Every decision I made was being questioned. Every idea I had was tossed aside. Any new plan or event I thought could be great felt like it was being tied up and thrown on the railroad tracks.
It was an extremely difficult season to navigate in ministry, and I wanted to quit.
If you've been in youth ministry for any length of time, you've probably felt that way too. Maybe it wasn't the exact same situation, but you know what it feels like to be beaten down, overwhelmed, discouraged, and unsure if you can keep going.
In seasons like that, I've found that the best thing for me to do is come back to three simple things.
1. Remember Your Calling
God was the one who called me into ministry. I'm not just walking down a path I picked because I thought it would be fun or easy. God directed me toward ministry in the first place.
So when things get difficult, I need to ask some honest questions.
What was my original calling about?
Am I still called to this?
Is God calling me to a different ministry, a different place, or a different group of people to minister to?
During seasons of difficulty, I often find myself reaching back to that original calling.
Sometimes that means reading notes from that time in my life. Sometimes it means going back to scripture that shaped me in those early moments. Sometimes it means talking to people who were instrumental in helping me recognize God's call when I was a young man.
Those reminders help me remember what God called me to at first, and they help me discern where I need to be right now.
2. Seek Out Mentors
That leads to the next thing. If I'm struggling in ministry, I know I need to seek out people who are older and wiser than I am.
Thankfully, that's usually not too difficult to find.
In almost any church setting, there are probably saints around you who have been believers longer than you've been alive. That means they've read scripture, seen pastors come and go, walked through hard seasons, and followed Jesus for a lot longer than you've been in ministry.
Seek them out.
Ask if you can buy them a cup of coffee or breakfast and learn from their wisdom.
If you already have a mentor in the faith, ask for a phone call. When I'm feeling discouraged, I call Bill. He's been an elder at our church for a long time, both in the biblical and literal sense. He's also a great confidant and a steady source of encouragement for me.
If you're new to this, here are a few questions that can help get the conversation started:
- When you've faced difficulty, what biblical truth helped you get through it?
- How have you navigated seasons when you questioned your calling?
- What would you tell a younger ministry leader who feels discouraged and overwhelmed?
If you don't have a mentor, asking a veteran believer in your church to coffee during a difficult season is a great way to begin that relationship.
3. Have Some Fun
When life and ministry are difficult, everything doesn't have to be doom and gloom all the time.
In fact, that might be the exact moment when you need to plan something you love and make time for it.
- Do you love board games? Get some games on the table and invite some friends over.
- Do you like to hike? Head out to the trails and see what you can find.
- Are you more of a movie person? Grab a ticket, get some popcorn, and catch the latest flick.
Whatever gives you joy outside of ministry and church life, make room for it.
I've had moments when I was doing something fun and ended up having a breakthrough about the very ministry situation that had discouraged me. Sometimes getting out of the routine gives you the space to think clearly again.
Perspective can come from a mountaintop, a camping trip, a board game night, or an afternoon with your phone turned off.
God gave us the ability to enjoy His creation and His people. We get to experience good gifts all around us, and sometimes we need to receive those gifts without feeling guilty.
You Don't Have to Walk Through It Alone
Ministry will be difficult. That's part of the nature of the thing.
But even in the hardest seasons, God is still with you. He has also placed people in your corner to support you, encourage you, and walk with you through the valleys and dark places.
Get in a network. Lean on them. Lean on Him.
You may find clarity about where you're headed next, or you may simply find the strength to navigate the season you're in right now.
Either way, you don't have to walk through it alone.
