Christmas is a busy season for most people, and sometimes it feels like that’s even more true for those of us who work in churches. Although there are very few down times in the church, Christmas always seems to be the exact opposite of down time.
If we’re really honest, what’s meant to be a time celebrating the Prince of Peace turns into a time of balancing chaos and stress.
Outside of typically having to run the adorable, tiring, well-worth-it Christmas children’s program, we also host something special the weekend before Christmas, find a time to celebrate and gift our volunteers, all while getting the extras prepped for our regularly scheduled programming. We’re balancing relationships and longer-than-normal task lists.
It’s easy to get swept into the seemingly endless preparation of the Christmas season for crafts, special projects, festive snacks, volunteer gifts, and all the other things we do outside of our church responsibilities.
It can leave us tired, weary, and cranky. And it can put us in a space where we aren’t experiencing the joy of Christmas. But we can’t let that happen!
So, how do we avoid the Christmas burnout? Here are 5 ways to prepare and protect your joy this Christmas season.
5 Ways to Protect Your Christmas Joy in Ministry
Prepare to get things done.
Yes! Prepare, prepare, prepare!
There is a lot to do in the Christmas season. During this time, it is especially important to make sure we stay organized, on task, and prepped so that we can get things done as early as possible. It’s also important to delegate in anticipation of this busy season.
Delegating appropriately gives you space to get your follow-up systems in place and helps you avoid as many ‘last minute’ tasks as possible. It’s not just ministry leaders who are especially busy between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
We are doing what we do because of the very meaning behind this season.
Take care of your soul and take mental breaks.
Between home, work, and church, life seems to be non-stop. If we aren’t careful, we can run ourselves dry very quickly.
It’s key to stay rooted in Scripture, prayer, and worship in all the seasons we walk through. Times of busyness can’t be excluded from that.
Find ways to take mental breaks. Find the things that work for you and do them. Stop at your favorite coffee shop and sit and enjoy a moment before you go to work. Take a short walk around your church to get out of your office. Play a game with your fellow staff members and enjoy one another’s company for no other reason but to connect.
Take 10-15 minutes when you need it. It can really help in times of stress!
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
Remind yourself of the why of this Christmas season.
We are not doing what we do in order to bolster the numbers, put on an impressive program, or wow anyone with festive decorations. We are doing what we do because of the very meaning behind this season. So keep your joy and your peace!
What reminds you of that? It could be as simple as reading a portion of the Christmas story every day. Post a sign on your office door. Or maybe even go all out and wear one of those pins with that saying on it!
And to help you in this, stay extra connected to your family in this time. God did not call you to lead your children’s ministry at the expense of your family. It is so easy, especially during a busy season such as this, to allow our ministry to overtake our family. We all have to adjust to make sure this doesn’t happen, so we encourage you to find the ways that work for you.
Attend a worship service for worship (and nothing more).
Attending services is always important for children’s and family ministry leaders and volunteers, but it rings especially true in this season of Advent.
We understand that it’s difficult sometimes with your requirements to oversee your program. But please find a way! Even if it means attending another church’s service this time of year. Sit with your family, your spouse, your children as a member of their family and not as the children’s pastor. And rest in His goodness!
Finally, bless your volunteers.
Children’s ministry thrives for many reasons, not the least of which is our volunteers. It matters how we care for our volunteers. We must find ways to serve them and bless them throughout the year, but Christmas is an especially opportune time to do this.
- Give them permission to not volunteer in additional Christmas programs.
- Send them a personal note of thanks, not only for all that they do, but for who they are to you.
- Make an effort to make sure they attend the special Christmas services and events, not just serve in them.
- Personally drop by to give them a small gift of thanks for their commitment to children’s ministry.
- Have the kids in their class (or better yet, also the parents) sign a card expressing their appreciation and wish them a Merry Christmas.
Christmas is a time of celebration, but it still takes hard work and commitment from our volunteers. Take this natural opportunity to say thanks and bless the volunteers who work so hard with you and on behalf of your kids and families.
More for Christmas
- Over 100 Christmas Activities for Your Children’s Ministry
- 10 Easy Ways to Engage Families this Christmas
- 43 Colorful Christmas Crafts to Celebrate Jesus’ Birth
- How the Hopeful Anticipation of Advent Draws Us to God
- The Birth of Jesus (Elementary Lesson)
- Names of Jesus: Messiah (Elementary Lesson)
- 10 Simple Advent Wreath Ideas That Will Make Your Classroom Beautiful
- How to Lead Your Kids’ Ministry Through a Beautiful Advent
