Should you take a break from student ministry for the holidays and cancel your regular program for the week? I hear this question a lot from youth leaders, and my response is a resounding, "Yes!"
On a recent episode of my podcast, Student Ministry Connection, I shared five reasons why it's important for you to take a break over the holidays.
1. Ministry is Not About A Weekly Program
We are not in the business of running a student ministry program. We are in the business of leading student ministry. Our purpose is much bigger than a program. What we do is much more than what happens one night a week, so not meeting for a week does not mean ministry stops.
2. Volunteers Need A Break
Our leaders need a break every once in a while. Most of them work or are in school themselves, and volunteer on top of all that. They need time to rest, be with their families, and travel. By not meeting, we honor our team of volunteers.
3. Creating Space For Families Is A Core Value
Our parents need some family time with their kids. Yes, not all of our students come from good homes, but many of them do. And others might have better families if we give them back some time every once in a while. I encourage you to not flood the event calendar so much that students are rarely with their families.
4. You Need Time To Recharge
As youth leaders, you and I need a break as well. Most of us don't give ourselves, or our own families, that gift very often. Some of us might not even remember the last time we took some time off. Holidays are there for a reason. Use them!
5. Rhythms of Rest Enable Effective Ministry
Breaks can increase the health of our ministry. They give us time to rethink, plan ahead, and maybe make a change. It's sometimes weird to make a change from one week to the next, but after two weeks off for Christmas and New Year's, for example, it makes more sense that a change would take place.
What About Students Who Don't Have A Healthy Home Environment?
You may be thinking about students in your group who don't have a solid family to spend time with over the holidays. If you feel led (and your own family agrees), invite them to join you for your holiday celebration.
I encourage you not to feel guilty for taking time off. In the end, you might have some students who are bummed, but most families will thank you for the break, and your own family and ministry will benefit.
Merry Christmas!
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Steve Cullum is the Colorado State Coordinator for NNYM. He has been serving in student ministry since 1999. Steve blogs about ministry and hosts the Student Ministry Connection podcast. He also enjoys playing Nintendo, being outdoors, and watching movies.