Are you investing time to develop young leaders? (145-1)

Wise leaders understand that no one can develop the next generation of leaders like the current generation of leaders. Read Ecclesiastes 2:19-21.

When a leader addresses the question, “Who will lead after me”? they increase the probability of sustaining an investment of hard work. Whether seeking to replace leadership in their life mission or maintain a well run organization into the next generation, leaders can find the best chance of success if they invest their talent to train the next generation of leaders.

We often hear the word mentor when it concerns development of future leaders. The word mentor originated in Greek legend where Mentor was a wise and trusted counselor to whom Odysseus entrusted the education of his son. A mentor nurtures, supports, and provides wise counsel. One example of mentoring from the Bible where one leader invested in the next generation of leaders to see the work continue pass their involvement is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8.

Paul, a missionary and leader in the early church, helped found a church in the seaport city of Thessalonica. He was only able to stay with the Thessalonian converts to Christianity for a short period of time before other religious groups forced him to leave the area. Paul understood the crucial role of mentoring future leaders to carry on the work. Paul’s training was so effective that he later wrote to them, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord” (v. 6).

Paul’s ability to develop the next generation of leaders was so effective that the “chain” did not end with the Thessalonians but these leaders became a “model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (v. 7). The work God had assigned to Paul was multiplied by others in the next generation leaders and we still see the results today approximately 2,000 years later.

Do you have some young leaders in whom you are investing heavily to carry on effectively after your leadership ends? As witnessed by the effective transfer of leadership by the Apostle Paul in a short period of time to the Thessalonian leaders it is never too late to start.