Our 4th installment of New Position advice is perhaps the hardest of all. It’s also good advice for any youth minister at any point in their career, not just the beginning.

Ask for help. It’s easy to think that we are supposed to be everything to everyone all the time. It’s easy to think we are the only ones that can do what we do. It’s easy to fear that if we show we need help or can’t do everything ourselves, it will mean we are less awesome.

When we start at a new job, we feel pressure to show we can handle it. Asking for help means we can’t handle it on our own, right? Well, not exactly. Delegation is an important part of leadership, too. Recruit a strong group of volunteers, or if one such group already exists, utilize them. They will have insight, experience, and most importantly, they will help you avoid burnout, the natural predator of youth ministers.

It’s scary to let go of the reigns sometimes, but it’s necessary to maintain forward momentum. Because we should be striving to do things better each time we try them, asking for feedback or support is crucial. Does it mean that you can’t do it all on your own? Maybe. But it doesn’t make you any less of a good youth minister, because it shows you are able to make the ministry not all about you, and it shows that you are in it for the long haul.

Ask for help. Preferably before you need it.