Keeping the Balance

Anyone who works in youth ministry (or any ministry) is constantly doing a balancing act.  For instance, youth ministers at non-mega churches have a lot of plates you have to juggle because oftentimes you are the only youth staff in charge of the whole youth program.  That means that you are responsible for all the communication, a lot of the contact work, leadership recruitment and development, curriculum and organizing/delegating just to name a few.  Mark DeVries is right on in his book Sustainable Youth Ministry when he says, “Youth workers who don’t feel over their heads, who don’t feel they’re overwhelmed and failing at times, may simply not understand their jobs” (p.111).

Large and mega church youth ministers juggle plates as well.  They have a lot of responsibility that I cannot even imagine.  When my good youth pastor friend Barry Hill from Vienna Pres. and I meet up to talk shop, there are many times when I thank my lucky stars I do not have to do some of the things he is in charge of.  Ultimately, what I am trying to say is that there is a lot of responsibility and “weight of the world on your shoulders” mentality doing youth ministry.

When you feel this pressure to perform, oftentimes, other areas of your life can suffer.  For instance, your family life, your exercise/physical health, and your social life can all suffer because you are so focused on building a successful ministry.  Trying to juggle your ministry and the other important areas in your life can be a big balancing act.  In fact, it has unfortunately been an act that I have done a very poor job at during different times in my life.

The question is, with all that you juggle, how do keep the balance and make sure everything that you are juggling is in balance?  Here are a few suggestions I came up with:

1. Make sure you are spending time with Christ daily.  This is a no brainer, but how can we possibly be the youth minister, father or mother, husband or wife, son or daughter, brother or sister, friend, or peer if we are not getting the true source of nourishment each and every day?
2. Take a day off. This is where I really struggle – just being honest!  But the reality is everyone needs a day off.  God modeled it and if He found the need/time for it, then we should as well.  Simple as that.  Use this day as a day to do housework or something fun for yourself.  Take a nap or even read a good non-ministry book.
3. Make sure you are making time for you and your family. Oftentimes youth ministers begin their careers as young single people.  It is at that point you can do whatever you want whenever you want.  God willing, you will one day get married and have children.  If that happens, make sure you take time for your family.  I have seen too many people in ministry completely neglect their family’s needs because their job “needs” them.  I know this happens in the business world as well, but let’s be honest – you don’t get paid enough to constantly sacrifice your family’s needs for your job. Sorry.  The world will not end if you turn your phone off or don’t check your email at least 1 day a week.  BUT, you could be on the road to your marriage and family ending if you do not make enough time for them.  Make time before it is too late!
4. Delegate! Jeremy Zach just did a great post in his blog about the top 9 mistakes made by youth pastors.  In it, his number 4 was to underestimate adult leader recruitment.  He states that “youth pastors like to fly solo”.  I agree with that completely and unfortunately that happens way to much.  The weight of the ministry does not need to rest solely on us!  There are many people who want to help and who are capable of helping.  What we have to do is to delegate to them.  I have found that when I delegate to others, the amazing thing is that more often than not, THEY WILL STEP UP and they will be more committed because you trusted them with this responsibility!  So do yourself a favor and delegate!
5. Eat better and exercise more. Youth ministers are known for junk food.  I don’t know about you, but most youth events or meetings usually involves some fattening food. Burgers, fries, pizza, burritos, lattes or mochas.  If only McDonalds or Burger King had frequent meal purchase points, I’m sure there would be many youth ministers who would have enough to buy their own franchises.  The reality is that food is an essential part of ministry, but partaking of it in globs does not need to be our m.o.  We need to eat better and really exercise (note to self – put that McSkillet burrito down and get outside to run!).

So what about you?  How do you balance your life so that you can have a healthy one?  Post a comment on how so that we can all benefit.

In addition, TAKE A MINUTE and examine all the plates you are juggling.

• How are you doing keeping them all up in the air?
• Are you dropping some?
• What changes do you need to make in your life to keep the balancing act going in healthy ways?