Transforming Teenagers into Leaders

I have a confession. I hope this is a safe space.

For most of my years in ministry, my discipleship and leadership development strategies were haphazard at best.

When I look back on my development and the development of the students and others that I have been blessed to work with, I see a few common threads.

As you will see, each thread has the qualifier ‘appropriate.’ This is your reminder that leadership is never one-size-fits-all. Just as there is incredible diversity and individual complexity in the body of Christ, the growth of those individuals must be nuanced and adaptive.

With that said,

1. Appropriate Challenge

Humanity longs for something to pursue. God has given us an appetite for ambition and significance. As leaders, we have the opportunity to point them in the direction of the greatest pursuits. We get to highlight the unique spark our people have, which many are oblivious to.

In Hero Maker by Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird, they talk about ICNU conversions (ICNU = I See In You). Look back at your journey. Some of the most profound influences in my life are those who identified something in me. They called me beyond mediocrity. They gave me a vision of what could be and how I was an essential piece to that mission.

With our emphasis on efficiency, or maybe because of the complexity of leadership, we sometimes set the bar too low for our people, hoping that the most immature might take on the challenge. Many of our people are under-challenged in this scenario, and their growth is stunted. Each of us needs a level of challenge that will push us beyond our comfort but not so far that we are left hopeless and discouraged.

2. Appropriate Opportunity

A key influence on my ministry philosophy was the Hemorrhaging Faith research from the EFC Youth and Young Adult Ministry Roundtable.

This research boiled effective youth ministry down to four primary keys, one of which was essentially Dynamic Faith-Shaping Experiences – opportunities to have their faith stretched.

Things like short-term mission trips, retreats, conventions and camps – these monumental, set-apart experiences are transformational in the lives of our teenagers. They have unique opportunities to serve, connect with God, hear His voice and take ownership of their faith.

Another application of this idea is to allow students to plan or lead ministries that might seem beyond their capacity. There’s something about being stretched beyond their comfort zone that creates a greater dependency on God and the excitement of watching Him work through their efforts!

Allow students to plan events, day camps for kids, outreach endeavours, a youth group talk – whatever it is – allow them to step up to try something challenging.

Daniel Im, in No Silver Bullets, asserts that learning is primarily experiential. We usually spend an excessive amount of time teaching and allowing them to listen and learn, while we would be better served by releasing them to try new things, make mistakes, and learn on the job.

Once again, the experiences must be contextual. An appropriate opportunity might look like praying aloud for one student, while another might be ready to direct your children’s program.

3. Appropriate Support

Along with challenges and opportunities, our people need the appropriate level of support. Then drawing them back for feedback and learning will propel them to greater future success. I’m talking about finding the cadence between micro-managing and throwing them in the deep end without a life jacket, giving them enough leash to explore, succeed, fail safely, and learn.

As we are called to in Ephesians 4: 12, the ministry of developing people is highly relational. It’s empowering. It’s releasing. Therefore, it’s risky and uncomfortable. But the results will be worth it as we see leaders equipped for life and service.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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