Sometimes, young leaders make stupid mistakes. Sometimes, more senior leaders shake their heads in dismay, wishing that these foolish young leaders would just listen, learn, and quit being so bullheaded. There are times, however, when young leaders take unfair heat from older leaders because of generational misunderstandings.<\/p>\n
This article attempts to explain the tension from the perspective of misunderstandings that older leaders might have towards younger leaders. The broad brush strokes used are not an attempt to stereotype \u201cyoung\u201d or \u201cold,\u201d but to sort out some misunderstandings that might arise.<\/p>\n
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Confidence is an essential leadership trait. No one follows someone unless that person possesses some level of confidence.\u00a0Sometimes, however, confidence can be viewed as arrogance. And yes, there is sometimes overlap.<\/p>\n
When an older leader mentors and guides a younger leader, the older leader must be prepared to encounter the younger man\u2019s confidence, without judging it as arrogance. Confidence comes with experience, but it also comes from conviction. Allow confidence to flourish where it is permitted. Without it, the younger cannot lead effectively.<\/p>\n
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One mark of a great leader is their ability to come up with innovative solutions to perplexing problems. Solutions change according to the present needs. Today\u2019s solutions \u2014 pioneered by younger leaders \u2014 will look different from the solutions of a decade or two ago.<\/p>\n
Understandably, change is hard. We tend to resist change, and view it as an affront to our tried and true practices.<\/p>\n
By its very definition, innovation demands making changes, and introducing new\u00a0methods or ideas. Such innovations are not by themselves a sign of insubordination.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m concerned that the \u201crelevance\u201d idea is overplayed in some church ministries. It\u2019s been commandeered as a license for capitulation to worldliness, rather than true gospel-focused contextualization. Nonetheless, some facets of relevance that must be accepted.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the biggest misunderstanding regarding relevance and irreverence is in the arena of worship music styles. Wisdom and grace should characterize these discussions, and we should work hard to understand the fine line between that which is appropriate relevance and inappropriate irreverence.<\/p>\n
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When I was younger (I\u2019m still sort of young), toiling through seminary and embarking upon life, I had a lot of questions. What I learned in my context was that asking questions was dangerous. My questions brought negative responses from others before they produced answers.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve seen this happen many times. A young leader who wants to learn asks questions \u2014 \u201cWhy are we doing it this way? What is the purpose of this? Why can\u2019t we try this? Why is this important? Why isn\u2019t this working?\u201d<\/p>\n
Maybe the young leader\u2019s questions come across in the wrong way. Maybe they seemed to be an attack upon time-honored practices. Maybe they came from a heart of arrogance.<\/p>\n
But maybe the young leader was simply trying to learn. Maybe it\u2019s not rebellion at all.\u00a0The church should be a place where it is safe to ask questions. Even in the realm of leadership, asking questions is often the way to arrive at solutions.<\/p>\n
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Each of the points above is directed towards helping older leaders understand younger leaders. Young leaders, however, should learn from and respect older leaders. Here is some advice for how young leaders can benefit from older leaders, and how older leaders can help younger leaders.<\/p>\n
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How young leaders can profit from older leaders.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Glean the wisdom of older leaders.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ask their advice, even if you think you know better.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Respect their advice, even if you don\u2019t agree with it.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Do more asking than teaching.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Seek to understand their positions rather than throwing out challenges.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Spend as much time as you can with them.<\/p>\n
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How older leaders can help younger leaders.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Let them make mistakes.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Recognize their need to lead, and to eventually replace you.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Understand their role as the new generation of leaders.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Acknowledge the changing cultural milieu, and be open to change<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ask them questions.<\/p>\n
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The point where young meets old \u2014 where the torch is passed, where the lessons are learned and, yes, where tensions can arise \u2014 is the perfect opportunity for change, discovery, progress, and power. The church is kaleidoscope of people, perceptions, visions, ages, races, backgrounds, income levels, IQ levels, nationalities, confusions, sanctifications, and personalities. And it\u2019s beautiful.<\/p>\n
Yes, there will be some friction and disagreement from time to time. This is nothing new.<\/p>\n
Regardless of our age, let\u2019s embrace our role as leaders and love, learn from, submit to, respect, and humbly work together to exalt the name of Jesus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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