Before I say anything else I want to say this, you are awesome! This job has moments when it can be really rough and feel like you are failing but please do not ever forget that you have one of the most important callings in the world. The calling to reach the youth around you is not only a calling that effects the church today but it will affect the future of the church moving forward. 

I want to share a couple things with you that I hope will help you as you go through the course of your ministry. 

Do not get too far from the source.

We are blessed to live in a time when there are thousands of amazing resources out there for youth workers to use. There are creative plans to reach and grow your ministries. There are amazing curriculums that are written by some of the smartest and most talented leaders in youth ministry. However, do not get so caught up in these you forget to start with God. He is our source for everything and the guiding hand in our ministries. If we start with Him, He will bless everything that we do. 

Understand the dynamic of seasons.

There is one thing about seasons that never fail, they change. Whether good or bad, it is easy to look at the current season of your ministry and expect that this is how it will always be. We serve in ministries where the only constant is change. When I was growing up, my mom worked in the school system and had one of those old scrolling screen savers on her computer. For years, it said, “And this too shall pass.” I never really understood that statement until I got into ministry. When we embrace this truth, it will help us to keep from making quick reactions that can harm our ministry. When we know that, the changes can hurt less. 

Be optimistic.

When we look over the news or talk to people there is a negative sense about how people view youth today. However, I am here to tell you (even though I am probably preaching to the choir) that this generation is one of the most passionate and caring groups that we have ever seen. They are a generation that is incredibly passionate about social justice and dedicating themselves to a cause they deem worthy. The good news is that we have the most worthy and important cause that has ever existed. As Greg Stier says, “it is The Cause not just a cause.” Let’s remind our students that the Gospel is the greatest gift that has ever been offered and watch them blossom into the future leaders of the church. If done correctly, they will take the church farther than we have ever dreamed possible.

Take care of yourself.

It is easy when balancing the hectic life of ministry with the ever-growing school activity schedules of your students to get burnt out and feel like there is not enough hours in a day. One of the first things we neglect is our health and our family. In all of this “balancing,” you will have to make your family and your health a priority. If we do not take care of our physical and emotional health, then it will not take care of us. The same goes with our family. If we neglect our family, we will never get that time back and bitterness and resentment can grow. Both scenarios could possibly cause you to walk away from ministry forever. Please get serious about taking care of yourself and your family. 

There are more things I could add to this list. However, I would love to see things you would add to this list in the comments below. Before I end, please know that you are called to one of the most important ministries in a pivotal time for the church. Be faithful and keep moving forward.