Why This Summer Should Be Different

They took the netting off of our neighborhood park’s playground. It’s just in time for summer. It’s been nice to see some things open up, and even if it’s temporary, it can give us a chance to do something beyond a virtual meeting. As local jurisdictions loosen restrictions on shelter in place, a few youth ministers I’ve talked to are wondering, “What should we do this summer?”

As things open up, the temptation is to look at our calendar and fill the empty slots. We miss our teens; we don’t like the idea of a summer with no camps, retreats, or adventures. And while we might want to rush the reopening process so that we can all get together, I’m wondering if that should be the priority because a new type of summer is a unique opportunity to do the things your ministry’s vision requires. So, before you plan that hike, outdoor bonfire or drive-in movie:

THINK BIG WITH YOUR VISION

As the weather gets nicer, I like sitting on my back porch, taking in the sounds, smells, and sights of summer. It’s an opportunity to slow down and reflect on some big picture items like my ministry’s current health and how I want to improve it. It’s a valuable exercise that allows me to challenge the status quo and get beyond the adage, “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”

The summer is not only the perfect time to focus on your vision but invite others to be a part of the conversation. Before you fill up your summer with programming, make appointments to chat with people about the bigger picture. Do some research, attend a webinar, or jump in a course.

Summer is the perfect time to invest in some big ideas because you don’t have the same pressures as the fall. Use your time to gain feedback, insight, and information to help you go big for the fall.

THINK SMALL WITH YOUR STEPS

One of the reasons we are reluctant to change is because it can feel overwhelming to hit pause and do the work to change. If you think of a road trip, it’s far more enjoyable when you incorporate pit stops. The pressure of getting it all done in a finite amount of time is immense, and that’s why you have to remind yourself that change is an ongoing process.

As you incorporate a plan, don’t squeeze it into the summer. Flesh out your strategy over the next year, and mark pit stops where you can hit pause and make sure you head in the right direction. Break down the big vision into manageable goals. As you hit each small step, celebrate, and use the joy of achievement to keep moving forward.

THINK BETA TEST

Not only do you want to stretch out your plan, but you want to create room for innovation. If there isn’t room to fail or make mistakes in your ministry, then you’ll always find yourself controlled by the expectations of perfection. Summer is a perfect season for beta testing content, strategies, and ideas because people are a little more relaxed.

To get started with a beta mindset, find a small group of teens and adults who can commit to helping you peel back the layers of what you are trying to do. Have them use the content, test the idea, and provide you with feedback. If there is a success, expand the group, and keep making adjustments. When you reach the end of the summer, you’ll have a more robust strategy that you can take into the fall, and the risk of failure won’t seem so daunting.

This summer is going to be different on so many levels, so why not approach it with a different mindset. Surround yourself with a team to help you ask the right questions. Start investing in the long game and implement a few ideas that could help you this fall.

How is your summer going to look different?