7 Proven Ways to Burnout in Youth Ministry
If you’re looking to burnout or just survive in youth ministry, then follow these 7 proven methods.
1. Be sure to work 55-60 hours a week with only 2 weeks of vacation a year.
Maintain this schedule for a minimum of 5-7 years consistently to maximize results.
While on vacation, be sure to be thinking about ministry-related stuff.
Also, soak up all the rest and relaxation possible, because back to the rat race when you get home.
2. Take only one full day off of work/ministry a week.
Jam every possible activity within that day, so you can get all your personal stuff done (cut the grass, clean the house, run errands, etc.).
After all, you can rest when on vacation.
And if a ministry related phone call or emergency comes up on that day, be sure to say “yes” and take care of it.
3. Work at a church where you can’t financially support your family.
That way, either your spouse has to work to help pay the bills (even though she/he would rather not) OR you suck it up and experience a huge amount of financial pressure.
(If this one irks you..see my response to Erin in the comment below for some clarification.)
4. Eat unhealthy food & don’t exercise.
Despite the many health benefits of exercise, ignore those and instead sit in front of a computer 20-30+ hours a week.
Enjoy the many benefits of no exercise & eating unhealthy, including: lack of energy, weight gain, high cholesterol, an overall state of non-well being.
Due to your fast paced lifestyle, be sure to eat fast food a couple of times a week.
Nourish your body with a yummy Big Mac, fries, Coke and a milkshake.
5. Don’t be involved in any outside interests other than church, family, and/or job.
Be so busy that you don’t have time for other things you enjoy, like painting, playing music, running, biking, hiking, fishing, etc.
6. Place church activity at the center of your life rather than God.
Spiritualize church activity and replace it at the center of your life.
After all, God cares more about “what you do” than “enjoying a relationship with Him”.
7. Minimize how much time you spend nurturing your relationship with God.
Spend most of your personal time in the Bible planning a ministry-related lesson or message.
Ritualize your time with God rather than experiencing God all throughout the day.
Here’s where we come in.
Our goal at Ministry to Youth is to save you time and money by creating youth ministry curriculum and resources to help you point students to Jesus.
And for me, it’s not just a nice idea—it’s personal.
Back in my early ministry days, I was young, single, and fueled by pizza, coffee and passion to love and serve Jesus. I was wholeheartedly serving in ministry while also juggling seminary full-time. Then came marriage, kids, and the harsh realization that sleep is not optional.
I had a tough time balancing ministry and family life.
So, I stepped back. I healed. I learned what balance actually looks like (pro tip: it involves saying “no” and not feeling bad about it).
When we launched Ministry to Youth in 2014, I made it my mission to help other leaders skip the burnout and stay in it for the long haul. Because your calling shouldn’t come at the cost of your health or your family.
Also… saving money never hurts. Youth ministry budgets are basically duct tape and prayers.
Now we’re helping thousands of leaders like you each month—and we’re just getting started.
Let’s keep pointing students to Jesus, with a little more sleep and a little less stress.
Nick Diliberto
Ministry to Youth
Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out this bundle:
2025 Big Youth Bundle – Save so much, it’s practically stealing (but like, the legal kind). Includes 20 youth ministry series, 8 youth Bible studies & 80 games. All 84% off. Even Dave Ramsey would approve!
