It’s an immense privilege to walk with teenagers through the many ups and downs of their lives. We get to teach them God’s Word, wrestle through hard questions with them, and enjoy all the event planning and late-night retreat leading that student ministry involves. But it can also be exhausting and even discouraging. We want our work to be drawing students toward lifelong faith in Jesus. But if we’re not careful, it’s easy to let our work become simply, well, work.
We might be letting weariness or bitterness eat at our hearts. Maybe we’re running on empty and simply checking the boxes to make our programs happen each week. We might be relying on our own strengths and years of experience to lead our ministries, rather than letting it reflect Jesus’s work in and through us. It’s so essential as leaders that we care for our own souls so that we can minister as an overflow of what God is doing in our own hearts.
I’ve experienced all of these seasons, so I don’t write as an expert, but I do want to encourage all of us to prioritize—meaning schedule, plan, and protect—the health of our own hearts and our closeness to the Savior. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23, NIV). Below are a few simple but valuable practices I have found to keep my heart healthy so that a healthy ministry can flow from it.
Let God Speak To Your Heart Through His Word
I know we read and study the Bible a lot. Most of us teach it weekly, maybe even twice a week. But I’m not talking about the work of exegesis that we do to prepare to get students into the Word. I’m talking about the quiet times of your day when you approach God’s Word not as a subject to be studied and mastered, but as nourishment for your own soul. His Word is alive and active (Heb. 4:12). It is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey (Ps. 19:10). The Word is a delight and a counselor (Ps. 119:24). I get to start my day hearing the voice of God speak directly to my heart through his own Word, written for me. Scripture (particularly, the Psalms) has been the greatest sustenance and encouragement for my heart in difficult seasons of life and ministry.
Reframe Prayer As Your Most Important Work
If I’m pretty good at carving out time each day for God’s Word, prayer can feel harder. Sitting in silence in the early morning can cause me to drift off, or I’m suddenly distracted by everything on my to-do list. I need this reminder as much as anyone: there’s nothing on my to-do list more important than prayer. All of the effort that goes into helping students to love God’s Word and walk with Jesus—none of it will do any good if the Holy Spirit doesn’t work in their hearts!
Jesus said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). Those of us who are employed by a church have the enormous privilege of being able to take some time out of our work hours to lift up our students, our volunteers, our ministry, our church, and our community to God in prayer.
That’s an amazing gift! Let’s not squander it by foolishly thinking we have more urgent tasks to accomplish or that we can do ministry on our own. I’m learning to sit in silence more for prayer, but if you’re like me and easily distracted, there are so many other ways to pray. Journal your prayers. Go on a prayer walk. Print a prayer guide to keep you focused. Even better: enlist a prayer warrior at your church to meet you weekly at a set hour for prayer. This has become a highlight of my week!
Carve Out Time For People Who Energize Your Faith
Who in your life regularly draws you to Jesus—every time you’re with them, you leave with a little more joy and faith? Some people just have an infectious intimacy with Jesus, or the gift of listening well and speaking encouragement to your heart no matter how you’re feeling. As ministers, we spend a lot of time pouring into other people. It’s essential to also make time in our lives for the people who help refill our tank and love Jesus more. We all need people around us who spur us on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Maybe your first point of application is to send someone a text right now and ask if you can grab coffee sometime soon. Let them know it’s because they are an encouragement to your faith, and you’ll likely encourage them, too!
Practice The Sabbath Priorities Of Rest And Delight
I realize there’s debate on whether the Sabbath law applies after Jesus. But either way, Scripture invites us to enter into God’s rest (Heb. 4:1) and to rejoice in him (Phil. 4:4). Ecclesiastes reminds us not only to fear God but commends to us the enjoyment of life, including food, drink, and labor (Eccl. 8:15). All of these are good gifts of God to be received with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:4).
It’s good to schedule times in your week for the things that bring rest or delight. Maybe it’s paddle boarding at sunset, walking in the woods, trying a new restaurant, reading a good book, or playing board games with friends. Maybe it’s turning off the phone early and getting extra sleep. As we cease our work, we remind ourselves that it’s God’s work that matters most, and it can carry on without us. When we take time to enjoy good things, we remind ourselves that God is a good Father who delights to give good gifts to his beloved children (Matt. 7:11).
Consider Your Daily Rhythms And Your Annual Calendar
We’re used to planning out our ministry calendar: daily tasks like email, weekly programs like Wednesday nights, and annual retreats and camps. I encourage you to think about the rhythms of soul care in a similar way. What types of daily, weekly, or annual items do you need in your calendar to keep your relationship with Jesus strong?
In my marriage, my husband and I have learned that we need at least a few minutes each day. Even on days that are hectic with kids and events, we need to to touch base. We need to catch each other up on what happened and say “I love you.” Without that, we quickly feel disconnected. But those few minutes each day also aren’t sufficient for a strong marriage. Extended, uninterrupted conversations and fun activities together, such as on date nights, go even further—and vacations together are the epitome of quality time, at least in my book!
In the same way, I think it’s helpful to think through daily rhythms that connect you with God (such as Scripture and prayer) but also more extended time of connecting with his heart. Consider a weekly one-hour time of prayer and fasting written in your calendar. Maybe plan an annual prayer retreat at a cabin in the woods. Learn what works for you personally! One youth pastor friend told me he spent his annual prayer and planning retreat at the hotel at the Mall of America because being around people energizes him and helps him think. I can’t think of a worse place to take a prayer retreat, personally, but it’s just a reminder that God has wired us differently. He wants us to bring all of who we are to our relationship with Him.
The Greatest Gift
As I think about what I want to give my students, so many things come to mind—powerful messages, tools to study the Bible, opportunities to engage in mission, gospel-shaped community. But ultimately all of the programs, events, strategies, and lesson plans will not create lasting impact unless the Spirit of Jesus is at work. One of the best gifts I can give my students is to make sure to keep my own heart spiritually healthy and close to Jesus. Then I can invite them to experience the joy of walking with Jesus that I am actually experiencing. I can urge them to imitate me in rhythms that contribute to spiritual health.
Ultimately, though, while I find all these practices helpful, the reality is that I implement them very imperfectly. Seasons of life change, and urgent ministry or family needs get in the way. In those times, I thank God that my closeness with Jesus is not primarily a result of my good habits or well-planned calendar. Intimacy with Christ is a gift of grace.
The Savior who loved me first is the one who continues to pursue me when I fall short, the one who invites me to draw near however inconsistent I am, the one who makes me lie down in green pastures and restores my soul. A healthy heart is not something I can generate (although it is something I can sabotage), so I want to as much as possible align my life’s rhythms, priorities, and practices with the one who promises to continue the good work he has begun in my life.
Looking for more soul-encouragement as you labor? Save the date to attend our Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville: October 22-24!
