Like a lot of people I know in ministry, I first got given an opportunity to exercise leadership in a local church youth ministry. It was here I began to interact with ideas of what it means to be a person of influence, the significance of vision, the impact of momentum, the importance of character, the need to gore in competency, as well as developing teams with healthy chemistry.
Sadly some of our churches are not currently in a position to provide such an opportunity for young people. When this is the case we, I see two possible ways forward. Either to do nothing or to look for opportunities in other initiatives. Our State Youth Camp, now in its third year, is not simply a place where we provide a tremendous canvas for adolescents to find and grow in their faith, it I also a unique environment where leadership development can occur. As an Association we have identified leadership development as one of the six major areas of focus for the coming years and the younger generations are just one group where this needs to occur. Our State Youth Camp allows teenagers and their leaders to develop
Our State Youth Camp, now in its third year, is not simply a place where we provide a tremendous canvas for adolescents to find and grow in their faith, it I also a unique environment where leadership development can occur. As an Association we have identified leadership development as one of the six major areas of focus for the coming years and the younger generations are just one group where this needs to occur. Our State Youth Camp allows teenagers and their leaders to develop
As an Association we have identified leadership development as one of the six major areas of focus for the coming years and the younger generations are just one group where this needs to occur. Our State Youth Camp allows teenagers and their leaders to develop in their skills in at least five major areas.
1. Planning with anticipation
Camps have long been places where churches have seen significant spiritual transformation in the lives of young people. We expect big things from these ‘peak events’ and as leaders we need to make the most of them when they come along. Our planning requires humble and gifted people and must always be soaked prayer
2. Leading with strangers
We don’t always get to lead with people who know well and the longer we are involved in leadership the more this is the case. Our State Youth Camp puts teens and leaders with very little, if any, prior connection and asks them to work together.
3. Creative problem solving
Extended periods of time with people can be fun but it can also create problems. Lack of sleep can make people go a little silly. Plus when you have a couple hundred teens together there’s bound to be the occasional injury. Not to mention changes in weather forecasts. Leadership is about solving problems – sometimes known, often unknown.
4. Wrestling with Ideas
Leaders don’t always agree with one another, but developing the skills to work in partnership with others who have different opinions and convictions is of critical importance for leaders. Our State Youth Camp allows our young people to question what they believe about themselves, the world, and the Bible but for this is be fruitful it requires leadership.
5. Serving under stress
We need leaders who can cope with stressful situations and not simply survive, but thrive. And while it is not our intention to create unnecessary stress, there will surely be moments over the course of the weekend.
What an opportunity! Please be praying for the team as they prepare for the weekend as well as our main stage and workshop speakers. But please also be praying that God will use this weekend to stir and build leaders in our movement.
For more information about State Youth Camp and how your church can be involved, please visit our website www.stateyouthcamp.org.au
