Early on in my career, I would approach summer as if I were still a student in school. Plan a few events, but take the time to check out and rest up. I would feel good going into the summer, but as fall got closer, the panic began. While I was checked out, I was not prepared for the fall. August would pop out of nowhere, and panic would ensue with only a few weeks to prepare.
Ministry is a lot like running. As a runner, I’ve learned that you cannot run long distances if you do not take the time to prepare. If you rush your training, you will struggle and risk injury. Not only do you need time to prepare, but you have to have a method or a system. And just like running, the more intentional and systematic your preparation, the stronger your outcome. Put in a strategy that involves:
As you go into your summer, start thinking about what you want to accomplish in the next three months, six months, and year. But, instead of just writing down goals, put them into a narrative that tells the story of a healthy ministry. Get a piece of paper or open a new document on your desktop and detail the fruit that your ministry will produce in the next year. Don’t be afraid to write down what winning looks like and how lives are changed.
After you write a visible outcome, answer the question, “How will we get there?” The answer might be purchasing a specific resource or recruiting a particular individual. But, if the answer to the question is, “I don’t know.” then don’t give up. Reach out to your diocese, a veteran ministry leader or even us (You can do that HERE) and ask for help.
By creating a visible outcome, you give yourself a finish line. When it comes to running, it’s crucial to think about the finish line and what type of race you want to run. It’ll impact your training, and what seems like a lofty goal becomes manageable. As you enter into the summer break down the year, think about what hitting those mile markers looks like.
Summer is an excellent time to spend with teens and kids because there is a little more flexibility without school. And while every parish should be coordinating camps and summer get-togethers, it cannot come at the expense of investing in your ministry leaders. Make sure you set up meet-ups with your catechists, small group leaders, and peer ministers. These gatherings can be to learn something new or get to know one another. Share with them your visible outcomes, and invite them into the planning. Give them permission to share their perspective and offer suggestions.
The most important reason you want to meet with your leaders throughout the summer is so that the responsibility of creating an incredible year does not just fall on your shoulders. Just as training for a race with others brings accountability and encouragement, so does planning out another year of ministry. The success of next year does not just sit on your shoulders. Your responsibility as a ministry leader is to bring the faithful into the community to catechize and evangelize. Use your time this summer to build the trust and rapport you have with your team, and you’ll go into the fall stronger than ever.
It’s summer, and you should take a vacation, don’t disappear. And in addition to vacation, you need to figure out different ways to grow. Maybe your growth plan is signing up for a retreat or meeting with a spiritual director. Finding time to renew yourself spiritually is just as important as finding time to physically and mentally recover.
Summer is also an excellent time to dive into a ministry book, course, or cohort to help you grow as a leader. Find something to stretch your mind and push you to hit the next level. As a runner, you are supposed to build up your core by engaging in different exercises like running hills, Yasso 800s, and lifting weights where at first it might feel tangential, but over time you’ll reap the rewards.
Embracing an attitude of self-care can feel like a distraction from serving others and bringing people closer to Christ, but it enables us to do ministry for the long haul. Take time this summer to establish a routine that you can take into the year, and if you want to inquire more about what MYM has to offer, click HERE.
This summer should be a season of fun. It’s important to enjoy flexible schedules and embark on new adventures during the warmer weather. But, make sure you don’t disconnect from ministry completely. Make this season restful and productive. Invest your time and energy in building up a foundation so that when you run the race of ministry, you can experience joy.