Tips for Preventing Burnout in Youth Ministry

Teaching and leading others in faith is super cool and totally rewarding, but it can also get tiring if you don’t take care of yourself. Even though you probably don’t want to admit it, burnout in youth ministry is real. And it’s not a bad thing, even if it feels like it sometimes. Everyone knows that serving others is near and dear to youth ministers’ hearts, but it’s really hard to pour from an empty cup. Have you ever heard the phrase “self-care is key?” Well, it is, and so is soul-care! Let’s talk about some of the ways you can prevent burnout as a youth minister.

Don’t Forget, Even Jesus Took a Nap

It’s easy to forget about the importance of rest. With so many people relying on you, you may feel like you’re “not allowed” to rest. But the good thing is, you are allowed—and even encouraged to! Remember all the times Jesus laid down to rest, showing us that rest isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of trust in God. How many times have you crafted a really convincing lesson plan and preached about the power of rest? A million—well, probably pretty close. And how many times have you taken your own advice? Probably not quite that many.

As you know, the Bible talks about rest more times than we can count. Obviously, God wants us to rest on the Sabbath day, but He also gives us time and opportunities throughout our day-to-day to practice the forgotten art of rest. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus tells us to come to Him when we are tired and stressed, and He will lift our burdens and give us rest. So, clearly, God doesn’t just want you to preach about rest; He wants you to take some yourself! Here are some super easy ideas:

Schedule a nap like it’s a staff meeting (because it kind of is, at least for your mind, body and soul).
Take a walk (and not in the mean, “get out of here” kind of way).
Make time for a peaceful bath (don’t forget the soaks and candles).
Do something that brings you joy (read a book, bake some desserts, stare at a tree—whatever makes sense to you).

Find Your People (a.k.a. the Ones You Don’t Have to Chaperone)

Spending a lot of time with young people is awesome and usually pretty fun, but as a youth minister, you need some grown-up friends, too. Whether it’s other ministry leaders or members of your church, or even a close friend who laughs at your terrible dad jokes (remember, they’re not laughing at you, they’re laughing with you), you need someone to bounce your thoughts off of. So, grab a snack and head to your favorite spot for a vent or prayer session, whichever fills your tank (maybe both).

Batman had Robin, and Moses had Aaron!

Since June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk about something that a lot of guys seem to carry: the pressure of doing it all, all the time, all by themselves. Repeat after us: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Just like Batman had Robin, Moses had Aaron to help him fulfill his calling. Seriously, it’s okay to let others take some of the responsibility. Delegate like it’s your spiritual gift! Ask for help from other ministers or volunteers when you need it. Like you, they enjoy serving others, and serving you is no different! Not only will your sanity thank you, but you’re also helping others grow in leadership—you really can’t lose!

Along with handing off some of the responsibility, try not to be perfect, because, well, you’re not! Scripture consistently reminds us that there are none perfect—except for one, and that is God. What a relief! Being perfect is impossible, so all you have to do is your best as an imperfect soldier for Christ, and let God do the rest!

Reconnect with Your Power Source

The ultimate way of preventing burnout in youth ministry—who are we kidding, in life, too—is to become besties with the Almighty Creator! While you can’t literally call Him up on the phone or send Him funny memes like your earth-bestie (although that would be cool), He is always with you, and you can always talk to Him through prayer. To prove it (even though we know that you already know), Psalm 145:18 says that “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” So, make time to pray to God and call on Him every day!

Although prayer is a great way to get close to God, it isn’t the only way; reading Scripture is a huge part of it. We know you stay in your Bible to prepare lesson plans and worship events, but how often are you cracking it open to fill yourself up? Scripture is there to help us grow closer to God, and we usually feel better after just one simple passage. Grab your notebook, highlighters and sparkly pens and have a mini Bible study session just for yourself.

You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup

Youth ministry is a marathon, not a sprint—and your body is your engine. Trying to fill others’ cups when your body is feeling drained is pretty hard, so fuel up! Skip the vending machine and eat yummy, healthy foods, fill your fancy reusable bottle with water to stay hydrated, and move your body—even a quick stretch or a light walk counts! And don’t believe it when you hear “sleep is for the weak,” because sleep is actually how you stay strong! Instead of loading up on caffeine (although the occasional cappuccino never hurts), make sure to get at least six to eight hours of good sleep. No flashy fads here; just a simple secret sauce that keeps you sharp, focused and ready to show up for your people!

Youth ministry is an extremely rewarding gig, but it can also be a tough one if you’re not prioritizing soul-care as a minister (we knew that phrase would come back up). Now that you know some strategies for preventing burnout, it’s time to get refreshed, start pouring from a full cup and set that positive example for your youth group! If you ever start feeling overwhelmed when it comes to t-shirts for your youth group, just reach out to the awesome team at Uth Stuph, and we’ll do all the hard work for you!