Author: Nick Mance

Quick Tip: Recharge After a Trip

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When this post gets published I’ll be serving with a group of leaders and students in Hunt, Texas. This is our first mission trip of the summer and it’s one that is focused on helping a community rebuild and heal after devastating flooding.

I love taking students on mission trips and retreats. These moments are so important in the spiritual journey of students and I get the privilege of seeing God work in and through them in amazing ways. I always come away from these trips excited about what God is doing and seeing all the change that happens in the lives of my students as they serve and lead. I truly love going on these trips and sharing in the experience with my leaders and students and it’s one the many things I love about my job.

But can I be real with you? I’m also wiped out after these trips. I’ve realized I’m starting to get older and sleeping on a camp bunk or sleeping bags on the floor doesn’t always agree with me. Only getting a few hours of sleep for multiple nights on end runs me down. Being on for multiple days and not having any down time makes me feel depleted.

In fact, maybe you’re like me but when I get back from a trip and everyone has finally left to go home, I sit in my car for five minutes in silence. No more “Nick,” “Hey, Nick,” “Nick, can I.” It’s just…quiet. This is just one of my ways I recharge. The reality is trips require a lot from us and while they are amazing and beneficial, they also can be depleting to those who run and facilitate them.

So if trips are depleting, how do we actually recharge when they are completed? The truest answer I can give you is this: it depends on the person. I know what recharges me, but that doesn’t mean it’s the same for you. For me, recharging includes pausing and resting after a trip. That means I take some time off to recoup and catch my breath. I also love to clean up and put things away after a trip (I know I have a problem). I also enjoy having familiar food whether it’s a pizza from our local pizza shop or having a nice home cooked meal. But I’ll be honest and let you know that 99% of the time it’s a pizza because it’s easy, delicious, and means no prep.

For others it may be hanging out with friends, it might be reading, watching your favorite show, spending time with your spouse, or just a good nights rest in your own bed (can I get an amen?!). My point is this: you cannot keep running on coffee and adrenaline. I get it: coming back from a camp, a retreat, or mission trip you can feel that rush but I promise you that if you just run on that you’ll begin to feel depleted very quickly.

I wish someone had told me about the importance of recharging after trips. I wouldn’t take time off, I would just go right back to work. But that method will lead to faster burnout and depletion because you aren’t taking care of yourself. We must take intentional steps to ensure we have recharged and recovered so we can be the best version of ourselves to our families and the people we lead and disciple. Not taking time to recharge is actually harming ourselves and those we love. So, after a trip, my encouragement is simple: recharge in the way that best suits you. But make sure to be intentional about doing so. This isn’t just a quick power nap, but something that intentionally nourishes you so you can continue in the calling God has given to you.

Don’t Just Wing It

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“Don’t worry about it. It’s just one week and they won’t care. Just wing it.”

I’ll never forget this conversation that happened early on in my student ministry career. It was a busy week with multiple unexpected add-ons and I was struggling to put together a lesson for my students. I asked a friend for some advice on what to do and they gave me the above quote.

Honestly, when they said that to me, my first thought was, “Yeah, that’ll work.” But the more I ruminated on it, the less receptive I became. I managed to restructure my week and put together an intentional lesson for my students. Was it my best? No. Was it super impactful? Maybe, that’s up to my students to say. But was it intentional and thoughtfully designed for them? Yes.

Too often ministry gets busy. Our weeks and lives are often thrown off by random meetings, activities, our personal lives, and more. Rarely do I have two weeks in a row that are the same. There’s always something to do and it feels like our work is never done. But that shouldn’t stop us from intentionally putting together lessons and messages for our students.

Students have long been the recipients of lackadaisical teaching. Whether in the church or school settings. In fact, some of my interns this year told me stories of teachers using AI to craft their lessons or just showing videos for weeks on end. This is not a shot at teachers because the majority of them are amazing, but instead a treatise on the reality of the teaching and guidance our students are receiving.

Students desire authenticity. They want interpersonal connection. They want to ask questions and wrestles with things they are being taught. They want to know people care. They long to be seen.

