There are two possibilities for Young Leaders to learn how to lead:

a)      Pioneering: Learning by taking on responsibility for something (project, group…) that did not exist before.

b)      Mentoring: Learning by taking on responsibility for something that was run by someone else before. The former leader made space for the young one to be able to take over.

This demands two issues:

 a)      Space: How shall a young person learn to lead and make experiences if all positions / seats are taken?

b)      Mentorship / Discipleship: How shall a young person learn how to lead and make experiences if everything that he / she says / does must be perfect?

Ask yourself:

Is there space in your group / community / committee for young people?

Are young people allowed to learn and to make mistakes in your team?

Are you taking on responsibility for a young person? (are you a mentor?)

Is it really a hearts desire of you to have young people “on board” or is it just because “man needs young people”?

It is a basic task for all leaders to invest into new leaders. Not only at the end of your period of leadership but from the very beginning on. This demands to prepare space for young leaders in your teams and to offer mentorship.

Some words about mentorship :

No:      “You do the job from now on and I can retire”

No:      “I do the job till you have learnt how to do it as well as I am able to do the job!”

YES:    Mentorship = Making space for someone who takes over some parts of the project, while being observed and advised. This does not need to be 100% of a “taking over” from the very beginning, but it will be in the end!

Mentoring Young Leaders means:

a) High risk:   He / she could not be as fruitful as I thought he / she would be.

   He / she could make mistakes that could ruin my “good reputation”. It is hard and discouraging to invest into someone who does not bear fruits or who decides for the wrong in the end.

 b) High price:    It needs a lot of time, energy, money, patience and more … till someone has truly learnt his / her lessons…

The Joshua-principle:

 Joshua was not able to enter the Promised Land, to fight and to win the victory, to listen to Gods commands and to lead the whole tribe of Israel just because he was a gifted person!

He was able because Moses took him a side, shared life with him, taught him everything he knew himself, passed on little jobs to him and helped him to gain experiences. These experiences and the times shared with Moses enabled Joshua to become a gifted leader of the people, to become a good listener to the Lords voice and to become a faithful servant of the Lord!

For Moses this meant:

-          He invested a lot of time, energy and patience into a young leader.

-          He started to share the job with Joshua in his late days.

-          He stood behind (supported) Joshua while he was acting and therefore the people followed Joshua naturally since they trusted Moses.

-          He made himself “not needed anymore” while raising up his follower.

It is a basic job of a leader in the Kingdom of God to do his job faithfully while raising up others and making them able to grow. Since a good leader is investing in new leaders he / she will make them able to be even better than he / she could do it by himself / herself. While doing this the leader makes himself / herself “not needed anymore” – this is a true servant's heart attitude and a humble gesture.

A son needs a father and a grandfather!

A new leader needs spiritual fathers (mentors) and grandfathers!

 

QUESTIONS

1.Where are your Joshuas?

2. Are you acting like a Moses?