Invite Them to the Party

Neither of us are intelligent enough to answer that popular question, but we are smart enough to have personally experienced that good leaders are FOUND.

Every leader we know seems to have something in common—they have been personally invited and challenged to lead within a ministry by an older leader. When Doug was young (think stone age), his youth pastor--Jim Burns (think pre-stone age) invited and challenged Doug to lead. Years later, when Doug was Matt's youth pastor he challenged Matt (think young and inexperienced) in much the same way. We are convinced that neither of us would be the leaders we are today without the nudge from an older leader.

One of the most powerful actions you can take as a youth ministry leader is to believe in someone's potential. What does belief do? Well, when I know someone believes in me, I'm opened up to possibilities about my future that I may have never considered on my own.

Think about a person who has believed in you along your journey. What have you done in your life because you were believed in?

Now, let's turn these thoughts toward the teenagers in your youth ministry who are waiting to be invited to a higher calling of servant leadership.

It's tough to build a student leadership team with simply announcements and a nice promotional piece. While there's nothing wrong with these actions to help get the word out, information doesn't find leaders—leaders find leaders. Here are five ways to consider inviting teenagers to join your leadership team:

Ask personally--talk one on one and face-to-face with teenagers and paint a picture of what it would look like for them to lead in your youth ministry.

Ask diplomatically--don't go for the "guilt trip/hard sell" and pressure kids into leading. Be sure you provide a way out for those teenagers who may not be ready yet. A manipulated decision rarely takes root and lasts.

Ask specifically—provide articulate next steps so teenagers know exactly what's expected and how to proceed.

Ask relationally--talk to the people you know in your church and ask them who they believe might be a good candidate for leader. After you've gathered some names go to those teenagers and encourage them by saying, "I talked to John and he really believes that you can be a student leader in our ministry. I'd like to invite you to consider this opportunity."

Ask strategically--approach students who are already showing signs of biblical leadership because they are currently serving in your ministry. Jesus turned the world's leadership model upside down when he required leaders to serve. Don't simply focus on the popular kids, look to those who are serving.

If you're a volunteer youth worker: you don't need an official leadership team to challenge teenagers to lead… see their potential and invite them to something more.

Who can you tap on the shoulder this week and invite into a position of servant leadership?