Rooted is providing a schedule template (attached below) to help you plan for the summer months ahead. We pray you’ll be able to build in time for rest with loved ones and refreshment in the gospel so that you may continue to pour out his grace to teenagers.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
As a middle and high schooler, Christmas wasn’t necessarily the most wonderful time of the year. The food and presents were great, but the break wasn’t long enough. Summer was where it was at. There was no school for weeks on end, vacations and trips, and tons of time with friends. I would even make summer “bucket lists” and try it squeeze as much fun as possible out of the warm, sunny months.
But now that I’ve been in student ministry for several years, my perspective has switched. When it comes to summer, I honestly sort of dread it. And when it finally ends, I’m relieved to have made it through and survived. I begin counting down the days to Christmas, my new most wonderful time of the year.
Summer Break?
Before going into youth ministry, no one warned me about the challenge of summer break. And it is a challenge. Why is it that I sometimes dread those weeks and months that students look forward to with such excitement?
A few things come to mind that make summer break particularly challenging for youth ministers. First, the summer months are notorious for inconsistent attendance. Sports, travel, and competing camps prevent students from being able to attend weekly.
Then there is the lack of routine and rhythm common during the summer months. With camps, vacation Bible schools, and mission trips, it often feels like no two weeks are the same. For those of us who thrive on routine and consistency, that makes summer feel unpredictable—and exhausting.
Lastly, for many of us youth ministers, summer is a time of travel which can mean lots of time away from family. Camps and mission trips can take us away from our spouses and children for weeks out of the summer.
All of these things can make summer feel like the most challenging and exhausting season of the year for youth ministers. In reality, the term “summer break” is an oxymoron for those in youth ministry.
Summer Survival Kit
I don’t want to dread the summer each year. Although the summer has several challenges, it also presents many opportunities to grow in relationships with students and disciple them. Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare for and use the summer months well, to the glory of God.
Mentally prepare for what could be a wearisome season. Knowing that the summer can be an exhausting and discouraging time can help you when those feelings come. Remember that summer is just a season. As my father-in-law often says, “you can do anything for a season.”
Talk through your calendar with those who care about you most. Find a calendar that works for you, and then fill in everything that you know will be happening during the summer. Include youth gatherings, youth trips, large church events, and vacations. Talk through these things with your spouse, kids, staff, volunteers, and close friends. Allow them to give feedback on whether or not the calendar is too full and the pace is unsustainable. If you’re going to be away from family for a week or two, plan times around that to be with them in intentional and fun ways.
Give yourself grace for the “unproductive” weeks. Some weeks during the summer will simply feel unproductive. In my context, that’s Vacation Bible School week. We have ours in the morning, so the by the time noon comes and the kids have gone home, our staff is exhausted. I often get back to my office and have little energy and focus for the rest of the day. It can feel like an unproductive week from one perspective. Sure, I may not get a lot of reading, teaching prep, or event planning done. But the reality is, I’ve spent the whole morning loving and sharing the gospel with little ones. In terms of ministry, what could possibly be more “productive” than that (Mark 10:13-15)? Remember your limits, and give yourself grace when the day (or week!) feels “unproductive.”
Spend the extra time doing the things you can’t normally do. Summer is often a roller coaster of really busy and really slow weeks. During those slow weeks, make time to do the things you can’t normally do during the school year. Maybe that’s reading a book, reorganizing the youth room, or recreating with that busy student. Though some students may become busier during the summer, most are less busy and more available for some relational time. Consider easing up on regular programs like youth group, leaving margin to begin or accelerate some discipleship relationships with particular students.
Plan some extended times for spiritual renewal and refreshment. Use the summer to intentionally pursue some spiritual refreshment. For most youth ministers, the fall and spring is a time of pouring out through weekly teaching and discipleship. Extended times of renewal aren’t as achievable during the normal school-year rhythms. Though many summer weeks will be busy, some will feel like a sudden downshift. When those slower-paced weeks come, receive them as a rare and precious gift. Use those slower days and weeks to practice some silence, solitude, and prayer. Grab your Bible and a journal, find a place of natural beauty, and spend some leisurely time with God. Ask him to speak to you about the condition of your soul. Don’t even use this time to pray and plan for ministry. Just enjoy some time with your Father and allow him to minister to you.
Plan for the semester ahead. Lastly, the summer is the best time to prepare for the semester ahead. Summer allows you to get out of the weeds of week-in and week-out semester ministry, and to get a bird’s eye view of things. Use these weeks to plan your teaching and event calendars. Use it to evaluate and tweak your ministry vision and strategies. Do the long-term and big-picture planning that doesn’t happen as easily during the semester.
Come To Me
As exhausting and discouraging as the summer can be, it can also be an opportunity to receive Jesus’ invitation to rest. Jesus invites those who labor and are heavy laden to come to him to find rest for their souls (Matt. 11:28-29). He invites Martha to slow down from her busyness and activity to sit at his feet (Luke 10:41-42). And he invites his disciples upon their return from ministry to come away to a desolate place to rest with him (Mark 6:31).
Sure, I still sort of dread summer, and I’m relieved when it’s over. But I’m grateful for Jesus’ invitation to rest even in the midst of a busy and wearisome season. I’m thankful for how he is able and willing to sustain me through it. And I’m grateful that the gospel tells me that even before I can say about the summer with relief, “It is finished!” he has already spoken this word over me from the cross. “It is finished!” I have nothing to earn and nothing to prove. Jesus can bring rest, even in the busiest and most wearying seasons. May he do so for you this summer, and every season thereafter.
We hope you’ll join us in Chicago for Rooted 2025—an annual conference for youth and family ministers to grow in the gospel, October 23-25.
