On Tuesday I turned 28 years old. I thought I’d share 28 things I wish someone would have told me when I was 20. (They probably did, but I wasn’t paying attention.):
- Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Jesus cares more about young people and the church than you do.
- Youth ministry is just one important ministry in the church – there are others.
- You can’t please everyone … so why try?
- People will criticise you. Just get used to it.
- Three months from now, you won’t even remember most of the things that are bothering you today.
- You can’t do it all. Stop trying.
- God called you because He is good, not because you are.
- Become close friends with other youth leaders in your town (as many as you can).
- Your ministry isn’t your god. God is your God.
- You know how to give and how to minister to others. If you don’t learn how to receive, you’ll burn out and/or die.
- Studying for talks and sermons doesn’t replace your personal time with God and in His word.
- Believe in people that others overlook.
- If you’re going to reach people that others aren’t, you’ll have to do things that others won’t.
- Your integrity matters more than you can imagine.
- Be careful what you say. You’re being watched (and recorded).
- Don’t return emails when you’re angry.
- Only read emails a couple of times a day – don’t be a master to emails.
- Turn your emails off on your day off – focus on you and your family.
- Check to make sure your microphone is turned off before you use the toilet. Double-check.
- Compliment, encourage, and build up your staff and volunteers.
- Hand write thank you notes.
- Don’t criticize others’ ministries. Yours isn’t nearly as perfect as you think it is.
- Take care of yourself. Eat right. Rest. Exercise. Take time off. No one else can do that for you.
- If you don’t take much time off, it’s because you’re proud, and you think you’re more necessary than you really are.
- Don’t just delegate responsibility. Delegate authority.
- Laugh frequently.
- People will leave your church. People you love and trust will leave your church. Don’t take it personally.
