WISDOM FOR IMPACTFUL YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Proverbs 4:7
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding”
1) DIVINITY CONNECT
John 15:5
“ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”
— Have a personal relationship with God
— To be impactful ;you must be connected to God, you must not lose contact with the headquarters.
— You must be a student of the Bible
— You must be prayerful
— You must live a holy life
2) PERSONAL GROWTH
Proverbs 9:9
“Give instruction to a wise man , and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man , and he will increase in learning”
To be impactful among youths; you must be growing and know more than them in many things without being pompous.
Youths hates outdated, backward and non-creative leaders. You must know a little of so many things and be current. IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENT, YOU CAN’T BE CORRECT AMONG YOUTHS.
3) RELATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Most youth leaders are program-focused; they are not relational. Youths will not follow you if you only get to them when you have programs. Get interested in their interest and they will move closer to you.
Acts 2:4-6 KJV
[4] “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”
[5] “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven”
[6] “Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, BECAUSE THAT EVERY MAN HEARD THEM SPEAK IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE”
When you speak the language (interest) of youth they will move closer.
INTERESTS OF YOUTHS
— Academics: Gaining admission to higher institutions, Academic challenges.
— Career: Career choice and success.
— Jobs: Getting a good job and changing Jobs.
— Health: Prevention of sickness and healing
— Spiritual challenges: Nightmare, attacks etc
— Emotional Challenge: Fear, low self-esteem, pride, lusts etc
— Relationship and Choice of life partners.
— Sexual struggles: Lusts, pornography ,masturbation, lesbianism ,gay, rape etc
— Problems with Parents
— Peer pressures
4) ADEQUATE PUBLICITY
Matthew 5:14
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid”
— Publicity is very important if your youth leadership must be impactful.
— Normal church announcement is not enough for youth mobilization.
— If you want youths to be committed in the youth fellowship and for them to attend your programs, your publicity must be creative and total.
TYPES OF PUBLICITY
— RELATIONAL PUBLICITY: Leverage on the relationship you've built over time to get many of them committed
— INVOLVEMENT PUBLICITY: Involve them in the publicity; let them know that it is their own program
— INCLUSIVE PUBLICITY: Include them in your program. Let there be youth Choir, ushers, drama
department, protocol etc. Anyone involved in any of this group will be more committed.
— SPECIAL CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENT: Go beyond normal church announcement to announce your program in a better way by the permission of your pastor.
— STREET ANNOUNCEMENT: Let there be banners, radio, handbills etc
5) SOCIAL MEDIA REACH: Your youth department should have Facebook group, whatsaap, twitter, blog, online forum etc get all of them involve in these. Most youths are on social media; meet them there.
6) CREATIVITY: Be creative about your Leadership, programs and fellowship.
— Youth hates dogmatism and routine. Bring righteous creativity to your youth department.
— Learn to walk in the old way but with new shoes.
