What does it take to be a leader with youth? In his simple little book, Next Generation Leader, Andy Stanley said leadership involves five things and they all begin with “C.” This guy is definitely a preacher.

Here is his list:

1. Competence—Stanley suggests that we focus on our strengths and find other people to do the things we aren’t good at. That’s not always easy in a small church. We all have to be the Jack-of-all-trades. But try to spend most of the time you devote to the youth group doing the things you love to do. If you love to teach, get someone else to plan the events. If you love hanging out and loving on kids, start looking for someone else to prepare the lessons.
2. Courage—Stanley says that courage is not the lack of fear but the willingness to act despite our fear.
3. Clarity—Stanley says leaders have to be willing to choose a direction and lead even when the situation is full of uncertainty. Not a bad definition of youth ministry.
4. Coaching—According to Stanley, every leader needs a coach, someone to whom he or she listens. Sometimes it is hard to know how to work with youth. We all need someone to help us process what is happening in the youth ministry and see how our actions are helping . . . or hurting.
5. Character—Here is Stanley’s definition of character: “the will to do what’s right even when it’s hard” (p. 135). Of course, our character is not only revealed by how we interact with youth, but how we handle the relationship with the pastor, how we deal with co-workers at the office, and how we manage our families.

Not a bad list. The fact that someone gave you the job of youth leader at the church doesn’t necessarily make you a leader youth follow. I think students will follow a leader that challenges their thinking, inspires their hearts, and affirms them as human beings. They follow a leader they can trust to love them and tell them the truth. I think Stanley’s short list is worth considering as we seek to be the kind of leaders God has called us to be with young people.