NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES.

In response to my recent blog about Equipping the Next Generation, Keith Jennings asked me:

Nigel, what do you hear these prospective next generation leaders asking? What are they hungry to learn? What challenges do they say lie ahead for them?

So I've found some down-time on the road with Third Day, and come up with these thoughts- more about what I see and perceive rather than what young leaders have actually articulated:

1. COMMITMENT ISSUES- it seems that the current generation have a problem committing. Whether that be to a life-partner, a job, a cause, and particularly to a church. It's almost as if they are so wary of commitment, and so used to seeing older people hurt by commitment breakdown, that the next generation of leaders are afraid to jump into a relationship full-on and forever.

2. VIRTUAL INTIMACY- today's emerging leaders are used to having 'friends' by the bucket-load on facebook and a long list of email addresses and phone numbers, but can often resort to 'virtual' online connectivity rather than real in-depth friendship and relationship. Social networking isn't always as 'social' as it appears. Next generation leaders easily slip into 'the worship time' of contemporary songs, but need to avoid the mistake of believing that intimacy with the Lord can be achieved through 30 minutes of worship on a Sunday.

3. BIBLICAL ILLITERACY- I was recently at a meeting of UK Christian leaders where 2 heads of Bible Colleges admitted that the lack of Bible knowledge from their new students each year was frightening. It's never been easier to own a Bible, to find a Bible reading plan, and to have a Bible app. on your computer or phone-yet for all their passion and enthusiasm, many next generation leaders are not reading their Bible with much meaning or depth.

4. CULTURAL CONNECTIVITY- the challenge of being 'in the world but not of the world' is perhaps more difficult now than it ever has been. I marvel at the way many young people are able to engage in society, to maintain friendships with non-believers, without compromising their faith in Jesus. In a constantly changing landscape, next generation leaders must be helped to discern what is culturally acceptable and what is not-even more than that, they must be equipped and enabled to shape culture themselves.

5. LEADERSHIP TRANSITION- next generation leaders (whether they realize it or not) embrace a post-modern leadership dynamic, but are mostly operating within churches or structures that still feature more of a modern leadership style. So I'm teaching the next-generation one paradigm but they may still have to struggle on in an 'old school' situation. In case you don't know what I'm going on about, here's what I mean:

Modern Leadership Mindset	Postmodern Leadership Mindset
Presentation	Participation
Excellence	Authenticity
Performance	Realness
Does it make sense?	Was it a good experience?
Rationality	Mystery/Transcendence
Planning	Preparedness
Program	Relationship
Abstract	Concrete
Consecutive/Linear	Concurrent/Layered

  

Comments

[Keith Jennings]

NIgel,

I sincerely appreciate you taking time to articulate your perspective. It's funny, as a marketing professional and mentor, I'm seeing "virtual intimacy" perceived in customer relationships as well. In other words, young marketers think they've engaged customers in authentic, meaningful ways. And they haven't.

As a Christian writer and Sunday School teacher, your points about Biblical literacy and cultural connectivity connect with my experiences. I'm searching for ways to help emerging leaders not split their personalities - where there's the business persona, the family persona, the Christian persona, etc. And instead, practice the presence of God in everything they do.

Look forward to your future insights!

[Marcaus]

This is such a real issue. The need for genuine leaders with depth of character, knowledge and conviction is immense.

Compromise is so easily arrived at, but often so hard to realise.

Keith - split personalities are something that I have often grappled with. In a position of military leadership there is my game face (not compromising on faith - but distinct from my core person), then at home and church there is my 'real' face - which allows me to be me. Does this mean I am not true to myself in my vocation? Probably not, as life makes demands that require deliberate actions which do not need to be considered right or wrong. But I fully agree that despite these variances in my persona, the presence of God in my daily walk in all circumstances becomes the constancy required of genuine people.

Thank you both for your thoughts on an issue that has been with me for some time. Is there a book in this Nigel?

[Keith Jennings]

Marcaus, I hear you, my virtual friend! No book directly addressing this modern issue jumps to mind. Nigel may have a zinger to recommend. I'm all ears.

I've found the book by Brother Lawrence called "The Practice of the Presence of God" a constant guide for me. His teachings on prayer without ceasing are phenomenal. Check out his bio on Wikipedia - he was pots and pans man.

Post here if you discover something in your search.

[Buy Dissertation]

Whenever i see the post like your's i feel that there are still helpful people who share information for the help of others, it must be helpful for other's. thanx and good job.

[fitflops]

A few small children watched me approach them and started running with me.