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- Helping Youth Pastors Disciple Students Since 2010 -
The Interruptions ARE the Ministry

The Interruptions ARE the Ministry

I remember sitting in my office, completely focused on something I thought was really important. As a young youth pastor, I was likely racing against a deadline that I was on the verge of missing. As I typed away at my computer, an older gentleman from our church stopped by. His name was Skip, and he just wanted to shoot the breeze. Skip was a key volunteer in our church and simply wanted to learn more about me and the ministry I was leading. Though we had crossed paths a few times, we didn’t know each other well. We talked for what felt like forever. When Skip finally got up to leave, I felt a sense of relief—I had important things to get back to.

Not long after that, our pastor dropped by. He was an incredible man full of wisdom. We chatted briefly, and I jokingly mentioned the deadline I was working toward and all the interruptions I’d had that day. In his usual gracious yet confident tone, he said, “Sass, you know the interruptions are the ministry, right?” Then he smiled and walked out.

That moment stuck with me. It highlighted a tension that many of us in ministry face – the tension between doing the work of ministry and creating space to build relationships. We know relationships are at the heart of what we do. Tasks like creating content, managing systems, and communicating effectively are important. But if we let administrative duties consume us, we risk missing the most critical aspect of our calling: helping people understand and live in the Gospel. And that rarely happens apart from relationships. If we’re spending all our time doing things and managing programs, we’re not doing the relational ministry that truly transforms lives.

To make time and space for building relationships, here are four principles to consider:

Plan ahead. We’ve all been at events where we didn’t plan as well as we should have. In those moments, we’re scrambling to finalize details while people are arriving, hoping to connect with us. When we’re not prepared, we miss opportunities to engage in meaningful ways. Planning ahead gives us the freedom to be fully present, ready to listen, and connect with the people God brings our way.

Build margin into your schedule. I’ve been guilty of stacking my calendar with back-to-back commitments, leaving no room to reset or breathe. When we rush from one thing to the next, we often miss the hallway conversations or brief moments that nurture relationships. Creating space between tasks or meetings allows for a healthier pace and opens the door for organic connection.

Schedule time for relationships. Set aside blocks of time dedicated solely to connecting with people. Whether it’s grabbing coffee, sharing a meal, or having one-on-one meetings, treat these moments as sacred and as essential as any other responsibility. Protect these times, and you’ll see your relationships flourish.

Prioritize presence over programs. Attend events not just as a leader or organizer but as a participant. Be fully present, listen to people’s stories, and invest in building trust. You don’t always have to be in charge; sometimes, the most meaningful ministry happens when you simply show up as yourself.

Years later, after my pastor’s wise words about interruptions, my associate pastor shared another impactful insight. He told me, “Sass, if you’re in the office, you’re not where I want you to be. I want you where the teenagers and their parents are—and that’s not here.”

He had a vision for successful ministry: it’s not about checking items off a to-do list. It’s about building relationships so people see the integrity of God’s image and feel the influence of His love. When we embody Christ in our interactions, we meet people’s deepest needs. And that’s the essence of ministry.

 

 

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