When we wing it and don’t put intentional effort and thought into our ministry, we are causing more harm than good to our students. I’m not saying there aren’t times when we have to put something together on the fly, but that should not be how we conduct ministry regularly.

As ministers of the Gospel we have a responsibility to God and the people we serve to do our best when it comes to leading, speaking, and discipleship. We cannot and should not simply “wing it” as an approach. Our students deserve the best because that is what Jesus offered to His disciples and encouraged all of them to offer the people to whom they ministered.

So what should we do if our schedules are overwhelming, if we feel stretched to our max, if it seems like we are constantly underwater and fighting to just make it through each week?

I think first and foremost you need to step back and see what can be changed or removed from your plate and schedule. Are there things you don’t need to be doing? Are there aspects of your ministry you could offload? Could you change your rhythms or restructure how you manage your time?

I also think it is worthwhile to assess how your teaching is formatted and your ministry setting. How long do you teach for? Would it be helpful to trim that back? How is your program structured? Could you reassess how it flows in order to better help you with planning and weekly preparation? Are there trusted individuals and volunteers you could empower to help teach, prepare, and facilitate your ministry?

Another aspect to consider is talking with your direct supervisor. Being honest and sharing where you are at is not an admission of failure or inability. It’s a sign of strength. We are not meant to do all the things nor should we. Instead, we need to share the load and asking for help takes us away from a me-centered approach to truly what Jesus had in mind by empowering multiple people to serve and facilitate the ministry.

My encouragement to you is this: be thoughtful, intentional, and relational in how you lead and teach. Don’t just wing it, but be purposeful. By doing the things that we shared, not only are you being intentional with your ministry, you are also protecting yourself from burnout, offering the best to your students, and empowering others to lead.

Planning Ahead: Senior Commissioning

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It is never too early to begin preparing to honor your seniors. I am a firm believer that when we celebrate our graduates it should be more than simply marching them on stage and presenting them to the congregation. These are young adults that we have poured into for years through the discipleship process and we are now sending them out as ambassadors for the kingdom of heaven.

This isn’t just a celebration, it’s a commissioning. We are sending students all over the world in a variety of spheres, and they will have limitless opportunities to reach others with the Good News. That means we must be intentional, thoughtful, and relational in how we commission them, which requires planning ahead to ensure success and intentionality.

No matter how many seniors you have, you should begin preparing in January of their graduation year. Stepping into these moments and thoughtfully preparing for them will help make them thoughtful and intentional. Here are a few key ways to make this time special for your seniors.

Make it intentional and thoughtful.

I’ve referenced this a handful of times in this post but I haven’t shared how we actually do this. You know your students and families. You have sojourned with these young adults through the ups and downs of their lives. You know their stories.

What I’m saying is this: you know how to best make this moment intentional. You know what speaks best to your students and what will encourage them.

You can do this through a church-wide commissioning where they are prayed over. It may be through honoring and celebrating them at youth group. You could allow your seniors to share their anecdotes and encouragements to their peers at a senior night. You could put together a special brochure honoring your graduates, send them a personal card, or provide a special night for their small group.

These moments are up to you, but the intentionality and thoughtfulness you put into them will help honor and celebrate your graduates.

Provide next steps.

I’ll be honest with you and share that this was something I didn’t always do well. When we were serving in Iowa, I just assumed our college ministry would automatically pick up where we left off, but that wasn’t the case. I’ve learned we need to provide next steps to ensure our students have opportunities to continue connecting with the local church.

For graduating seniors, you have put in seven or more years building relational equity and trust. That means that your insight and voice matter when helping students take next steps. Intentionally connect them with your college and young adult ministries. Utilize college ministries for those going to college. Find opportunities for students to serve in your church and where they are going.

Next steps aren’t just about a handoff, it’s about continuing the discipleship process in meaningful ways to help your graduates thrive.

Utilize the body.

This is something we have started to do at our church and I love it because it helps our students to see they are supported and loved, and also an important part of the church.

