Youth Ministry Work, The Summer Slump, And Preparing For Fall
The hype of camp is fading. The smell of leftover sunscreen and emotional debriefs still lingers. But now it’s time to face the real ministry question: What’s next? In this episode, Chad and Zac unpack the sneaky shift from summer chaos to fall calendars, and how to survive the mid-summer mental fog without quitting or creating a whole new youth group (again).
July can be a peculiar time in youth ministry. The adrenaline of summer events still lingers while the pressure of fall kickoff looms on the horizon. Some of us respond by mentally checking out ("laid out on the carpet," as Chad puts it), while others frantically start dreaming up complete ministry overhauls. Both responses stem from the same reality: seasonal transitions are hard, and our brains don't always cooperate.
Chad shares his strategy of scheduling a dedicated "dream planning day"—a physical and mental reset that helps him formally shift from summer to fall mode. This intentional transition, often accompanied by a change in location, creates space for creativity to return. Meanwhile, Zach offers the complementary approach of completely stepping away through hobbies, physical activities, or creative pursuits that engage different parts of the brain.
Perhaps most powerfully, let's talk about "Tuesday faith," learning to find meaning and purpose in the ordinary moments of ministry between the mountain-tops of camp experiences and the valleys of crisis. As Chad notes, "Not all flowers grow year-round," a reminder that seasons of apparent stagnation are natural and necessary parts of ministry.
🛠️ IN THIS EPISODE:
- 🌀 Mid-Summer Drift: Why it’s hard to go from bonfires to budget meetings.
- 😩 Two Ministry Mood Swings: Burnout Brian vs. Overhaul Olivia.
- 🌳 Change Your Place, Change Your Pace: A new spot might mean new ideas.
- 🏃♂️ Hobbies, Health, & Holy Distractions: Stepping away might be the secret to stepping forward.
- 📆 Why “Tuesday” Faithfulness > Friday Night Lights: Embracing the unglamorous middle.
- 🧠 Ministry Dopamine Detox: Recognize when your body is addicted to “big events only.”
- 🧍♂️ Be Honest, Not Isolated: The power of having someone to call out your spiral.
- 🔍 Know Thy Patterns: The better you understand your own transition style, the better you lead through it.
This episode is for the youth worker staring at a whiteboard wondering if it’s too early to plan the fall kickoff or too late to nap until Christmas. (It’s not. Just… plan a little, nap a little.)
If you're currently navigating the summer-to-fall transition in your ministry, this episode offers both practical strategies and the reassurance that you're not alone. We're all still learning—even after decades in ministry—how to work effectively through the rhythm of seasons.
Want to connect with a community of youth workers who understand these challenges? Check out Youth Ministry Booster or reach out directly to chad.higgins@lifeway.com or zac.workun@lifeway.com to learn more about how we can support you in your ministry journey.