3 Things the Next Generation Wants From a Leader

What is the greatest gift that those of us in leadership can give to the next generation of leaders? That is a question I have wrestled with ever since I first started serving in vocational ministry. Several years ago I had the privilege of reading the book AND:  The Gathered and Scattered Church by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay. At the time, our church was going through a process of strategic planning and there was one quote that really struck me. It spoke about what the next generation of church leaders wants from the present generation of leaders. I was so moved that I literally highlighted the entire page, partially because this is exactly how I feel as a young pastor, but also because it is a reminder of what I need provide the next generation as I grow as a leader.  Here is what it says: "Let me give you a few hints as to things that the next generation of church leaders probably don't want or need from you:  your building (if it carries a big mortgage), your debt, the unchurched culture's present level of disrespect and disdain for the church, and your parishioners' apathetic consumer tendencies.  Younger leaders won't want our iron-clad denominational loyalties, outdated ministerial codes of ethics, insensitive and unrealistic success measurements, or lengthy academic requirements that make them put real life and ministry on hold for a paper degree.  They won't have much use for our massive wood pulpits, our pews, our individualistic communion trays, or our choir robes. But here's what they do want from us:  they will want your Bible commentaries and some use of your buildings, as long as it doesn't carry a lot of cost or control over their lives.  Other than that, and a little cash, what they want most is your expertise, your mentoring, your encouragement, and a chance to hear the stories that will inform and inspire their leadership roles.  They want tangible memories of how you modeled sacrifice, humility, teachability, risk, and courage in the face of ecclesial political pressure.  They want to be inspired by how you gave away ministry, prestige, and power.  They want to be entrusted with levels of responsibility that make them desperate for God's help.  They want freedom to invent new ways of cultural engagement, discipleship, and teaching without being belittled if they fail.  They want you to trust them to know how to reach their own generation.  In short, they want a concerned but nurturing coach and someone after whom they can pattern their faith and leadership.  The biggest gift you can hand down is faith." Did you catch that? What the next generation most deseparately needs from you, as a leader, is…well…YOU! They need you. They need a window into your life. They desire a glimpse into the hearts of their leaders. They don’t need a list of principles, five year plans, or organizational charts. They don’t need more bylaws, policies, or a four-to-eight-year process to ordination. What they do need is a glimpse of what it looks like to live as biblical leaders. They need to know what a Gospel-centered, Spirit-led, Christ-shaped life looks like. They want to see how you lead your families as well as your congregations. They want someone with experience, who has experienced the highs and lows of ministry, who has suffered and celebrated, walked and cried with their congregations, and passionately loves and pursues the lost, to help guide them as their leaders and mentors. Powerful words to live by and strive for. So I want to end by, first of all, saying thanks to the teachers and mentors who have poured so much into me over the years.  ou know who you are and you mean more to me than I can express. But I also want to ask the question, “How might you invite the next generation of leaders into your life today?” My prayer is that this next generation would not simply inherit our churches and congregations, but also our character and convictions as they have watched us live them out in our own leadership. PS Buy the book.  It is worth the read:)