One of the ways we utilize the body is by having them pray over our students during the commissioning. It’s a powerful moment as we ask for families, friends, small group leaders, and others who have walked with these students to come and lay hands on them as we send them out on mission.

We also ask our entire church body to stand and pray for our graduates as we commission them and for them to commit to being for our seniors as they continue to grow. You could also utilize the church to help honor your students by asking them to host a meal for the seniors and families. You could also ask for the church staff and church as a whole to sign cards and commit to praying for the graduates.

Create intentional moments for families.

When I think about our senior commissioning, I’m always trying to find intentional opportunities to include families. Inviting families on stage to pray over their students is one way we seek to do this.

We also set aside time for families to encourage, pray for, and speak truth over their graduate during the reception. We have heard how busy families are and how thankful they are when we slow things down and provide space for them to intentionally engage with one another. Helping families engage is key and it’s something our graduates will remember for years to come.

Provide a special gift.

Do you remember what your gift was from your church when you graduated (if you got one)?

I think I got a book when I graduated. I’m not sure what the book was and I’m pretty sure it became a doorstop during college. That’s not a shot at my youth pastor at all. I know him and I believe the gift was meant to be thoughtful, but there was no explanation or guidance to it. It was simply “here’s a book.”

I’m fully aware that budgets vary throughout ministries, and I’m not arguing for big or expensive gifts, but rather one that’s thoughtful and personal.

It could be a student’s favorite candy bar and handwritten card. Maybe it is a book inscribed with a personal note and a gift card to Starbucks so the student can share their story with their friends. Perhaps it’s a gift bag with candy, snacks, fun little celebratory gifts, and a special gift for the graduate. The purpose with a gift is to provide something that is special, intentional, personal, and practical.

Quick Tip: Ask for Help

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I’ll never forget the first time I used the coffee pot in our church office hallway. I’ve drank coffee for most of my life and I’ve brewed coffee in more coffee pots than I can count. And how hard could it really be? Well, harder than I thought. There were two buttons and I hit the wrong one which actually cycled the machine off and took an exceptionally long time to restart and reheat to make the coffee.

The worst part: I was with another staff member who was showing me around and rather than ask for help I asserted “I know how this works.” And as they were trying to explain what not to do, I hit the wrong button.

Now, hopefully, you can laugh along with me at the absurdity of this true story, but let me pose a question. Have you ever tried to do something on your own without asking for help? Have you ever done that knowing you should ask for help?

From my experience, it can be extremely difficult for those serving in ministry to ask for assistance. I believe this is rooted in a variety of reasons including being told we are part of an elite group after graduating from college or grad school. We know how to function in isolation, we have learned to trust ourselves and our motivations, we have become fairly self sufficient, and perhaps there has been a lack of effective and helpful guidance.

Regardless of the reason why, many ministry leaders are hesitant to ask for help and that is extremely problematic. When we try to go on our own, when we refuse to seek help, when we simply try to push through, these responses will inevitably lead to burn out, anger and frustration, hurt, bitterness, and further isolation. I’ve seen this too many times to count and I’ve been there as well. Trying to do it on our own and not asking for help is a recipe for disaster.

When we live and work in isolation we aren’t just hurting ourselves, but also building ourselves into isolation and potentially causing harm to others by not allowing them to thrive. When we go at it on our own we are not actually giving our people what they need because we are often leading out of emptiness. Leading out of emptiness is not helpful to anyone and is destructive to yourself and those you’re leading.

So what are we supposed to do?

Ask for help. It sounds simple, but it is also incredibly hard because it means admitting we cannot do it all on our own. This can feel like failure, but it is actually life saving. Asking for help feels incredibly difficult and near impossible in the moment, but doing so will actually help you flourish, refresh, and release the weight you shouldn’t be carrying.

Here’s what I would suggest: find someone you can be authentic with and share how you’re feeling. After you’re done sharing how you’re feeling progress in one of these ways: ask them for help and give them permission to do so, ask them to go with you to the person (i.e. a supervisor) to help advocate for you. Be willing to listen to their suggestions and implement them. Part of being authentic means owning what is happening and not suffering in silence. But in order for that to be beneficial, you also need to be willing to hear and receive help.

