The dilemma that I am faced with however is expansion and how to be able to do that. While most people in suburban areas have a large number of people to pull upon as leaders, the country lacks that to a degree, especially when you are talking about younger people.
Now I know what you are saying at the moment - a youth leader does not have to be young, and I agree, but I would say the majority of older people in our church are already involved in other areas of ministry currently. So then what do I do? Where do I find more leaders for the ministry so as we are able to grow, both numerically, but also more importantly spiritually? Leaders that will be willing to run small groups, mentor kids, go and hang out with them etc.
One thought that has been passed by me is that I should take some time and train up the older youth - years 11 and 12 and get them to then assist and be leaders with the younger group. Whilst I can se merits in this, I can also see downfalls.
Merits
- Trains the older ones and prepares them for leadership roles in other churches once they leave.
- Fills a potential gap (currently this would be the case, especially for the girls as we are unsure what the current female leaders will be doing next year.)
Downfalls
- We make them leaders before they are ready and take away them being youth therefore separating them from the others.
- What happens when only some of that year group would be suitable to be leaders. What happens to the rest. Does this then seem to show favoritism?
These are just some that I have come up with, but I am sure there are more in both fields that could be added. I think though that the downfalls outweigh the merits in the end. (even if that is not the case above)
What other solutions are there? If anyone has one then I would love to hear about it and discuss it with you further.
In the meantime I will continue to commit this to prayer and trust God that he will raise up the right people at the right time.
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