Secrets to eliminating your stress--from children's
ministry veterans.
It's no secret -- children's ministry is a lot of fun. It's also
a lot of work. And no matter how you're involved -- whether
fearlessly leading the way or serving as behind-the-scenes support
-- there's little doubt that you know how it feels to be stressed
out.
Stress is a leading cause of burnout and attrition in children's
ministry. In fact, only a tiny minority of people in ministry say
they don't feel moderately to severely stressed at times.
We'll probably never be able to totally eliminate stress from our
lives and jobs-and a small amount of stress can actually be
healthy. But you can learn to manage unavoidable stress and
circumvent needless anxiety.
We gathered veteran children's ministers from across the United
States and asked them to reveal their secrets for de-stressing
their ministry. Here's what these been-there-done-that children's
ministers had to say.
Less-StressLeadership
No leader is immune to stress. And while some deal with stress
better than others, stress still erodes well-being and can lead to
physical and emotional problems. Fend off stress with these
tips.
• Take mandatory time off. Make one day per week a day
off and stick to it. Don't make any work-related commitments on
that day. Don't lead small groups or church-related functions.
Think of it as wearing a name tag that says, "Today I'm not a
children's minister."
• Get organized. Tidy your workspace. Evaluate how you
work. Learn to work smarter -- not harder. Delegate. Avoid
multitasking; instead, focus on completing one task before moving
to another.
• Think small. Organize your thoughts and actions by
breaking large tasks into smaller ones. Often large tasks may seem
overwhelming, but smaller pieces are easier to accomplish.
• Focus on decisiveness. Avoiding making decisions --
even those we dread-is a waste of time. Even a wrong decision is
better than none at all if we're forced to learn from and live with
the results. Be careful, be considerate, but don't
procrastinate.
Less-Stressful Recruiting
Keep these tips in mind to sidestep recruiting-related
stress.
• Make personal connections. Recruiting is often the
hardest part of ministry. Personal contact is your best avenue to
make connections with people that may lead to a fruitful crop of
volunteers. Much of your legwork will be done if you've taken the
time to build relationships with people before you tap them for
service.
• Make visibility a priority. Ministry fairs, bulletin
inserts, and good news announcements throughout the year keep your
ministry visible and familiar to your entire congregation. When
it's time to recruit, you'll have already advertised what your
ministry's about.
• Be choosey. Go for the best of the best when
recruiting. Steer clear of complainers who'll focus on the
negative. Gather volunteers who are fun, happy, and dedicated to
helping children grow close to Jesus.
Cash-Strapped Worry Lines
Tight budgets and funding shortfalls can be a constant source of
concern in an arena where it seems there's never enough
construction paper or animal crackers. Use these tactics to conquer
cash issues.
• Lobby for your needs. "There's always something --
playground upgrades, equipment breaking," says Dawn Engleman, a
children's minister in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania. "If a surprise
arises, I write a proposal with cost estimates." Documentation is
often the best way to prove you need better funding. Write
professional proposals with cost estimates and solutions for
funding sources, such as fund-raising, offerings, and general
funds. Organized information helps those willing to donate time or
money feel confident that the task will be accomplished in an
effective way -- upping your chances for support.
• Shine your image. The more you demonstrate your
ministry's vital role in your church, the less likely you are to
suffer funding woes. Publicize successes. Keep your kids visible in
your church's mind.
• Connect with your community. Go to secular sources or
businesses for funding help. Talk about your plans and needs.
Someone not connected to a church may be looking for an opportunity
to give back -- whether through goods or monetary donations.
Stress-Free Staff Relations
Here's hoping your staff relations are a source of joy -- not
distress. You can strengthen staff relations and sidetrack stress
with these pointers.
• Collaborate with your team. Even veteran children's
ministers learn something new every day. You've collected a team of
intelligent, caring volunteers, so why not gather their insights
into how to improve your ministry? Plan "potluck" meetings to
discuss strategies for success, and invite each volunteer to bring
an idea to the table.
• Supply resources. Always being "on call" is tough. So
take some of the pressure off by duplicating yourself and your
expertise through supplies and resources that help your volunteers.
Provide resources and training so your volunteers have access to
new ideas-even if you're not available for brainstorming
sessions.
• Foster community. Get together with volunteers and
their families outside your ministry. Sharing food and time
together strengthens bonds between people and encourages healthy
work relationships.
Totally Tranquil Teaching
Our hats are off to teachers, who deal with stress from several
different angles. So whether it's quashing misbehavior or growing
in assertiveness, here are the top tips from veteran children's
ministers.
Cool and Composed Classrooms
Classroom management can be the most stressful and frustrating
aspect of your ministry. Here's what the veterans say about keeping
a grip on classroom management.
• Focus on the positive. A kind word, a smile, a
compliment, or a pat on the back lets children know they're doing
well and their efforts are appreciated.
• Set rules. Establish three to five general rules at the
beginning of the year. Make sure kids understand the rules and the
consequences. Send copies home so parents also have a role in
helping kids with accountability.
