Leaders will always be needed to guide the church and to facilitate growth. The important role that leaders play in church governance necessitates the training of the next generation of leaders for effective transition and sustainability. This is true for all levels of church leadership, starting with the local church. In fact, the founders of Adventism were mostly youth.

The discussion about whether leaders are born or made has been around for a long time. We have seen good leaders whose behavior is admirable, and bad leaders who do exactly the opposite of what we expect from a Christian leader. Whether you believe that some people are born to be leaders or think that all leaders have to be trained; the important thing to recognize is that we need leaders in society, and in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who lead like Jesus. Jesus led with compassion (Matthew 9:36), had a clear focus on His mission of saving souls (Mark 1:38), was humble (Philippians 2:6–8), received power from above (Matthew 9:6, 7), and devoted Himself selflessly to humanity (John 13:1–17).

The local church structure provides many opportunities for leadership. We need pastors, elders, deacons, department heads, and members of the church board. The list in the church manual is not comprehensive, and some may take on leadership roles in areas of church life that are not formally defined, such as in the beautification of the physical building and its surroundings. People don’t need to wait until they are old to assume leadership roles. In fact, learning how to lead when one is still young bodes well for the future of the church.

Developing future leaders. Involving young people in leadership roles and in the process of making decisions for the church gives them valuable experience and helps develop their skills.

Guidance in leadership. Young people who are selected for church leadership should receive guidance and training from more experienced leaders in the church before and during the time they perform their duties.

Innovative contributions to the church. Young people frequently contribute innovative ideas, solutions, and strategies that are relevant to their world, which older church members might miss.

Sharing and enhancing young people’s spirituality. There is a connection between leadership and spirituality. 1 Timothy 4:12 calls young people to set an example “by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity” (The Message).

Fostering young people’s involvement in church leadership and in the church’s mission requires that experienced leaders and young people cooperate. In a sense, it is a two-way street where both parties collaborate.

Adult leaders must set a good example in modeling the qualities presented above. They need to illustrate in word, action, and attitude how Christian leadership is different from worldly leadership. People trained well in Christian leadership can perform well in many leadership roles both inside and outside their local church. This is because Jesus is and will always be their Master Leader.

Church leaders must be intentional in involving young people in church leadership and decision-making. They must provide a variety of leadership training and mentoring programs, and opportunities. They must also understand that developing leaders takes time.

Lastly, young people must learn to take responsibility for their own leadership development. They must be accountable for their own decisions and choices. They must also feel accountable to their local church. The local church is theirs as much as it is for the adults. They need to take co-ownership of their local church’s health and growth.

Young people involved in leadership must realize that “our calling is to lead like Jesus in every context, so people can see consistency as we follow Christ in our attitudes, actions, and conversations. Thus, a Christ-centered and Spirit-filled learning approach is needed in young people and in the life of the church.

Adapted article from Safary Wa-Mbaleka, Research & Evaluation Manager of the Archives, Statistics, & Research, General Conference. Read the full article here