Reserve the right to say “No” when your plate is full. And don’t go on a guilt trip if you can’t accept every responsibility in the church.

2 “I am constantly frustrated with my ministry.” Leaders won’t approve an increased budget? Parents blaming you for their teen’s drug problem? The church thinks youth ministry is a teenage babysitting service? What is your personal frustration?

When you stay disappointed or irritated with the ministry, burnout awaits us. We need to relax and work on the areas that have a solution and let go of the ones that don’t.

3 “I feel alienated from the rest of the staff.” Cliques don’t just happen in high school. They can occur in ministry as well. The “more visual” ministries may seem to be popular, and you may feel left out. Or the other ministries may appear to receive a lot of attention from the pulpit and publications, while you and the youth get placed on an obscure bulletin board.

Be proactive about forming relationships with the staff. If you sense a distance, then close the gap. Invite other staff members out to lunch, or over to your house for a meal. Do whatever it take to insure all of you are on the same team.

4 “There is not enough time in the day to do my ministry properly.” If time seems a foe rather than a friend, you will find yourself working more and more hours while neglecting other important areas of life.

We need to prioritize our days and work on the crucial jobs, while handing off the non-crucial. If we don’t have enough time, it’s usually because we weigh each ministry aspect equally.

5 “I neglect my family for my ministry.” Do we want our children to grow up thinking we loved other kids, more than our own? Ignoring the family leads to burnout at God’s house and our house.

Let’s encourage our families to be honest about the time we are spending with them. We may discover that even when we are at home, we are thinking about our jobs and they will pick up on that. Set a minimum number of hours per week spent with the family at non-ministry related times and stick with it.

6 “I am not sleeping well and have a lack of energy.” A few months ago I went to see my doctor (the first time in fourteen years). I felt weak and tired all the time. After all the blood work and other tests, the doctor pronounced me incredibly healthy. Then we started reviewing my schedule and he attributed my fatigue to stress. Have you ever felt that way? If so it may not be a diet or exercise problem, but a stress related problem. Call your physician and ask him or her to suggest ways to lower your stress levels.

7 “I find myself leaving God out of my day.” Ministry is being about our Father’s business. If we leave Him out, we don’t have a ministry, but a program powered by human strength. When we leave God out we get burned out because we are trying to rely on us instead of Him.

Even if it just feels like you’re going through the motions, spend at least 15 minutes a day in the Lord’s presence without it relating to anything but your personal relationship with Him. Talk freely and openly to Him about the distance you sense and the need to have Him empower your ministry.

8 “I never have a moment to myself.” There is no clocking out in ministry. Everyone has a right to call you at any time of the night or day regardless of convenience. If you are a volunteer youth worker it can seem even worse. You work a full time job, then come home to another job.

Full timers: When you know you have busy nights, take some time off during the day. Part timers or volunteers: Let your people know the teens can call anytime, but ministry questions or dilemmas can only be handled three nights a week.

9 “Over half the stuff I have to do has nothing to do with my ministry.” Sure, we were hired for youth ministry, but that doesn’t mean the church leaders don’t expect you to have the budget report collated by Sunday at 4 p.m.

Avoid anything that does not directly tie into your ministry. As a general rule, if people think you might be willing to take a job, they will give it to you. Is it so bad to be known for knocking yourself out in your ministry but being noncommittal in other areas?

10 “I’m sick of these kids.” Generally those words are uttered by every youth minister in the nation after “summer vacation.” But if we find ourselves saying that all year round - watch out!

Develop friendships outside the group. Have adult friends that you hang out with who don’t have teens, and do have common interests with you. Forcing yourself to be with the teens all the time is not the way to prevent burnout, but will insure it.