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In Part 1 of this short series, we followed Julie, a 10-year youth ministry vet, as she spent some of her “fall doldrums” time reinvesting in training and strategic reflection.
With a fresh wind blowing in her ministry sails, Julie left her youth leaders luncheon with Jeff Henderson, author of Know What You’re FOR, ready to implement what she had learned. Henderson’s “recipe” for effective leadership includes celebrating what God is already doing in your ministry. So Julie immediately started planning a celebration time with her team. Of course, Julie’s leaders serve not because they get rewarded for it, but because it’s a calling. Nevertheless, Jesus himself loved celebrations and often slowed down to enjoy time with his “co-laborers.”
Results of Julie’s Celebration for her Staff
Julie used the celebration time to remind everyone of who they serve, and why. That brought a greater understanding of what members of her team were doing ministry FOR. Discovering this sense of purpose helped pull Julie’s whole team out of the fall doldrums.
None of this would’ve happened if she hadn’t prioritized a season of rest and reflection, leveraging the natural seasonal rhythms of her ministry life to carve out space for it. Based on what Julie learned from Henderson, she adopted his “three steps of reflection” for her ministry:
- Step One: Rest and relax.
- Step Two: Journal your thoughts and emotions.
- Step Three: Have fun and enjoy nature.
Results of Rest for the Youth in Julie’s Ministry
As a result of this “breathing space,” Julie realized the youth in her ministry were wrestling with the same “fall doldrums” challenges. She decided to change up her teaching series to help give the youth practical help navigating their “dead time.” She was determined to convey a simple message to her kids: I am FOR you, no matter what.
Julie chose to focus her teaching on the story of Noah and how he remained patient and committed while waiting on God. After the first week of this series, many students approached Julie, sharing how much her teaching had resonated with what they were dealing with in that season.
Now Julie has a new pattern and rhythm to her ministry: Celebrate, rest, and relax in Jesus. This new rhythm has rejuvenated Julie’s soul and given her ministry a new, more targeted focus. Because Julie slowed down long enough to reflect, she also experienced how much Jesus is FOR her. That knowledge continues to propel Julie through the stagnant doldrums.
Photo by Nijwam Swargiary on Unsplash
Group Publishing offers online certificates and training programs with Group U. They’re perfect training tools as you enter the fall doldrums!