What Young Leaders Want
I came across an article written by Gary McIntosh of Biola University about what young adults want in leadership. I thought this was very insightful and thought provoking for those who work with young leaders whether in a church, school, or Christian organization. Here is what Dr. McIntosh wrote:
Young leaders want...
Does this reflect the thoughts of young adults in your church? Here are a few good questions for your church to answer in order to see how you are helping young leaders reach their potential. First, how is your church actively pursuing your young leaders? Be specific with your answer. You should have a clear example of how your church is proactive in going after and training young leaders. Second, where can they lead in your church? When I say lead I mean real areas where they are making decisions that impact the direction of your church. Young leaders are like any other leaders in that they not only want responsibilities but the authority to make changes.
One last thing to remember about young adults and leadership: leadership must be earned. So, giving a title or position doesn't necessarily equate leadership to young adults. Trusting someone as a leader comes by spending time, seeing their abilities, and sensing that they care for those they are leading. In other words, relationships are key for leading with young adults.
Young leaders want...
- a relationship
- honest and direct communication
- to feel they are an important part of the leadership team
- to spend time with their supervisors outside of work
- to feel they are involved in ministry that is making an impact in real ways
- to be allowed to make mistakes
- a collaborative atmosphere
- to be given responsibility and to be held accountable
- a say in their job description
- to be taken seriously
- honest affirmation
- to be supported openly
- to be mentored
Does this reflect the thoughts of young adults in your church? Here are a few good questions for your church to answer in order to see how you are helping young leaders reach their potential. First, how is your church actively pursuing your young leaders? Be specific with your answer. You should have a clear example of how your church is proactive in going after and training young leaders. Second, where can they lead in your church? When I say lead I mean real areas where they are making decisions that impact the direction of your church. Young leaders are like any other leaders in that they not only want responsibilities but the authority to make changes.
One last thing to remember about young adults and leadership: leadership must be earned. So, giving a title or position doesn't necessarily equate leadership to young adults. Trusting someone as a leader comes by spending time, seeing their abilities, and sensing that they care for those they are leading. In other words, relationships are key for leading with young adults.
This entry was posted
on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 8:25 AM.
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They want to impact the world around them within a mentoring relationship. That's different from other generations that were content with overseeing programs with no real relationship with their senior leader.
i'm not arguing with you...please don't take this as contradictory...but where do we get the former generation was content to overseeing programs with no real relationship with their senior leader?
nearly every frustrated pastor from the older generation ends up lamenting to me the lack of mentoring they received even though they looked for it. i haven't sensed they never wanted it.
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