Ministry is anything but easy. Especially when there are big events to pull off and busy weekends to make happen.
For some of you, this is all the time. Over the years I’ve found these heavy seasons can be very fruitful – many people coming to Christ. Creative teams rising to the next level.
But I’ve also found it to be a strain – a strain on physical health and family health. Holiday weekends can fly by without hardly seeing your family. If you’re in ministry you know the tension.
So there are a few things I’ve found to make these busy seasons fruitful: fruitful for your health, your family, and your ministry. Yes, it’s possible to live both. And trust me, I’m not teaching from a place of mastery here. I’m writing to where I want to be. We’re all human, flawed, broken, struggling, and in this together.
Some of these points are for those who have a spouse and children. Families make all of this a bit more complicated but it’s also possible to be unhealthy as a single person in ministry.
6 Tips for Surviving Busy Ministry Seasons
In the midst of a busy season? This is for you (and me):
1. Immerse Yourself in the Vision – While the Church has events, church is not primarily about events. While the Church is a group of people, it’s not primarily about people. Church is about God and His glory. It’s about spotlighting the perfections of Jesus for the world to see. In the midst of crazy seasons, to-do lists, and rehearsals, how easy is it to forget this all-important goal? Immerse yourself and your team in the person of Jesus. Behold Him, worship Him, talk about Him, spend time with Him.
2. Communicate with Your Spouse – I’m usually terrible at this. But talking through these busy seasons in advance will cover over a multitude of arguments. Prepare your spouse for what is ahead and communicate with vision. Talk about the ministry your doing. Talk about your expectation of changed lives. You and your spouse may not be doing the same ministry together, but your unity is the most important aspect of your ministry. And that unity of heart, mission, and prayer is the real ministry.
3. Plan Intentional Family Time – I’m writing this during Easter week. So much insanity awaits. But we made some time this week to visit the Easter Bunny and to have some good family time together. There’s no excuse not to do this. Ignoring your family because of ministry busyness is unacceptable. Don’t let it happen. A calendar and a couple weeks ahead will work wonders. Another idea? Bless your spouse with arranging some childcare so they get a break during the craziness. I’ve also found a lot of joy having my kids with me during rehearsals. Small children don’t need expensive entertainment to be happy. Most of the time, they just want to be with you.
4. Empower Your Team – Let’s be real. Big events can be a drain on your team. Strong leadership can help sustain and keep everyone focused on bigger picture. When fatigue sets in, empower your team. Make sure they know the vision. Whatever you do, make sure they feel appreciated. Speak it and show it.
5. PRAY…a lot – What would change in your team if you didn’t just offer up desperation prayers right before a worship set? What if your ministry was literally saturated in prayer? Pray before rehearsal, during rehearsal, after rehearsal. Pray before service, during service, after service. Having issues with your team culture? Watch this turn it around.
6. Pay Attention to People – Do you know it’s possible to do “ministry” but ignore the people around you? It’s possible to be so focused on the technical aspects of your role: leading worship, managing Planning Center, aiming a camera, advancing Pro Presenter, or punching light scenes. But don’t allow these ministry seasons to fly by without focusing on the people around you, and seeing them move from death to life, despair to hope, failure to victory.
Let’s talk it out. How do you pull off big events and busy ministry seasons? Your comments may be exactly what a worship leader across the world needs to hear.
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[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
Great advice.. Thanks David!