LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL AGES

Background Aspects of

Leadership Leadership

Development and Healthy Congregations

Ideas and Suggestions for Your Congregation

BACKGROUND & HISTORY

Age segregation is recent cultural phenomenon in human history

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY IN CONGREGATIONS

People of all ages can Worship together Learn with and from

each other Work for justice

together Celebrate and honor

life’s passages together

Develop strong relationships across generations

CONGREGATIONS CAN BE THE WHOLE VILLAGE Young people need many role models; parents need other adults to have healthy relationships with their children.

ASPECTS OF LEADERSHIP

Everyone can be a leader

Everyone needs leadership skills at some point in life

Leadership development and faith development are closely related

Leadership experiences can lead to spiritual growth

GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN LEADERSHIP STYLES

Mature (born 1922-1945) ~ respectful, practical, hard-working, stable

Baby boomers (1946-1964) ~ clear sense of mission/vision, team-focused, dedicated

Gen X (1965-1980) ~ independent, adaptable, results-oriented

Gen Y (1981-2000) ~ hopeful, optimistic, value positive, collaborative leaders

LEADERSHIP CAN BE TAUGHT

SIX COMPONENTS OF A BALANCED, HEALTHY CONGREGATION

For All Ages: Opportunities

for worship and spiritual development

Community building and encouragement of building healthy relationships

SIX COMPONENTS, CONTINUED

For all ages: Structured

educational & formal learning opportunities

Occasions to learn and practice leadership development skills

SIX COMPONENTS

For all ages: Meaningful

contributions & social justice work

Many strong relationships across the generations

Youth who participate in Faith Communities and Leadership Development experiences are:

More likely to do well in school

Be involved in their communities

Make healthy choices about alcohol, drugs and sex

Transition positively through adolescence to adulthood

What can your congregation do?

Look at all activities and groups; ensure that all ages are represented, included, invited

Create mentoring or buddy programs for newer and/or younger members so they know someone in a group or on a committee

Invite & support family teams for worship-related roles and tasks

MORE IDEAS FOR YOUR CONGREGATION

Invite and mentor young people to take leadership roles on committees, at events, in planning groups

Implement leadership development training beginning in older elementary grades

CLOSING THOUGHTS ~ MULTIGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Start with what you can do! Trust in the creativity and commitment of all members in your religious community, regardless of age, length of membership, or life experience.Encourage & support all who step up!