Admitting you need help is difficult. Being willing to receive help is harder still. However, when you admit and receive help, you are removing the weight you’ve placed on yourself or the weight that has been placed on you, and allowing for the body of Christ to truly be the body as they walk with and care for you.

If you need someone to talk to, or an advocate, know that we are here for you. We’d be honored to hear your story and to walk with you.

Planning Ahead: Fall Leader Training

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We just wrapped up our student programming for this school year and are moving into our summer schedule. It’s surreal to think that this school year is already coming to a close because it feels like just yesterday we kicked off the school year. But in the midst of all the memories and celebrations, this is also a great time to begin to plan ahead for fall leader training.

Before we begin our fall programming, we host an annual leader training in August that covers a large swath of material. We walk through logistical information, legal information like mandated reporting and meeting with students, ministry updates, doctrinal beliefs, and more. This is our big training that we host each year and it incorporates a lot of different elements, but it’s also something that has evolved over the years to be more intentional and formational.

With that understanding it is imperative that the planning happen farther out so the training can be as purposeful and helpful as possible. Leaders are the backbone to our ministries and our training must be intentionally planned so we can best equip and care for them. The following points are not necessarily outlining all the details that you should cover, but more so highlighting key aspects that should be included to make your training the best it can be.

Make it relational.

I’ll be honest: for years I thought simply having everyone gather together with snacks and coffee made training relational. But the truth of the matter is that I was simply hitting them with a firehose of information with a sprinkling of potential relational opportunities added in. However, that’s not really relational.

So instead, we tweaked our training to incorporate opportunities for fellowship, getting to know one another, and to hear and learn from one another. The result was fantastic: leaders were thankful about the training and excited to be there. When we center training sessions around relationships, it allows our communities to grow and flourish.

Utilize practical principles and resources.

Many of our leaders have been with our program for multiple years. That means they thoroughly know our logistical information and when we take a prolonged amount of time going over it, we see their eyes glaze over. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t go over it, but instead we condense those moments and allow l newer leaders to connect one-on-one with our leadership. Then that affords us more time for practical principles and resources.

We highlight books and podcasts, we bring in experts to train in certain areas, we lean into spiritual formation, and allow for collective equipping, team building, and a space to share ideas.

Have fun.

I am a big proponent of incorporating fun into training. Being able to laugh, joke around, tell stories, and play games helps to build community and fellowship among your team. It also alleviates the tension or weight that can come with a longer training as it provides a needed break from the tension and rigor. So find ways to have fun and laugh with your team during the training and see how that shapes your sessions and interactions in positive ways.

Provide food.

Part of hosting intentional training means finding ways to encourage and care for your leaders. And one of the best ways to do this is to provide food. That doesn’t mean you need to break the bank and provide prime rib (but if you do let me know so I can attend), but it should be something that is different from what you provide to students and also something that shows you care.

It could be coffee and pastry trays, a nice luncheon, party subs, special candy on the tables, fun punches or mocktails, or even just having fun creamers to make the coffee a little more special.

Incorporate spiritual rhythms.

Spiritual rhythms are something I think student ministries overall should lean into more frequently, which means we must incorporate them within our training. Taking time to pray in different and engaging ways is vital. Worshipping together and praising God helps to transform our hearts. Reading Scripture highlights God’s heart for His people.

These are not the only rhythms we can incorporate nor do they have to be utilized in the same way that we have always utilized them. Instead, seek out creative and thoughtful ways to draw your people nearer to Jesus and cultivate their hearts as disciples of Jesus.

How do you make your leader training intentional and meaningful?

Be the Supervisor You Want to Have

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Have you ever worked under a great boss? What about a not so great one? Have you ever wished a supervisor would do something a certain way for you or care in meaningful ways? Have you had a boss who wasn’t just a good supervisor but also a good shepherd?

I’ve been in ministry for a long time and I’ve worked in a variety of jobs outside of ministry. In every single one of those jobs I had supervisors. Whether it was a lieutenant, a board of elders, an executive or senior pastor, managers, or an account supervisor, I’ve always had someone to whom I reported. With in each of those settings I can point to good and bad moments.

