You're Not Behind. You're Carrying Too Much

A week would fly by and despite all the hard work and late nights I felt like I was still behind.

Behind on planning for the next week of formation.
Behind on follow-up emails to parents.
Behind on the goals I wanted to accomplish at the beginning of the year.

I'd feel like a failure, as if I was doing something wrong.  But here’s the truth:

Feeling behind doesn’t automatically mean you’re doing something wrong.

Often, it's a sign of awareness and the need for change.

Ministry asks a lot of us. Not just more programs, but more emotional presence. More adaptability. More availability. More explanation. More accountability. More care for systems that were never designed to carry this much weight.

When expectations out pace our capacity that's when we feel like we're falling behind. While we're all gifted and talented we are not meant to be superheroes. The Church doesn't need another Savior, so we have to remind ourselves:

• We don’t have to fix everything right now.
• We don’t have to catch up before you’re allowed to rest.
• We don’t have to prove our faithfulness through exhaustion.

Sometimes the most honest response is simply to admit: This is heavy.

This is actually why we created spaces like the MYM SPRINT Cohort—not as another program to manage, but as a short-term container where ministry leaders can slow down, clarify what matters, and stop carrying everything alone. Registration closes this week, and if you’re feeling this weight, it may be worth taking a look—not because you’re behind, but because support matters.

And whether or not now is the right moment, we share reflections like this regularly by email—written for people who love ministry but are tired from carrying it. You’re welcome to join us there.