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I number of years ago, I wrote a blog post for YM360. They asked for something that helped youth workers begin to think about their summer and how to make to most of their time. So I wrote, Make the Most Out of Your Summer. The article included three quick thoughts that youth leaders could apply to their summer planning with the hope of setting aside some valuable time for themselves, their families, and the students they served. You can read the original post here, Make the Most Out of Your Summer.
1. Think About How You Would Like to Grow this Summer
For many of us, summer brings the slow-down factor. Schools out, families go on vacation, students are off to camp or summer jobs; and the church takes on a light summer schedule. The busyness of programming, small groups, bible studies, and school events all take a back seat to summer. This is a great time to do something that helps you become a better youth worker.
Read a couple books. Take an online class. Take an in-person class. Set out to study a book in the Bible you've been avoiding. Set to meet with someone that you respect who you might learn something from. Use the lighter schedule to do something that will help you grow. And ProTip; maybe what you need to grow in isn't youth ministry. Maybe you need to challenge yourself and look at a topic or practice that will truly challenge you. 2. Schedule A Dreaming Weekend
In the business of the school year, we don't always have time to dream big, God-sized dreams. Most of the time we're just trying to keep our head above water and our students (and sometimes leaders) from hurting themselves. We have study time, meetings, message prep, program planning, 1-on-1's, bible studies, parents to meet with, pastors to meet with, volunteers to meet with... Too often we go from one appointment to another appointment. Where in this busy schedule do you ever have time to dream about and for your ministry.
Schedule some time in your summer to dream big dreams. I would suggest setting aside a weekend for yourself or your team, to go somewhere, and simply begin to ask the, What If? Don't try to figure everything out or plan details, just ask, "God, what would you have us do?" Then let the ideas flow. And, don't be afraid to dream big, crazy, God-sized dreams; the kind of dreams that when you see them on paper you say, Only God could make this happen. It's okay to dream, so go and dream big. 3. Spend Some Time with Your Spouse
In my original article I wrote about spending time with your family. That would include your wife and your kids. Whether a family vacation, trip, or adventure, spending time with the family is always a win. But how about setting some time aside to be with your spouse? Your spouse is often one of your biggest cheerleaders, and at the same time, the person who might sacrifice time with you the most.
Set aside some time to spend with your spouse. I'm not thinking a day, though that might be a good start or the best option depending on your season right now. No, I'm talking about multiple days. Perhaps a weekend. An extended time away from the normal routines of life where you can simply be together. A stay in a hotel. Travel to a local destination location. Book an air b-n-b. Have a romantic dinner. And if any of those ideas are not possibilities, call on some friends, siblings, or grandparents and ask them to take the kiddos away for a night or two and plan the most amazing, romantic stay-cation you can imagine. The point is, don't neglect your spouse for the sake of your ministry. Us the summer as an opportunity to reconnect and appreciate your spouse. 4. Practice A Hobby This Summer
Maybe you have a hobby, maybe you don't. Either way, take some time this summer to practice a hobby. If you have a hobby that you already enjoy, see what it would be like to take it to the next level? If you don't have a hobby, find one and get started with it this summer.
Over the years I have found myself getting deeper and deeper into building a garden and growing vegetables. It started with just a few tomato plants, some cucumber plants, and a couple peppers in my backyard. Today the list of vegetables I plant is close to 20+ items; many of which I start as seeds. In the late summer, early fall, I harvest my veggies and either can, dry, or freeze the bounty. Doing this gives me time to be outside, get my hands a little dirty, and do something that has become very therapeutic for me. Your hobby might not be found playing in the dirt, but a good hobby can be a healthy distraction from the stress and busyness of ministry.
5. Build A Healthier Plan for the Coming Year
The point of all of this is to take some time to focus on you and what matters most to you. Whether it's your physical health, your spiritual health, or your emotional health, your family, your spouse, or your future, you need to take time to care for you. But time caring for you during the summer months doesn't really change anything if you don't establish healthier practices all year long.
This summer might be a great time and space for you to begin to think about your over all health more long-term. Taking control of your calendar, creating space and time to work out, having dinner with your family, studying or have a quiet time, this are all things that can become healthier habits that lead to a healthier life.
I know for me, personally, I plan on establishing a few new, healthy practices for both my family life and my ministry life. As I get older, I am becoming more and more aware of my need to have margin and balance in my life. I am also feeling the realities of not always choosing a healthy diet or exercise plan for myself. At the same time, I am realizing that I need to be healthier (emotionally and spiritually) for my family, my students, and my leaders.
At a recent youth leader conference with my NNYM co-laborers, we were reminded that if wanted to see others around us thrive, we need to be thriving in how we live. I'm not ready to burn out because I didn't take the time to prioritize and prepare for the life and ministry that God has called me into. I want to see him work through me, in the best ways possible. I hope that you might want to say the same. Join with me this summer and together, let's set out to have the best summer ever...for YOU! - the youth worker daily
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Meet JayJay Higham is a veteran youth worker of over 30 years; having worked with students in the local church and Christian camping. Jay is married to Amy, his wife of 28 years. They have raised 5 kids, (4 boys and 1 girl). Jay is passionate about student ministry, family ministry, and connecting and networking with youth workers to help them serve their students with passion and excellence. Archives
June 2025
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