Faith Nurture, Leadership Development
Inviting Youth to Take the Lead
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It was a bittersweet day today. I have stepped back from a ministry initiative that I have loved being involved with for over 5 years. I have not run out of energy or passion or ideas for this ministry, but there is someone younger than I who I know will better be able to inspire the youth we have been trying to reach. They will be able to see themselves in her in ways that they can’t see themselves in my 54 year old self. After a year of her shadowing me, I know she will be fantastic in this role and I will continue to support and encourage her to take this ministry to the next level. It is bittersweet because while I will miss the hands on work, I am so excited to see this new leader use her gifts to further God’s Kingdom.
In her book Got Religion? Naomi Schaefer Riley writes about why young people are leaving religious institutions. She observes that one way to encourage young adults to remain engaged in the life of faith is to help them find ways to significantly contribute to their communities of faith. This can be done by involving them in the leadership and decision making areas of their life together. Youth and young adults have to begin to see that they are NOT the church of the future, they are the church of NOW. They need to have ownership in the ministries they will be asked to step into. Mentoring them into leadership roles allows them to have a stake in how the church participates in the ministries of reconciliation, justice and the renewal of all things in Christ.
Here are a few themes to think about as we disciple the next generation of leaders:
It was a bittersweet day today, but it was time to let go and that can also feel really good. Who knows what God will place into open, waiting hands?
Children's Ministry, Faith Nurture
Children's Ministry, Faith Nurture
Faith Nurture
Faith Nurture
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