Their eyes lit up with joy as I showed them the new streaming equipment. I told my students to sit down and take the equipment for a ride. Over the last seven months, I’ve been in charge of live streaming Mass at our parish. I knew that running a youth ministry and the live stream would be tough to do on my own, so I built a team. When we started recruiting, there was reluctance, especially from older parishioners. It was our teenagers who stepped up and took the reigns. After months of working with decent webcams, we were able to acquire legitimate equipment. This was no longer an experiment; it was the real deal.
Again, I could not have done this without the four teens who served on the tech team. Not only were they enthusiastic but willing to take risks and even fail. It has not been smooth sailing; in fact, we’ve dealt with software crash, untimely firmware updates, wifi mishaps, and the list go on. But, the teens hung in there, and instead of giving up, they stepped forward. This experience has been a reminder that handing the keys of leadership over to the next generation is essential. And in the midst of a pandemic, this is the perfect time to do that because:
WHAT DO WE REALLY HAVE TO LOSE?
Even before the pandemic, church attendance was declining. People were leaving the Church and searching for meaning and purpose elsewhere. The blessing of this crisis is that it’s allowed the Church to break away from the same old routine and do something new. And when new opportunities arise, so does the need for new leaders.
When a parish or ministry acts like they have nothing to lose, it’s admitting that there is no perfect system. It’s a mindset that allows you to grow, think differently, and move forward no matter what.
TEENS ARE SEEKING PURPOSE AND IMPACT
It’s easy to dismiss a young person’s commitment because we can point out situations when they’ve dropped the ball, not shown up for an event, or done something half-heartedly. The reality is that they are human, and we all make mistakes. However, teens are in the midst of finding purpose. They are waiting for someone to tap them on the shoulder and say, “You got this.”
The teens in your ministry have dreams and ideas. They are looking for a place to test them, and the local church is the perfect opportunity. Whether it’s working with tech, taking on a social justice issue, or leading a team, give them the opportunity by:
- Helping them develop a plan.
- Giving them the tools and resources to succeed.
- Mentoring them through the process and debriefing their progress.
When teens sense the investment you are making in them; they will raise the bar on their productivity. We have to believe that teens will rise to the challenge, and even if they don’t, it’s okay because there is always something to learn.
IT’S TIME TO BE ADAPTABLE AND FORGIVING
Whenever you start something new at the parish or in your ministry, ask teens to be a part of it. Teens will be more understanding and forgiving of missteps and mistakes. They will have less fear of trying something new as long as you give them permission to be creative and fail.
This is the perfect time to let teens lead because they are still growing and changing. Teens are less likely to be stuck in old routines and willing to be a part of something that wants them to be a part of it. While it’s always important to have a team of adults, don’t rule out teenagers. Do not underestimate their abilities or water down their responsibilities.
When you let teens lead, you are not only investing in future leadership but allowing them to challenge you to grow. Teens will ask you questions and introduce ideas that will cause you to look at why you do and what you do differently.
What are you currently doing to raise student leaders in your parish?