Written by: gfesadmin on October 27, 2012

“Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Most of us agree that there is a dearth of good leadership.  And in an ever-changing global world, peoples’ social, intellectual, spiritual and emotional needs and responses are becoming increasingly complex, requiring new and innovative solutions.  Society has looked up to a few individuals to help tackle these challenges. 

Over the years, research and study has proved that leaders are made not born.  This fact and the challenge of a lack of good leadership has led to the emergence of a variety of leadership development programs at all levels. The Handbook on Leadership Theory and Practice too traces historical roots of leadership development interventions that provide a greater return on investment (location 8738, Nohria and Khurana, 2010)

In reading through the historical and present accounts of leadership development interventions the obvious emphasis is on the ‘how to’. While the ‘how to ‘ of leadership development for those in leadership roles is a subject of great interest and scrutiny with constantly evolving avenues of application, the question of ‘when’ this leadership development actually begins must also be explored to ensure a greater return on investment.  

Also “if we think of leadership as a form of expertise, we can (must) begin to appreciate the long gestation period required to develop leaders” (location 9039, Nohria and Khurana, 2010).  Again since the focus is primarily on ‘adults’ this ‘gestation period’ for development is reduced considerably.  Therefore focusing leadership development only on the ‘how to’ and for ‘practicing adults’:

1. Still leaves us in the crisis management phase

2.  Does not truly address the root of the problem of understanding and addressing leadership gaps and

3. Is not futuristic thinking  

In the Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice, Nohria and Khurana posits, “The best (leadership models) are designed around an understanding that leadership development is a continuous lifelong process, rather than a single event or program.   They deploy more interventions – action, learning, coaching, education, feedback, assessments and formal coaching and they do so more intensely” (location 8776, Nohria and Khurana, 2010). 

I believe a good and possible solution to overcome gaps in leadership development is to focus on children and young people who for the most part are excluded from the process.   Leadership development, therefore, beginning at childhood makes it a continuous life long process that is not restricted to a particular time allows room for a greater variety of experiences over a longer period of time.  With individuals having greater and pertinent roles to play as a leaders in the home, the community and particularly the church (if he or she is a follower of Jesus Christ) empowering them from childhood in decision-making, information and other leadership skills helps develop skilled and godly leaders with the awareness and understanding that their leadership is a “professional calling with social responsibilities” (Nohria and Khurana 2010).  

Intentional investment in children’s lives to groom them as leaders must begin within the education system, in families and particularly in the church.  The focus on child development and nurture should not be seen as an end in itself but must be pursued with the goal of developing each child as a leader.   Such capacity built during the child’s formative years puts them on a trajectory for ongoing growth and leadership development that is sustainable.

My interaction and involvement with Prakash, forever changed my perspective on children’s ministry.   He was 13 years old when I met him and had recently accepted Jesus in his life.   Despite being beaten up by his parents for accepting this new faith, he persisted with great commitment knowing that Jesus loved him more than anyone else.  He shared with me that not only did he stand firm in his faith but led twenty of his friends to Christ.   For the past 10 years I have had the privilege of working with Prakash in his village training, mentoring, providing resources and praying with him.  Today he serves as a youth leader in his church and as a community leader in his village organizing and facilitating transformation initiatives. 

My experience in working with children through the India Gospel League excites me for this very reason that the goal of children’s ministry is not simply to cater to their physical, emotional and or even just spiritual needs but to “Raise Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” for the future rests in their hands. 

Nohria, Nitin, and Rakesh Khurana. Handbook of leadership theory and practice: an HBS centennial colloquium on advancing leadership. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business Press, 2010.

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