changes is difficult on your own, and that is where accountability is so important. Even if you are married or dating, you need someone who will address bad habits and ask you the question, “How are you doing?” They need to be able to sniff out any excuses, and you have to trust that they are critiquing you with love.

But, because our lives are complex it is good to have accountability partners or teams for different areas of your life. I have one for my personal life, a leadership team for my ministry, and an advisory board for Marathon Youth Ministry. Those groups of people are effective when I make time for them and be honest with them. And no matter how often you meet, the group must pray together.

REDISCOVER THE THINGS THAT BRING YOU JOY

Life is more than work, eat, and sleeping. Interesting leaders lead interesting lives. As cliche as that sounds, it is absolutely true. So, what do you do for fun? You don’t have to be good at it, but it should bring you joy. In addition to running, I love to cook, go hiking, and camp. Another side activity I recently picked up was a movie club. Every week our group picks a movie to watch (on our own time), and then we spend an hour discussing what we enjoyed, what we didn’t, etc. All of the activities I mentioned are the moments and opportunities I look forward to. When my work becomes a grind, I know that I have opportunities in my life to bring relief and remind me that life can be fun.

Like everything else mentioned in this post, discovering a habit or hobby takes time. It would be best if you reshuffled your schedule to let these things into your life. Suppose you have to blow up your schedule; that is okay. If you are unsure what drives you, you then let us know, and we can help. Marathon Youth Ministry offers the MCODE™ Assessment Coaching, where we answer the question, “What gets you going in the morning?” This is available for individuals and teams. For more information, click HERE.

You are called to be a leader, and while that might look different for each of us, one thing that does matter to everyone in your health and wellbeing. As you head into your workweek, remember to mind your time and revisit what matters most. Taking those small steps will set you up for big success and longevity in your ministry.

What habits, hobbies, or practices help you thrive in your ministry?

Looking to grow as a leader? Marathon Youth Ministry offers coaching and cohorts for the busy ministry leader to succeed in accomplishing their God-given mission. To get started, click HERE to set up a free consultation.