Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
In my home corps, our youth group was always encouraged to participate in some way in the corps programs. Youth Sundays were special because everyone played an integral part in leading worship. Without fail, one of the adult leaders in the corps would stand before the congregation during the service and declare that we youth people were the future of the Army. They would say this with great pride and hope for The Salvation Army and the kingdom of God as if without us, both would cease to exist in the future. Unfortunately, not everyone looks at younger generations with the same hope. The legacy of the Army left in the hands of upcoming generations can sometimes cause others to question the future.
The future actually begins today. Intentional efforts by current leaders to inspire, educate, motivate and empower today’s youth can have a direct and positive impact on the future of a child and on The Salvation Army.
Proverbs 22:6 is a familiar scripture verse often quoted at baby dedications or junior soldier enrollments. It states, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” In this article I relate this scripture to raising up young leaders to become effective leaders.
My personal story is the catalyst for advocating developing young women to become future leaders. I came to the Army at the age of seven. Life had negatively affected my family and me. Had it not been for my mom reaching out to the Army at Christmas time, my life would have taken on a different and far less constructive path. Through attending the corps, I was nurtured by strong, compassionate women who led in various capacities. They were my corps officers, Sunday school teachers, Sunbeam leaders, youth leaders, soldiers and many mothers. They took this broken and shy young girl and provided opportunities for growth and leadership. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, their involvement as well as corps programs like Torchbearers and Corps Cadets were developing me as a leader. By my teenage years, I understood my spiritual gifts.
Eventually, my corps officers encouraged me to lead as a Sunday school teacher, singing company leader and junior soldier sergeant. I was even given the opportunity to preach from time to time. Most importantly, they taught me the Word of God. This formed my faith, helping me understand who I am in Christ and building a healthy sense of self–worth. Rather than going through the motions of leading, I was being developed from the inside out. Later in my teens I acknowledged the call to officership. Nearly forty years after walking into that corps in Red Bank, New Jersey, I look back and imagine where I would be if those leaders hadn’t taken the time to develop me.
Many young women face challenges in discovering their voice, worth and ability. This is why it is important to begin today developing them for leadership tomorrow. The need is two–fold. First, too many young women grow up in dysfunctional situations, making it difficult for them to see God’s purpose for their lives. Second, the world, the church and the Army, need women who will lead others out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light. Out of bondage into God’s magnificent freedom.
As a corps officer for over twenty years, I have attempted to do for other young women what was done for me. I sum it all up as the acronym that I call L.E.A.D.
Learn: Encourage the discovery and development of spiritual gifts. There are many types of spiritual gift inventories available, some geared specifically for young people. An Internet search can help you find them. Offer positive observations about their abilities. If you notice someone is particularly good at helping others, bring that to their attention and offer sincere encouragement.
Engage: Mentoring is a powerful tool. “Bring your daughter to work day” began with the understanding that the more a young woman is exposed to various vocations, the more she may be encouraged to pursue them in the future. Let young women see what your role in the corps involves.
Assist: Allow them to come alongside you to “assist.” This will not only help you but provide hands–on–training for them.
Delegate: Let go! Here is where the training wheels need to come off! Learning to delegate is one of the hardest but most impactful things for a leader in developing other leaders. Delegate when you sense it is the most practical. Don’t set them up for failure, but leave room for mistakes and give them learning opportunities. Be willing to confidently pass on the mantle to the next generation trusting that your leadership has been effective and God’s grace sufficient.
So, ask yourself, what can I do today to help raise tomorrow’s leaders?
