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2. The MYM Philosophy: Stewardship, Not Ownership

Marathon Youth Ministry is grounded in a philosophy of stewardship rather than ownership—helping leaders care for their ministry, their people, and themselves with intention and sustainability.

At the heart of Marathon Youth Ministry is a simple but countercultural belief: ministry is something we steward, not something we own.

This philosophy shapes how we design resources, offer coaching, and accompany leaders through seasons of change. It also explains why MYM emphasizes sustainability, clarity, and formation over quick fixes or constant expansion.

What We Mean by Stewardship

Stewardship recognizes that ministry is entrusted to us for a time. We are responsible for caring for it well—but not for controlling every outcome or carrying everything alone.

In practice, stewardship means:

  • Honoring your limits rather than ignoring them

  • Building teams instead of doing everything yourself

  • Planning for continuity, not dependency

  • Making decisions aligned with mission, not urgency

Stewardship invites leaders to lead faithfully without trying to be indispensable.

The Problem with Ownership in Ministry

When leaders unconsciously shift from stewardship to ownership, ministry can become unsustainable.

Ownership often sounds like:

  • “If I don’t do this, it won’t happen.”

  • “No one else can handle this the right way.”

  • “I can rest once things slow down.”

Over time, this posture leads to burnout, frustration, and isolation—not because leaders don’t care, but because they care deeply without adequate support or boundaries.

How This Philosophy Shapes MYM

Everything at Marathon Youth Ministry is designed to reinforce stewardship.

  • M2GO provides shared tools so formation doesn’t depend on one person’s energy or creativity.

  • Ministry Coach helps leaders step back, name what’s actually happening, and choose sustainable next steps.

  • Cohorts normalize shared learning and collective wisdom.

  • Coaching supports leaders in aligning their role with their motivations and capacity.

The goal is not to help you do more—it’s to help you lead more intentionally.

Stewardship and Longevity

Ministry leadership is not measured only by programs delivered or numbers served. It’s also measured by whether leaders can remain present, faithful, and healthy over time.

Stewardship asks different questions:

  • What needs my attention right now—and what doesn’t?

  • Who else can share responsibility for this work?

  • What does faithfulness look like in this season?

These questions guide leaders toward endurance rather than exhaustion.

A Shared Assumption

When you engage Marathon Youth Ministry, you’re stepping into a shared assumption:
You are not meant to carry ministry alone, and you are not failing if you need support.

Stewardship creates space for trust—trust in your team, in the Church, and in God’s work beyond your control.