But here’s the thing: we often tend to remember the bad moments, the moments we weren’t cared for well, the moments our supervisors didn’t do something we wished they had, or times when those supervisors just weren’t good supervisors. And if you’re like me, you probably have focused on that way too much. Now understand, I’m not saying people shouldn’t be held accountable and I’m also not telling you to just knuckle under.

Instead, what if rather than focusing on the disappointment and discouragement that can and will come from faulty leadership, we utilized that passion and tension in a positive way. Imagine if we leveraged that as a growth opportunity for ourselves to be the best supervisor we can be! I’m not saying there’s no accountability for those in authority over you and I’m not saying that you’re the problem. Instead, I’m challenging each of us to be the supervisor we wished we had.

We all know what we have desired in a supervisor. Maybe you have had a great one and want to model your leadership after them. Perhaps you had one who didn’t afford you what you needed and now you know what a supervisor should do. What we must do as leaders is take a look at our history of supervisors and use that to cultivate the supervisor we need to be. Take the good, the bad, and the indifferent and learn from it. Be willing to discern those moments and use them to transform how you lead.

Some of my greatest strengths as a leader have come from learning from those who led me. And some of the ways I lead flow out of a desire to lead differently. But in all of those moments, I ask myself if I am leading in a way I would want to be led. Am I listening? Is my team being empowered and released to utilize their strengths? Have I been a good encourager? Have I helped my team grow and flourish? Am I willing to engage, even the hard moments, when needed? Do I have my team’s back? Am I okay with my team succeeding even if it moves the spotlight off of me?

These aren’t all the questions a good leader should be asking, but they are a starting point. Whether you’re supervising staff, leading volunteers, shepherding students, or preparing to lead, thinking through these questions and gaining insight from good leaders and mentors will help to shape you as a healthy leader. By leading others well, we are cultivating not only our own abilities but shaping future leaders to also be healthy and beneficial.

Product Review: Habutway Beanbag Chairs

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A couple of years ago we recognized that our middle school area needed a refresh when it came to seating. Our high school area had couches, some bistro tables and chairs, and some smaller round cafe-style tables with chairs. In our high school area we could have more control over the environment and setting but our middle school area only had some couches that were woefully outdated.

We began looking around online trying to find various options. We looked at purchasing newer couches but they were beyond our budget. Floor cushions were an option but it didn’t feel like we valued our middle school students. We contemplated simply putting out more chairs and tables but it felt like middle school was simply forgotten and high school was where intentional environments happened.

Then we happened upon Habutway Bean Bag Chairs. Prior to purchasing these bean bag chairs I was very anti bean bags because I have seen what happens when all the little beads explode out of them. And let me tell you, the clean up for those things is not fun.

However, these bean bag chairs have memory foam in them, so even if they were to “pop” it would not require the same clean up as the others. We purchased three of these chairs and they arrived vacuum packed which meant that packages were significantly smaller than the actually bean bag chairs. Once you take them out of the packaging, you need to break up the foam by tossing the chairs onto the floor and give them around 24 hours to fully “inflate.”

When we put these out for the first time, our students fell in love with them. They have quickly become the most sought-after seats in our program and students love to jump on them and see how many people they can fit on the bean bag.

These bags are incredibly durable and have held up to the wear and tear over the years. The outer covering is also machine washable which is a huge perk when working with students who often have food and drinks or come right to youth group from sports practice.

The one downside for our ministry though is storage space. We meet in a multipurpose space so we need to find a place to store these bean bag chairs and that means stacking them in one of our closets each week. These bean bag chairs aren’t super heavy but they aren’t light either which adds some complexity to stacking them in storage.

Overall, these are a great addition to any ministry space. I highly recommend them, and you can choose from a variety of colors and a couple different sizes. These are a great win for students and will quickly help make your space feel more inviting and welcoming.

