Choosing not to quit youth ministry can be a struggle. No leader wants to be a quitter, but every leader sometimes thinks about leaving and starting something different. I know leaders think about quitting because I’m a leader. And I think about quitting at least one a month.
I know there’s a time to walk away. And sometimes the best thing to do is quit, because God is leading you to walk away.
But something powerful can happen when you bravely choose not to quit. When you choose to stay—stay focused, stay determined, stay engaged and stay dependent on God—you fuel stability and consistency in the organization you lead.
Keep Playing!
While watching a documentary about Coach Steve Spurrier on the SEC Network, I was reminded of the power of not quitting. As a kid, Spurrier was an amazing athlete and an intense competitor. Although he didn’t start playing quarterback until his junior year of high school, he won the Heisman Trophy at Florida.
Spurrier saw the need for consistent leadership on the field. His high school teammates recalled that during every halftime, the QB shared one message. Spurrier looked into players’ eyes and reminded them that the game wasn’t over. So they should keep playing.
When Steve Spurrier became Coach Spurrier, that same mantra held true. No matter what, keep playing!
I need to hear that often. No matter what’s happening in youth ministry, we must keep playing, keep engaged, keep moving.
Choosing Not To Quit
When you choose not to quit, three things happen.
1. You choose to depend on God’s strength, not your own.
Every time I want to quit but I don’t? That is another opportunity to lean into God’s strength. By staying focused, I am also trusting God to do what I can’t in my own strength.
