Work Smarter Not Martyr

The other word for "martyr" is "dead". If you don't like that word, maybe you need a different way of doing ministry.

Way back in the last millennium - I think it was around 1984 - I was three years into youth ministry and I was burning out.

90 hour weeks. Trips, camps, classes, parties, turf time... I was trying to do too much to often with too many people and always feeling like I couldn't do enough, so I decided to use a week of my continuing ed to attend a Youth Specialties conference in El Cajon. One of the workshop leaders, I think it was Les Christi, suggested that "to do more ministry more often more effectively with more kids, you need more help."

Then he talked about budgeting, and said something brilliant: "You should be spending 1/3 of your youth budget on adults."

I took that advice home, and took it to mean both money AND time. (Your only non-renewable currency).

Kidnap them in a Winnebago at midnight in their pajamas and take them out for pizza. Bring them to concerts, coffee and Colorado camping. Treat your adults like a "big kids youth group" and build the kind of fun, fellowship, and (in those days) 'brotherhood' that builds a real team. Then you can spread the ministry out and reach more kids.

One person can only do so much.

It's the end of the school year. Summer schedules are about to kick in. What could you do this week that will build your team for next fall? What memories can you create with the adults you have - and the ones you'll be targeting for your team next fall - that will start building the kind of team that you want and grow them into a tight group of committed friends?

Do something spectacular this summer with the volunteers you value. I don't think the book of Acts would have ended the same way if Jesus hadn't gone fishing with his friends. You need to perk your peeps, feed the fold, nurture the nurturers, guide the guides, care for the caregivers, foster the friendships and let them see your heart, your passion, your care. Then invite them to join you in reaching kids for Jesus.

Work smarter, not martyr.