“Leaders aren't born,
they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work.
And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal” —
Vince Lombardi
I knew there was something not quite right about leaders
being born. One’s status at birth may prime them for leadership such as
royalty, family business succession, etc, but when a child is born, I don’t
think they can just jump into such a role
without being groomed for the part. A leader should be about learning specific skills rather than possessing natural
qualities. It requires skills that have been honed through learning and practice
rather than genetics. These include listening skills, communication skills,
collaborative skills, empathy and posture/charisma, etc. Desired
qualities will include visionary, integrity, discernment, wisdom, character,
knowledgeable, teachable, etc.
It is true that not all of us will be leaders but today’s teenagers need
nurturing to be successful leaders tomorrow. There is an urgent need to create
and provide the platforms for them to develop the important leadership skills
they will need. Christian teenagers remain our focus and the future of the
faith rests on the continuous and systematic growth of responsible young people
to lead future generations towards the divine purpose for mankind.
The church has some programmes and schemes that provide leadership opportunities
for our young people to become great leaders. Most churches now have their established
and functional Teens Church, with teachers, mentors and with programmes that
support them to bloom and grow, while building their faith. They are allowed to
play a large role in the planning of their service where they, using
interactive methods, teach in Sunday School, minister in song and message,
conduct Bible Quiz, drama depicting life issues affecting them, vocational training,
fellowship and prayer. In order to prepare them for future roles, they have
leaders who take charge of their fellowship, many of whom continue in
leadership roles upon their advancement to the Youth Church.
The Summer Camp is another excellent platform for
teenagers to practice their leadership skills. The camps teach and develop
leadership skills. At the camp, the teenagers are often encouraged to become volunteer
counselors and receive training from camp professionals with years of experience
teaching effective leadership skills.
Brian
Dodd lists 10
Practices of Highly Effective Teenage Christian Leaders:
1.
They Love God –
They place Jesus Christ as the top priority in their life.
2.
They Respect Authority –
They listen to their parents, pastors, teachers and coaches.
3.
They Hang Around Other Highly Effective
Teenage Christian Leaders – Even for teenagers, John Maxwell’s Law
of the Inner Circle applies. Those closest to the leader determine the
success of the leader. Birds of a feather flock together.
4.
They Are Readers –
Much like adult leaders, teenage leaders are readers.
5.
They Are Continual Learners –
They are humble enough to know they do not know it all. Furthermore, they
know learning is a privilege and a joy.
6.
They Embrace Process –
They do their homework every day. They work out every day. They
practice their craft every day. They read their Bible every day.
They even put in extra work. They make every day matter.
7.
They Are Servants –
Whether it is the poor and under-resourced or even-younger children, highly
effective teenage Christian leaders are using their position and influence to
serve others.
8.
They are Creative –
This generation of up-and-coming Christian leaders sees the world through a completely
different lens than my generation. And we are all better off because of
it.
9.
They Are Persistent –
They stay with a task until they get it right.
10.
They Have Big Vision –
Whether it is the internet, events like Passion, growing up in great churches,
youth mission trips or any number of other items, today’s generation of
teenagers have been exposed to much and have big, God-sized visions. May
they achieve them all and more.
There is the popular quote by John C. Maxwell, “Leadership
is influence; nothing more, nothing less”. Other poignant quotes on leader from
Mr. Maxwell include;
“True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned.
It comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned.
The only thing a title can buy is a little time-either to increase your level
of influence with others or to undermine it. Just because someone has a title,
doesn’t mean that person is a leader”.
“When it comes to identifying a real leader… The proof of
leadership is found in the followers.”
As a teenage Christian
leader, what kind of influence do you have on your peers? Skinny jeans
influence? Sagging trousers influence? Tattoo influence? ‘Bare it all’
influence? Bully influence? Drugs and alcohol influence? Liberal sex influence?
“If
your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more,
you are a leader” — John Quincy Adams
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