Leading the Next Generation By Kevin Johnson District NYI President

Leading the Next Generation A Purpose driven life (being a disciple of Christ) Understanding Time and Season Becoming a Leader Nine Components of Purposeful Youth Ministry

The Next Generation It is said that each generation spans over forty years (40) this means it has forty years of history, culture, traditions, and principles.

A Purpose Driven Life (Discipleship) Proverbs 11:28 Jeremiah 17: 7-8 It is not about you. The purpose of your life is greater than your own personal fulfillment. Focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose. You were made by God and for God – and until you understand that life will never make sense. It all starts with God.

Understanding Time and Season I Chronicles 12:32 Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2 Change is inevitable. There is always room for change. Nothing is as permanent as change. Change is a component of purpose. Change is evidence of life. Ignoring the season of change will forfeit destiny. You have the power to determine the quality and effectiveness of your future by your response to change.

Becoming a Leader Leaders are visionaries. Leadership is the ability of one person to influence others. Leaders are visionaries. Leaders are not defined by the their past or confined by external factors. Leaders set others free to become leaders. Success without a successor is failure. Leadership is born out of character and determination. If you are going to be an effective leader, you must be prepared. Ambition that strives to serve others is honorable. You should be motivated by your love for people, not by your desire to be great. As a leader, you cannot “drive” people; you must “lead” them. Real promotion comes from your growth, preparation and experience. Leaders don’t draw attention to themselves. You can only lead someone as far as you’ve gone yourself.

Only God gives spiritual authority. Be faithful over a little and you will rule over much. A leader must live every word he speaks. Leaders must be servants. A leader is an innovator. If you want to be a leader in God’s Kingdom, you’ve got to be a person who knows how to deal effectively with your failures and the failures of others. Leaders learn from others, but they are not made by others. Leaders learn by leading and they learn best by leading in the face of obstacles. As weather shapes mountains, so problems make leaders. When people have confidence in your leadership, your work will prosper. Leaders are individuals who have declared independence from the expectations of others and have determined to be true to themselves in the face of a society who wants to homogenize them. Everyone has the capacity to become a leader. The purpose for leadership is not the maintenance of followers, but the production of leaders. The ingredients of leadership cannot be taught, they must be learned; the capacity to learn resides in you.

Manager or Leader The manager is a copy; the leader is an original. The manager maintains; the leader develops. The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people. The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust. The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why. The manager has his eyes on the bottom line; the leader has his eyes on the horizon. The manager imitates; the leader originates. The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it. The manager is the classical good soldier; the leader is his own person. The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.

Hindrances to Becoming a Leader Fame and Status Ambition as oppose to vision Lack of accountability Lack of responsibility Immaturity Extremists Unforgiveness Personal vendettas

9 Components of a Purposeful Youth Ministry Power of God Purpose Potential Audience Programs Process Planned Values Parents Participating Leaders Perseverance

Diagram 1 Core Congregation Community

Diagram 2

Diagram 3