With the move from 8th grade to 9th grade, our parish had a whole year to dream and plan our Confirmation preparation. It was an opportunity I didn't think I'd get, especially since I had just started at the parish and needed the margin.
With that time we recruited the right people, sat down with families, and got a clearer picture of what needed to be done. Because it was a parish wide decision, there was little to no pushback. An anomaly for sure, but definitely worth repeating.
Whenever I'm working with parish leaders and talk about change, the biggest pushback I hear is, "I don't have enough time." It would be easy to respond, "You have to make time." But if someone doesn't know how to do that, the advice isn't helpful.
If you feel like you don't know how to make the time, here are a few small steps I've taken when starting or overhauling a ministry.
Look at your schedule and ask yourself, "Is there one thing I can take off?" Maybe it's a camp, an event, or even one Sunday of faith formation. There will be a short term impact, but you can use that time for long term growth. Instead of the event or class, attend a workshop, train your team, brainstorm with coworkers, or go on retreat.
At first you're doing less direct ministry. But you're also strengthening the foundation of what you do, forming yourself and the people around you, and stepping back to see the bigger picture.
The all or nothing mentality will stop you in your tracks. We think, "If I can't do all of it, then it's not worth doing any of it."
If you find a few minutes here, or a half day there, to strategize and dream, do it. If you don't revisit it for a few days, that's okay. Take the time you get, and remember that you and the ministry are a work in progress. It's not about getting it perfect on the first try.
Failure might sting, but if you treat it as a learning experience, it'll help you grow. Don't give up on a healthy habit or a chance to think big just because you can't give it a full day.
When you have an idea for change, write it down and share it with someone. It might not be perfect, but getting it down makes it tangible. You can tweak and improve it later, and it's less likely to be forgotten.
Once you write it down, put it somewhere or set a reminder to revisit it. Even if you don't get back to it right away, keeping it on your radar will help you process it.
Change is hard and takes effort. Dropping everything to think big or overhaul a ministry isn't always practical. But building habits and taking on a different perspective can help you slowly change direction.
Just start with one of these ideas. Leave your thoughts and experiences in the comments. You have what you need to start or rebuild.