I was not always great at forming student leaders. To be honest I was never sure how to go about it. I would gather a group of students who I thought had leadership qualities and have them share feedback, brainstorm new ideas and plan different events.
At first there was so much momentum, but then after a few weeks people would start to disengage, and those who stuck around would form an exclusive club that was hard to break up or grow. The reason I was struggling to grow student leaders is because I saw it as a program and not a system.
If you want teens to grow in their discipleship and become the next generation of leaders within the Church, you have to:
All of your teens and kids have the potential to lead, they just might not know it. One of the big questions young people wonder is, "What is my purpose?" They'll search for it at school, online, everywhere. The local church needs to be a place where they feel comfortable asking that question, and finding the answer.
Set a vision by teaching them that God has a purpose for their life. Do this through your content, or by hosting nights where teens meet parishioners who lead with a Catholic mindset. Talk to them about the saints, and ask them directly, "Where do you think God is calling you?" That question turns their eyes toward what He's asking of them.
Casting a vision isn't enough. Give teens real opportunities to exercise leadership. When they see their parish as a place they can safely take leadership risks, they build skills and learn to trust the Church as a resource.
Work with your pastor and coworkers on finding opportunities for young people to serve, beyond altar serving. Ask committees to invite at least one or two young people to sit at the table. Encourage your pastor to sit down with some of the young people to share what it's like to lead a parish. Start with two or three areas so it's not overwhelming, then grow from there.
You are an important influence in the lives of young people, but you need to introduce them to other leaders in your church. This equips more student leaders and fosters intergenerational relationships that awaken the parish.
Find adults serving or leading in your parish who are willing to take on one student to mentor. Treat it like an apprenticeship, where all they're asking the young person to do is shadow, ask questions and learn about their role. Check in with the mentor and give them tips on how to accompany the young person. If the mentor is effective, ask them to help you equip other mentors. Start with two or three adults across different ministries who are willing to pass along what they know.
Even a parish that mentors and trains well should look outside its walls. Send teens to a leadership camp like ND Vision or a diocesan experience. It gives them a fresh perspective, connects them to the larger Church, and whatever they learn, they bring home.
Not sure where to start? Reach out to your diocese, the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry, or contact us. It can be overwhelming not knowing where to begin.
Looking at student leadership as a system, rather than a program, frees you up to grow. You don't want to get in the business of hand-picking students, because you don't know who you are missing. Creating a culture of opportunity shows every young person that they have a purpose, and that the Church is a place they can discover it.