Global Youth Ministry Network - Asia

A book that has greatly influenced my ministry is “The Next Generation Leader” by Andy Stanley. This book was first published 6 years ago yet the principles are very much applicable for those who work with the youth today. So I’m going through these principles as well as including some thoughts on how this can be applied to our ministry to young people. This is the 5th of five parts.

5. Those who follow you will judge you not so much from where you led them but how you led them.

To lead with character will cost you more in terms of effort, time and money than to lead without. But in the long run, character makes us into leaders worth following.

If we are to lead young people into Christlikeness, character is essential. Our young people pick up our traits and habits. They are quite quick to pick up the bad habits. I keep the thought of Robert Murray M’Cheyne in mind on this “The greatest need of my people is my personal holiness.”

Some ways this could apply personally are:

1. Your public life should also be the one you live in private. Not to have the same morals in all areas of our life will undermine your character.
2. If you are married or have children, your family needs to take greater importance than your ministry. Young people will notice if we do or don’t do this, and in our age where family is often sacrificed on the altar of work, will be a good testimony on prioritizing relationships.
3. Also: let your close friends know the kind of person you are struggling to become. They know who you are and can be of help should you drift on certain areas.

There you have it. These 5 C’s: Competence, Courage, Clarity, Coaching and Character have been of great help to my ministry.  May you also draw upon them to be the best leader you can be, drawing the youth closer to Christ. Dream big dreams for them… then make them happen.