No matter what church I visit, or what church leader I talk to, they will all tell me the same thing: We need more leadership. Whether it’s to run new ministries or to take over old ones as existing leaders move, burn out, or pass on, the church is constantly in need of new leadership.
Where do these leaders come from? Do they magically appear out of thin air? Of course not. New leaders are the product of God’s gifting and development. Many churches are joining God in this process and have set up leadership development programs to help these emerging leaders grow and learn.
One place that we’re not always looking however, is in the ranks of our youth programs. The fact is, when we don’t develop leadership within our youth we are missing out on the leadership of many young people that God has gifted and called. I know that many church leaders are careful not to put too young a person into leadership positions, but the truth of the matter is that student leaders grow into adult leaders. Before you know it your students are out of school and out of the youth group; ready and willing to lead.
We need to develop the leadership of young people just as we need to develop other leaders in our church. Youth may seem too young, too immature, or unwilling, but if we don’t start developing youth leaders, we are missing a great opportunity to invest in the future of our young people, and in the future of our churches.
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