Need more margin in youth ministry? You’re not alone! Youth ministry is a marathon filled with a thousand sprints. Whether it’s jumping from camp to camp over the summer or getting ready for fall kickoff, it’s easy to get wiped out. If only you had some margin.
Margin is one of the biggest tools a youth minister can use to grow a youth ministry. The problem is we lose it quickly and never increase it. That, unfortunately, to lead to major burnout.
6 Ways to Add Margin to Youth Ministry
Feel like your ministry is moving too fast? Want more margin? Then you need to:
1. Take a moment to breathe.
That might sound impossible to just stop what you are doing. But that’s essential to getting margin back. Even if you can just give yourself one hour to work out a calendar, schedule or to-do list, it’s worth it.
2. Re-examine your priorities.
If your week feels like a rollercoaster, then your priorities aren’t in order. Granted, life might happen. But if you know what needs to be done, you can get back on track quickly.
When you get a moment to breathe, list out what you do. And start asking, “What has to be done?” Keep working at the list until you have an order. If it’s not 100%, keep working at it.
3. Start saying “no.”
Sometimes you need to say no to good opportunities in order to make time for great ones. It feels like a rejection, but it’s really a protection of your time and priorities.
4. Make your calendar public.
Distractions are the biggest enemies to margin in youth ministry. They use it up quickly and will totally override us if not careful. Cut down on distractions by making people aware of your schedule.
Let your volunteers know when you are going home and not to disturb you unless it’s an emergency. Communicate with coworkers when you need to spend time on your message so there is complete focus. Communicate your time, and people will be able to respect it.
5. Schedule in some margin.
One reason you don’t have margin in youth ministry? Because you aren’t intentional about it! So add it to your calendar. Give yourself an extra five minutes to transition to a meeting. Put in 30 minutes to grab a bite to eat. Make margin a part of your day.
