The Power of Time Management in Youth Ministry

Youth ministry is an incredibly demanding job. Between planning Bible studies, leading youth activities, recruiting volunteers, and caring for the needs of the families we serve, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why time management skills are essential for any youth minister.

Create a Schedule - One of the best ways to keep your youth ministry on track is by creating a schedule that outlines your priorities and deadlines, monthly, weekly, and daily. This will help you stay focused on what needs to be accomplished and when. You should also include some buffer time so that you’re not rushed to meet deadlines or cram too much into one day. It is super easy to just run from thing to thing without prioritizing your time. It only takes a short time to do it, so take the time to prioritize your schedule.

Delegate Tasks - As a youth minister, it can be tempting to take on every task yourself but this isn’t sustainable in the long run. Instead, delegate tasks to volunteers who have the necessary skillset or passion for the job. This will help ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner while also giving volunteers an opportunity to learn new skills and invest more deeply in your ministry.

Set Boundaries - Setting clear boundaries is key if you want to manage your time effectively as a youth minister. It’s important to remember that there is only so much you can do in one day, so don’t overextend yourself by taking on too many tasks or committing too much of your time away from home or family life. Your spouse and your kids will know they are more of a priority than any ministry you are doing, and they will thank you in the long run.

Take a Sabbath - Sabbath sounds like an old fashioned word, but in his book, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” John Mark Comer, reminds us that sabbath is not just an OT rule but it is part of our discipleship — Jesus did it so should we. Remember God is slow, he doesn’t rush, so the more time we spend rushing from one thing to another the further we get away from our target. That means once a week, tell your supervisor that you will not be answering phone calls, texts, emails, or any form of communication unless they use an emergency code. And stick to that: set the phone aside, turn everything else off, go on a hike, make some food, play outside with your kids, read some comic books, just enjoy the day and decompress. It will do your heart and ministry well.

The Benefits of Time Management

Time management offers several benefits to anyone who takes the time to make it part of their daily routine. Some of these benefits include:

• Improved Focus – When you use your time wisely, you can stay focused on the task at hand without feeling overwhelmed or distracted by other things that need to be done. This can help you accomplish more in less time and make sure that you get the most out of every day.

• Increased Productivity – When you use your time efficiently, you can be more productive and accomplish more in less time. You will also be able to do a better job because you won’t be constantly switching between different tasks or projects.

• Stress Reduction – By taking control over how you spend your time, you can reduce stress levels and ensure that you have enough energy to get everything done that needs to be done each day. This will help create a healthier work-life balance and reduce burnout over time.

Let’s be honest, Youth Ministers are not known for their time management skills. A wise man once told me, either you drive your schedule or it drives you, and you will be taken over by the tyranny of the urgent. As a pastor we are given charge of families that need our best, to give the best we need to slow down and take time for ourselves and our families. In AA they use an illustration that is apt here: When you are on a plane they tell you in case of emergency to put your air mask on before you help someone else put their air mask on. They say that because if you don’t have oxygen you may pass out before you can help anyone else. So take care of yourself before you try to take care of others. If we can help you slow down and take a needed breath let us know.