Quick Tip: Fold Laundry

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You probably read that title and said, “Wait…what? I thought this was a website for youth workers about ministry.” Trust me, it is. And this post is for youth workers too. Allow me to explain.

Folding laundry is healing and relaxing for me. I love to do things in order and sequence, and to see something accomplished. So often in ministry, the work is never ending and we don’t always see things come to completion. In many ways this can be frustrating or discouraging especially if you’re someone who likes to see things finalized and complete.

For many years the grind of ministry and the ever-pressing weight of what we are doing became a burden that felt crushing. I would faithfully work with students and challenge them to not make the same mistakes and yet they would. We’d find ourselves teaching the Gospel time and time again (not that it’s a bad thing). The seasonal rhythms were always the same. The same issues manifested throughout the years. One thing would be finished but then there’s the immediate item following. (I’m looking at you, fundraiser followed by summer trips.)

That type of format can be draining for some, but especially for those who have been in ministry for the long haul and those who like to see things accomplished and projects closed. But then it hit me: what helps us have that sense of completion when we don’t always get that from our job?

For me, it’s folding laundry, finishing a book, baking, completing a home project, or exercising. I love to see things accomplished. I’m a list person, and being able to check things off or accomplish specific tasks is something in which I find a lot of satisfaction.

We all know that we are fulfilling a calling God has placed on our lives and that there will always be different seasons in ministry. I’m not saying you should find your fulfillment in folding laundry or finishing a book. However, I do know that God designed us in His image and He is a God who sees His plan come to fruition. If that is true for Him and we are created in His image, shouldn’t we also find joy and satisfaction in seeing things accomplished? It may not always be in ministry, but that doesn’t mean it is lesser or not important.

Therefore, I believe we should take time to complete things outside of ministry. Finding what works for you and brings you joy when it is completed is subjective to you, and that is a good thing. Knowing yourself and what brings you joy and satisfaction allows you to engage and find ways to recharge and fill your soul. So, go and fold some laundry today or do whatever else brings a smile to your face and joy to your soul as you see things completed and accomplished.

Resource: Pastor Stays

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Have you ever needed a vacation? Of course you have; we all have. But let me ask a different question: Have you ever needed a vacation but couldn’t afford one?

Those of us in ministry are acutely aware of the reality that we didn’t go into this profession to get rich. We know that working for a nonprofit isn’t necessarily going to have us rolling in the dough, and there will be plenty of times when we may have pinch pennies (or nickels since pennies are not being made anymore) to get by.

In my years of serving in ministry and talking to other ministers and church workers, one of the places that typically gets pinched or cut early on is a vacation or time away.

This is honestly heartbreaking because not only does it devalue the work that pastors and church workers do, but it also doesn’t allow for them to recharge well. It keeps their families from being able to enjoy time away with their loved ones.

I’ve met countless pastors whose families have never taken a vacation unless someone else paid. I’ve talked to kids of pastors who have been made fun of because they never understood what it was like to take a vacation because all they did were staycations.

This should evoke much deeper conversations about compensation, care, and support for pastors, but that is a conversation for another time. What I want to talk about today is a resource to pastors that offers reduced and free stays at homes and retreat centers around the country. Essentially, think about staying in an Airbnb or Vrbo for free and being able to spend quality time with your family refreshing and recharging. Sound too good to be true? It’s not.

Let me introduce you to Pastor Stays. One of my good friends mentioned this to me when I was thinking about taking a vacation and trying to find a place to stay. When you head to their website, you’ll see a handful of the stays they have and be able to read up on the history and mission of the organization.

This is a ministry that came about during the 2020 pandemic from the vision of Troy and Jana Jones to bless other pastors and their families. Their heart truly radiates as you read through the website and see their desire to care for others.

In order to get access to their website, you need to create a profile and it is a little extensive. They want to get basic information but also to know who is applying. They ask for ministry history and your story. They will also ask for documentation like your ministry credentials to validate that you’re actively serving in ministry and truly a pastor.

When I filled it out, I realized that my ordination certificate was from the first church I pastored and I wasn’t sure if it would be approved. I reached out to their team and received a quick response stating that my ordination would be received without issue and once it was submitted my application would be reviewed.

