Chapter 3 : Youths - Leaders of Today!

Often we hear these slogans, “Youths are the Leaders of Tomorrow!”, “Youths hold the key to tomorrow!” etc.

They are true and right. But often inherent to these slogans, we assume that youth could only make meaningful contribution to the society when they grow up! i.e. they can only start to lead when they are older, wiser, more mature etc.

No wonder we see youths not being challenged to rise up at all; especially those in churches!

In schools, a 15-yr-old is expected to lead a uniform group (eg Co-Curriculum Activities), run projects, execute plans. They are not treated as a liability! They are treated as an individual who is able to contribute. They are expected to model, lead the way, be trustworthy and demonstrate responsibility.

Yet, in churches, they are meant to be seen not heard. They are expected only to receive and learn. In most situations there is nothing structured or intentionally designed to engage them with their PRESENT abilities. What a pity!

Youths are often looked down in churches.

However, 1 Tim 4:12 says, "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

Even in the days of Timothy, the “habit” of belittling youth existed. Paul challenged Tim NOT to allow such perceptions to limit him. Rather, Tim must, through his life, model as an example to all who believed.

Youths are the leaders TODAY! We should not wait till they are older to engage them in meaningful contribution or service. We need to learn how to tap into the potential and energy within them and stretch them towards maturity.

Yes. They are youthful, immature and easily influenced. There is a limit to how much they can do. Hence there is a need to give to them age-appropriate means to disciple and deploy them.

Youths are the leaders TODAY! We need to allow God to show us how best to engage the 13-16, 16-20, 20-25….

Personally I have seen many youths being “discipled and deployed”. And they delivered what were expected of them. I mentioned that was done in Schools Co-Curriculum activities. I have also seen such examples in Community Service as well.

What could we learn from these examples of engaging youths as leaders today?
I believe there are several principles that we can learn and adapt into our church discipling programs for the youths.

Principle of Environmental Factors - Authority and Discipline (Guidance)
I choose the start with authority and discipline because young people need to know that there is a clear boundary. Unfortunately many grow up without a proper boundary system in their lives. They are used to do what they want, when they want. Apart from existing family systems which are cracking in many homes (Christian families included), schools are also failing in setting good boundary system due to workload, etc.

Thus, there is a great and urgent need to establish such environments from the start. An environment where boundaries are set up to respect authority and instill discipline is necessary for proper learning and growing to take place.

Principle of Affirming Culture - Award and Recognition (Motivation)
Environmental factor (external) and culture (internal).
We need to develop a healthy affirming culture. Notice the word “healthy”. We need to be affirming but our affirmation MUST be healthy lest it becomes mere flattery.
In many circles where affirmation is commonly practiced, I have found them to be human flattery (too much usage of superlative) more than affirmation.

What then is healthy affirming culture?
Firstly we need to know the purpose of Affirmation. It is to endorse, highlight, confirm the positive. Thus there is a need to define what is the positive action, gesture, attitude, etc. A mere statement ie “you are great” means nothing! You need to describe the part which makes you think that the person is great ie “Your selfless giving to the poor is great! I am touched.”

Secondly, we need to promote such affirming action. Youths need to know what is acceptable and what is not. Thus, promoting affirming action done by them is in itself an affirming act. In the process, we are also communicating our values as demonstrated in their actions. Common activities would be “end of camp appreciation” for the youth leaders. We use such moments to highlight what they have done well.

Thirdly, we need to redefine our culture. As in all things good, even good affirmation can erode due to neglect or overuse. Thus the need to revisit and reshape our culture. Culture is defined as the way we do things as a result of our values.

Principle of Meaning and Passion (Motivation)
How do we get the youths to stay connected and committed?
We need to help them to draw meaning from their actions. All of humanity is looking for meaning in life. We are such because God has created us for meaningful passion. We are created for Him. Thus, showing them how the outcome of their action contributes to LOVE (God is love) would spur them on.

Principle of Youth Development (Knowledge, Skills and Values)
For effective discipleship and deployment, we need to ensure that our youths are given the right knowledge and skills (through exciting means). It is important to note that there must be relevance and use (this reinforces the principle of meaning and passion) for the knowledge and skills taught. The lesser the amount we use, immediately, the least the motivation to learn.

Recently, I was reminded that in some under developed countries, how youths were called upon to lead. Eg. a 15-yr-old daughter of a senior pastor preached powerfully to more than a 15,000 -strong crowd; an 18-yr-old lady in China could be leading more than 10,000 members in an underground churches.

What is my point?
Youths are the Leaders TODAY!
Engage THEM!