The Harvest is Plentiful but the Hours are Few
How to avoid decision paralysis in student ministry when there’s so much to do and not enough hours in the week.
Student ministry has so many facets: discipling students one-on-one, launching small groups, planning events, dreaming about mission and outreach, answering tough questions from your students, and perhaps after all that, there hasn’t been time for tackling that brilliant idea you had three years ago. So now you’re here today, with far too many ideas and dreams to fit in to 37.5 hours a week (and that’s if you even have that many hours in your student work role).
‘The world is your oyster’ doesn’t feel so good when every option feels equally brilliant. So how do we avoid inaction? The answer, simply put, is to choose something and crack on. But how do you choose? Try this technique to break the cycle:
The Decision-Making Exercise
This exercise takes about 1-2 hours (adjust as needed). All you need is some paper, pens, and space to think. The goal? To identify and commit to one new priority in your ministry.
1. List All the Options
Let’s start by getting every idea in your mind out onto paper. On separate pieces of paper write:
Page 1: Non-Negotiables
Write down the things you already do—things that already consume your time and can’t be dropped (e.g., Sunday services, existing 1-1s with students, staff meetings etc).
Page 2: New Ideas
Write every idea that you could ever want to start (yes even that one). Until you feel as though you have nothing else left you could possibly want to add to this sheet.
Page 3: Goals & Values
Write a short summary, or a few words and phrases that describe the things you would like to be the outcome of your ministry, and the values that you hold dear to you when it comes to this time spent in ministry to students.
2. Visualize Each Idea as a "Door"
Picture every idea as a door you could open. Visual learners might want to literally sketch doors and label them. For each door, ask yourself the following questions:
1. What if this happens?
- What positive outcomes will this decision bring?
- How will this change your ministry for the better?
2. What if this doesn’t happen?
- What will you gain by not pursuing this idea?
- How does the idea of not pursuing this idea make you feel?
3. What won’t happen if this happens?
- What would you be giving up or losing by pursuing this idea?
4. What won’t happen if this doesn’t happen?
- What opportunities or growth might be lost if you leave this door closed?
5. What do you need to make this happen?
- Do you already have access to these resources? (skills, money, space)
- Who do you need to get involved?
By reflecting on these questions, you’ll begin to see which doors are worth opening—and which might not be.
3. Examine the Results
Now, compare your options:
- Which idea aligns most closely with your ministry goals and values?
- Which has the most potential for a positive impact on your students/students at your local university?
- Which feels most manageable within your current capacity (look through your Q5 answers)?
Pray and ask God if there is one He is revealing to you to pursue through this exercise. Circle or highlight the idea(s) that stands out.
4. Take Action
It’s time to commit. Choose the door you want to push open, and write down the first step you’ll take to get started. Set a deadline for when you want to take this step by, and let someone else know (a line manager, mentor, church leader, or colleague). Thank Holy Spirit for his creativity, and offer the rest of the ideas to him.
Remember, it’s okay if you revisit this exercise in the future—choosing one thing now doesn’t mean saying no to everything else forever.
Our Student Mission Coaching team would love to support you as you make exciting plans for reaching and discipling students in your city. Did you know, we run coaching cohorts where you can get together with other student workers and a member of our team to connect, process and sharpen your ministry? Check them out here Student Work Cohorts - Fusion.
