Youth Leadership

Good leadership includes knowing the answers to problems people may have; great leadership is knowing when someone wants nota solution but to be seen and heard in their struggles. This is what empathy looks like. More than just saying you understand what someone is saying, it means actively listening and trying to feel what that person is feeling. Empathy is the best way for people to authentically connect with one another and for the young person to feel heard and understood, something we all want in life.

Now

Listen to this podcast about how youth leadership not only starts at the congregational level but also involves listening to and empathizing with youth. It’s a great listen for your workout, a long walk in your neighborhood or your commute to school or campus.

Next

‍Think about the times you’ve been with friends and just needed to vent. Did they empathize with your struggles or celebrations? How can you be that empathetic person for someone else in your congregation, especially a young person?

As you can tell, a leader is more than someone who makes decisions; they're someone people can turn to in times of sorrow, challenge and celebration. Being a leader doesn’t require a title; it's a role we embody.

Before you go

‍Contemplate Paul's words in 1 Timothy 4:12: "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example for the believers in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

A quick prayer

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