1 QUOTE

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

- 1 Timothy 4:12

1 NOTE

For the past few weeks we have been discussing the selection and development of younger leaders. Dr. Stephen Sample ran the University of Southern California with a lieutenant model. He poured into his direct reports, empowering them as the president to run the university. As we consider developing leaders, one factor that is often overlooked is age and the future of the organization. Sample calls this dimension of leadership ‘avoiding age bias.’

Church leadership teams and ministry organizations tend to age with the primary leader. As a leader fills open positions, there is a natural comfortability to appoint lieutenants whose life experience matches the leader. This can quickly morph into hiring people who also match the leader's length of life. Sample writes that his mentors always advised him that when choosing between two roughly equal candidates, he should always choose the younger. Not only does the younger leader bring fresh perspective and cultural vibrancy, but they also protect against senior leadership aging out at the same time.

I remember when I first fell into the ‘age bias’ trap. In our first church plant, we were discussing a promotion for a super-qualified younger leader named Keva Green. We discussed at length the pros and cons of her ability to execute the project vision. After a robust discussion I summarily stated, “We all know Keva is great but she is so young for this leadership role.” Becky then asked me how old I was when I was appointed to a similar position. With great embarrassment, I realized my bias when I said that I was the exact same age. Without realizing it a form of age-discrimination clouded my thinking. I shook my head and admitted my error. And for the record, Keva did a great job! The future of a ministry demands that leadership teams are age-staggered. We must fight against our age-bias and help our ministries get younger!

1 QUESTION

In your sphere of influence, do you know any qualified younger leaders who are ready for a fresh leadership challenge?

Until Next Tuesday,

John