Everyone Focused on Discipling the Next Generation
For more than two decades, churches and organizations alike have faced a growing challenge — a leadership pipeline crisis. Forbes reports that the nonprofit sector has struggled with this for over 20 years, citing rigid job requirements, a lack of diversity, poor leadership development, and widespread burnout. The parallels in ministry are undeniable.
As a movement, we’re watching many of our lead pastors age while younger leaders hesitate to step into those roles. Some feel unwelcome or unprepared. Others look at the pressures of ministry and quietly decide it’s not worth it. If nothing changes, we’ll continue to open Door #1 — a discouraging future without enough leaders.
But what if we opened Door #2 — a door of hope?
God has always raised up leaders who are uniquely gifted for their time. The Builders and Boomers laid the foundation of faith through hard work, sacrifice, and prayer. Generation X — the bridge builders — challenged the status quo and helped the church engage a rapidly changing world. Each generation has brought distinct gifts that the Spirit has used to shape the Church.
So what about the next generation — Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha? What gifts will the Spirit use through them?
They are Creators, bringing innovation, technology, and creativity that make faith more accessible and relevant.
They are Authentic, craving a faith that’s real and relational, not just traditional. Their curiosity challenges the Church to be more transparent and grow.
They are Advocates, standing up for justice, inclusion, and healing. They’ll call us to reflect the radical inclusivity of Jesus with both our words and actions.
And they are collaborators, thriving in teamwork and believing the best leadership tables include every generation, culture, and gender.
Imagine if the Church became the first to fully embrace and empower these gifts — inviting young leaders not just to sit at the table, but to lead alongside us.
That’s where an apprenticeship comes in. Modelled collaborative learning allows young leaders to grow while we share the wisdom of experience. But it also calls for humility from both sides — for emerging leaders to embrace teachability, and for seasoned leaders to make space, extend trust, and release authority.
One of our pastors, James, recently left a thriving Calgary ministry to lead a church in Yellowknife. It didn’t make sense on paper, but he and his family responded to God’s call, modelling what it means to follow without limits. Another young leader, Jenna, started as an administrative assistant but was intentionally invited into leadership spaces and given opportunities to lead before she felt “ready.” Today, she’s helping others develop apprentices of their own.
These stories remind us that leadership development doesn’t happen by accident — it happens when someone chooses to invest intentionally.
So here’s the challenge: Look beside you. Who could be sitting in those empty chairs in the future because you chose to invest in them today?
Pick two emerging leaders with potential. Invite them close. Teach them, trust them, and release them. Because the leaders of tomorrow will sit in the seats we choose to fill — and the Church’s future depends on it.
By Jessica Collins and Kevin Janzen, adapted from their message to the PAOC Annual General Meeting in May 2025.
Kevin has served as the Coach/Credential & Clergy Records Lead for ABNWT. He loves calling potential out of emerging leaders and helping them grow in their unique, God-given purpose. ABNWT has some of the best young leaders in the country, and it’s an honour for Kevin to get to work with them. Kevin is husband to Kristin and dad to Livia, Lincoln, and Lennon.