Each submission is looked at by the Pastor Stays team to validate that a pastor is actually applying and seeking to appropriately utilize this resource. Once approved, you’ll have access to all the different homes and rooms available on the site.

The search function doesn’t always work well if you’re looking for something in a place where there aren’t available homes. However, all of the homes are listed on the home page. The list will ebb and flow as more homes become available.

When you click on the place you’d like to stay you’ll be met with photos, a description of the property, amenities and additional details. If this property works for you, you can submit a brief form requesting to book the property. Many of the properties are free but some do require a reduced payment.

One of the realities of utilizing this website is that these properties may require a bit of travel to get to. However, not having to pay or paying a reduced cost for your stay can make the cost of traveling a little more palatable and affordable. Overall this is an amazing blessing and opportunity for pastors and their families, and we would highly recommend taking advantage of this resource.

Planning Ahead: Teaching Calendars

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Welcome to a brand new series called “Planning Ahead.” This series is intentionally designed to help youth workers think through strategically planning for specific events, dates, and bench markers in ministry.

We will talk about fall kickoffs, Christmas parties, Lent, training sessions, and more. Our hope with this series is to provide you with practical steps to help you succeed in ministry by setting benchmarks in planning and sharing insights we have learned along the way.

If your experience starting out in ministry is anything like mine, I wasn’t taught strategic planning. I didn’t know how important it was to plan ahead or build out a teaching calendar. I didn’t see how intentionality wasn’t just intended for teaching and preaching but also in how we structure, prepare for, and implement important events and key programmatic pieces within our ministries.

I’ve learned how important planning ahead is not just for my own sanity but also for our students, families, and volunteers. When we plan ahead we show intentionality, communicate value and worth, help everyone to understand what we are doing and why. We are able to unify under a shared vision and goal.

So with that in mind, today I wanted to share about intentionally building out teaching calendars by answering some common questions surrounding them.

How far in advance should we plan?

When it comes to a teaching calendar, I plan a semester ahead and I typically don’t plan for a whole year. We curate our content for a semester at a time and try to have it finalized months before the next semester rolls around.

That means we typically have our fall teaching calendar finalized around May or June and our spring teaching calendar finalized around October or November. When you plan this far ahead, it allows you to start recruiting teachers, planning for different events, and strategically choosing teaching series.

How do we pick what we will teach?

When I first started in student ministry, I picked topics that I thought were relevant or that sounded cool. Curriculum with catchy titles and graphics were always a win. But we need to think beyond just what will be relevant or “cool” and instead plan with intentionality, purpose, and vision. That means when you are choosing what you will teach, you do so in light of those things as well as choosing relevant and necessary topics.

So plan your teaching around your vision, themes that you’ll focus on in your ministry, and key dates or momentum seasons. You can also begin building a 3, 4, or 7 year curriculum track based on how your program functions. You could choose a 3 year curriculum for middle school and a 4 year curriculum for high school that repeats (with updated changes as needed) to help students move through key life phases and seasons.

What should be included?

This is a question I used to wrestle with when I was younger because I would second guess myself. But here’s the thing: you know your students best and that means you know what they need to hear and be guided in. Trust your instincts and lean into your group dynamics.

But I would also encourage you to pay attention to culture, what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are searching for, and what students are grappling with overall. You can do this by talking to other youth workers, joining online communities, stepping into various cohorts, and following organizations like CPYU, FYI, Barna, others. If you utilize those key pieces to think about what is being taught, you will have a solid teaching calendar.

How many calendars should you have?

Sometimes I see ministries with multiple calendars and frankly that can get confusing. Instead of having multiple calendars, look to simplify down to one. Yes, you may need to have a calendar for families and one for leaders, but trying to simply the amount of calendars also allows your communication to be simplified and concise which provides clarity for everyone.

I won’t lie to you and tell you that if you do all these things that you’ll always hit it out of the park. We all swing and miss at times. But I will tell you that you will see more success and you can fine tune the necessary areas to fully pour into your community.