the gang at ‘simply youth ministry‘ recently emailed out some tips for youth ministry across the globe. ‘check in for your check up‘ gives some tips to refresh and refocus before heading into the fall and the full swing of ministry. i was skimming it and thought the basics of their tips can easily be applied to anyone, regardless of ministry commitment.

this is my summary/paraphrase and what my check list is going to be:
– time for reflecting and healing: i’ve never met anyone who hasn’t been hurt or attacked by someone (be it a colleague or other) and whether or not we care to admit it, it affect us. and sometimes, our head gets bigger than it really should – yes, even mine. we need time to allow Father to purify our hearts so that we can effectively be witnesses for Him. [psalm 39:2-4]
– dig into the word: we all know one of the first things to fall to the side, is daily getting into the word. for over a year now, i’ve had to take some pills everyday…and my heart reminds me when i’ve forgotten. we need some spiritual vitamins and nurtients to stay healthy in our walk. there is no shame in starting over…we all slip and fall, admit it, deal it and pick yourself back up. [matthew 4:4]
– rest: this is probably my biggest area of weakness, which i have realized over these two weeks on holidays – take rest! the world will not fall to pieces because we take a day to rest, be still and regroup. i’m not the center of the universe and i get cranky…so do you – deal with it and rest! and not once a year. [mark 6:31]
– reconnect: we’re not all married…but we’ve all got people in our lives who we like to spend time with – be it family, friends, etc… relationships need to be nurtured and we cannot have a relationship with our job!
– jot your thot: anyone who follows my blog, knows that i have random thoughts. sometimes it is the random thoughts or reminders after ministry events that serve as the encouragement we need and the reminder why we ‘do what we do’. [acts 9:19]
– catch up with the experienced: when i get an idea, i’m like a dog with a bone and sometimes i don’t realize that it might be the wrong bone for the moment. even though i/we might not like it, the experienced have experience for a reason and sometimes they are right. [mark 6:30]
– accountability: its interesting the amount of people who are in ministry, who get upset when someone suggests they need to have accountability. i’ve seen and heard many people who start shooting verbal bullets when the thought is mentioned. get over it! you’re not perfect and we need help! we need people we can be completely open and honest with…we screw up but there is no point in sitting in the puddle we’ve made. [james 5:16]
– talk to Father: corporate prayer does not cut it alone. jesus spent time with Father, alone. we need to as well – we cannot be spiritually healthy without it. [matthew 14:23]
– loving the Father: worship was never intended to be work. sadly, about a year ago, i was in a place where going to corporate worship was work for me – i wasn’t connecting. that was my crap that i needed to deal with and sort out. we need to connect with the Father’s heart – whether we need modern worship music or traditional chants or prayers, just do it and make sure that you heart is beating with His. [psalm 146:6]

its time for a tune up and a check up!